When I look at a turntable, I get turned on. I don’t mean this sexually, but there is something about the turntables that I can’t take my eyes off them. And to be honest, it has got a lot to do with how glamorous they look, and little with how amazing they sound. I have seen people lie about buying turntables alluding to the fact that they can’t get the warmth and depth of a vinyl sound out of their head. The truth is, just because a record player looks beautiful, anyone would vouch for it being a hundred times better than a CD player. What brings me to this discussion is Korg’s latest collection which features specialized functionality depending on user preference.
The renowned Japanese audio equipment manufacturer has released a new portable record player collection comprising Handytraxx Play, Handytraxx Tube, and Handytraxx 1bit, each system provides unique features depending on what the user wants to achieve with their vinyl. To put it in the disclaimer, the collection caters to serious audiophiles and not to folks who like buying record players for their aesthetic appeal.
Starting with Handytraxx Play, the $399 turntable is tailored for DJs who enjoy scratching or sampling vinyl in live performances. It comes with built-in crossfader, low-pass, high-pass, and EQ filters, along with a delay effect and a variable-speed looper for recording samples and creating beats. To enhance a DJ’s convenience, the Handytraxx Play control panels can also be flipped, making it ideal for both right and left-handed use.
As per the company, “The Play can be powered by an AC adapter or six AA batteries and features a pair of 2.5-watt speakers for entertaining a crowd without the need for additional equipment. You can also plug in a pair of headphones for a private performance.”
Next, is the Handytraxx Tube. While it would cost a whopping $799, it features an aluminum die-cast platter that uses software to monitor its pitch and speed to maintain a stable rotation and optimize playback. Its tonearm includes an adjustable counterweight, allowing for needle swaps while maintaining proper pressure on your records to extend their lifespan.
This Tube version looks fancier than Handytraxx Play and has an aesthetic appeal to it. The company touts, “Tube uses Korg’s Nutube vacuum tube technology that operates exactly as a triode vacuum tube and creates the same characteristic rich overtones.” Korg further states that the “tube technology adds pleasant harmonics characteristic of vacuum tubes for a rich, immersive sonic experience, while bass and treble controls let you dial in your preferred balance.”
Apart from Play and Tube, Korg also offers its premium model, the Handytraxx 1bit. Priced at $999, the Handytraxx 1bit carries forward the hardware upgrades of the Tube. With Korg’s AudioGate 4 software, Handytraxx 1bit can digitize vinyl to the high-quality Direct Stream Digital (DSD) format. Unlike traditional audio CDs that capture 16 samples 44,100 times per second, the 1bit records single samples 5.6 million times per second, providing exceptional sound quality ideal for archiving.
Also Read: SL-1300G Turntable Features Golden Platter, Looks Good, Sounds Even Better
Looking at the design of the three pieces, it might remind you of Vestax’s Handy Trax turntable. This is because Korg’s updated versions were developed in collaboration with Vestax’s former president and co-creator of the original Handy Trax, Toshihide Nakama. The company hasn’t announced a release date for any of the models but we expect it to hit stores this summer.
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