Korg is a reputation that sometimes brings to thoughts synths, keyboards and production tools, however forward of NAMM 2025, the corporate introduced new turntables. These aren’t simply your typical shelf-bound, plugged-into-speakers vinyl spinners although. Below the Handytraxx model, Korg will quickly supply transportable turntables for listening, archiving and DJing, and a few are geared up with the corporate’s Nutube vacuum tubes.
The collection of turntables will get its identify from the unique Useful Trax from Vestax. Korg says former Vestax president and co-developer of that OG mannequin, Toshihide Nakama, was working with the corporate on “an all-new type of file participant.” Nakama handed away in 2023 throughout the growth of the Handytraxx Play, however Korg continued to merge its digital processing and audio tech with “the spirit” of the Useful Trax.
The Handytraxx Play ($400) is the DJ-focused member of the group and seems to be prepared for the plenty after a cameo at NAMM final 12 months. Designed for scratching, the turntable is provided with a Nakama-designed fader in addition to three sorts of filters, delay, playback management and a built-in audio looper. The tonearm was made to reduce needle skipping and the belt-driven motor has digital rotation correction to maintain issues in verify. The Play helps each ceramic and MM cartridges (some soldering required to swap them) and Korg means that you can flip the management panel for right- or left-handed configurations.
In case your vinyl behavior is extra listening than scratching, the Handytraxx Tube ($800) “bridges the hole between fashionable comfort and analogue fascination,” in accordance with Korg. This mannequin will get its identify from the tiny Nutube vacuum tube that lends its energy to the phono amplifier and its heat to the general sound. A die-cast aluminum platter, balanced tone arm and MM cartridge function the primary elements. Bass and treble controls are proper on the deck and there is a devoted knob for fine-tuning the Nutube’s output. And if you wish to convert your data to digital information, the Tube connects to a pc by way of USB for that objective.
There’s additionally a particular version of the Handytraxx Tube that Korg calls the Handytraxx Tube J ($1,200). This mannequin seems to be similar to the Tube, however it’s geared up with a JICO Clipper MM Cartridge. “The cartridge’s distinctive design balances the middle of gravity between the left and proper channels, whereas its Tapered-S Cantilever ensures correct vibration copy, creating a really immersive Hello-Fi soundstage,” Korg explains. In different phrases, that is an possibility for audiophiles in of the group.
Lastly, the Handytraxx 1bit ($1,00) is what Korg calls the flagship mannequin within the new collection. The corporate explains that this unit blends high-quality playback with 5.6 MHz/1-bit recording for archivists. The 1bit works with Korg’s AudioGate 4 high-res audio conversion software program after you join the turntable to your pc by way of USB. That full setup helps each recording and playback in 5.6 MHz and a pair of.8 MHz DSD along with PCM codecs as much as 192 kHz/24-bit. The Handytraxx 1bit has a JICO J44A 7 MM cartridge and, just like the Handytraxx Tube, there is a built-in Nutube. As is the case on that extra inexpensive mannequin, there are bass, treble and tube controls proper up high on the 1bit model.
Like I discussed, your complete Handytraxx collection is transportable because of built-in 2.5-watt audio system. You possibly can energy them with included AC adapters or make use of six AA batteries for a real on-the-go equipment. There are applicable inputs and outputs on every mannequin in order for you a stationary setup, together with an on/off change for the audio system.
The Handytraxx Play, Tube and 1bit are scheduled to reach in Might with the Tube J following in June. All 4 are at present accessible for preorder from B&H Photo.
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