1ByOne Record Player Review

Published Categorized as Turntable Reviews

Are you looking to invest in a low-budget yet sturdy all-in-one record player? Have you heard talk about the 1byone and yearned for a 1byone record player review?

Then you are in the right place. Today we will be exploring all of the key features and the ins and outs of the 1byone record player.

Table of Contents

1 by one record player

Key Features

1byone is a technology-centric company who are hell-bent on bringing the world the best in leading technologies and ideas. And what better way to show this than by exploring some of the key features of the 1byone record player?

Speakers

The sound quality from the dual front-facing speakers is surprisingly decent, considering their smaller stature. As with many competitors in this price range and of this size, the sound is relatively quiet compared with larger and more capable stereo systems. Though anyone with any experience in this field should not be surprised by this.

Thankfully, there is the option to outsource the audio to a set of external speakers via the RCA outputs. You can do this should the low volume prove too much of an issue for you.

1 BY ONE High Fidelity Belt Drive Turntable with Built-in Speakers, Vinyl Record Player with Magnetic Cartridge, Bluetooth Playback and Aux-in Functionality, Auto Off

There are even certain models by 1byone that offer a turntable with a set of external speakers along with it. This might be the better option for those who currently only own a Bluetooth speaker. However, the version of the 1byone we have in our sights today does not offer Bluetooth connectivity.

In this sense, this is a so-called classic turntable, something that will no doubt appeal to nostalgia junkies far and wide. And, catering to many of these junkies’ lack of desire to invest in the particulars, this record player also has a built-in phono preamp, offering great sound.

Speed

Sadly, it just is not a given for a record player to cater to all three of the main vinyl record types, both in terms of speed and size. Thankfully, this is one of the exceptions in this price range, able to spin at 33, 45, and 78 rpm without any fuss.

This is a rare enough occurrence as it is, let alone doing it well! Granted, spinning records at 78 rpm is an antiquated and more or less dead format from the beginning of how vinyl records were made. Still, it is always nice to have the option, eh?

Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Black, Hi-Fi, 2 Speed, Dust Cover, Anti-Resonance, Die-Cast Aluminum Platter

Take the Audio-Technica AT-LP60, for instance. This is a stellar turntable for beginners, offering plenty of things to love and being reliable all the while. Many of my friends still use this very turntable with more complex setups, and it works a treat.

But, for all its reliability and capabilities, this thing can only spin at two speeds, 33 and 45 rpm. Oddly enough, being able to play at 78 rpm is a feature that appears in both relatively low-end and high-end models. And occurs comparatively little in the mid-range models.

The turntable market is a strange beast for sure! No wonder many of the masses still stick to consuming their dose of tunes via digital music streaming and the like.

Connectivity

As previously mentioned, this record player is not just an island of great complexity. It can also branch out and commune with other pieces of technology.

The central way to do this is via the dedicated RCA (Radio Corporation of America ) outputs. This will allow you to hook up the turntable aspect to just about any other external stereo system. Or even a set of speakers if they welcome phono.

Amazon Basics 2-Male to 2-Male RCA Audio Stereo Subwoofer Cable - 4 Feet

Thankfully, RCA cables are incredibly inexpensive and often come equipped with whatever piece of kit you are purchasing. Annoyingly, they do not come with this record player. But, as I say, you can pick them up from just about any conglomerate online retailer for a relatively affordable price. Surely you can’t put a price on maximizing your listening pleasure!

If this route is not quite for you, then you can easily just hook your headphones straight in via the headphone jack. This is it in terms of outputs. Take in mind that there is no USB output or wireless connectivity. This is because the 1byone record player is a classic that focuses on style over substance.

However, unlike some modern turntables of this variety, there is the blessed opportunity to jack right in. You can do this by using the built-in speakers as an entertainment system.

This will be very well-suited to the discerning millennial ear who does not want to fully plunge into the world of audiophilia. Who still wants to collect records wants in the 21st century?

Tonearm

One of the most neglected parts of a turntable, the tonearm, is arguably also the most important. Especially when we consider the fact that it is one of the two elements that actually comes into contact with the record.

This tonearm specifically is of note. Unlike some other similarly-priced competitors, it comes equipped with what is called a ‘soft damping control.’ This essentially means that it is fitted with a damper.

The damper helps minimize the effects of warps on the surface of the disc. This caters to the crenellations of a warped record and the record’s groove.

VTA Azimuth Ruler LP Vinyl Record Player Tonearm Cartridge Elevation Alignment Ruler Headshell Block

Those who are really wanting to take their listening experience seriously will use what is called an ‘azimuth ruler.’ This attempts to properly balance and equalize the degree of tracking force and weight placed upon the tonearm. It also ensures that the exact right amount of pressure is placed on a record. This will help it last as long as possible.

The 1byone comes equipped with this kind of technology already. So it is a step ahead of the game. It is perhaps worth noting that the damper will not be able to surf records that have been severely warped. Though it might attempt to do a ruddy good job of it.

Design & Build

For those audiophiles who are also nostalgia junkies looking for another hit, then the 1byone is surely the one for you.

Here, we have a classic look that, though expired at one point, has now swung around back into fashion, believe it or not. And for good reason. The transportability of this piece means that you and a few records can go just about anywhere you can imagine. And, thanks to the built-in preamp and speakers, there is no need for any extras.

This huge selling point is perhaps the second most important reason why these kinds of record players are selling in droves of late.

1 BY ONE High Fidelity Belt Drive Turntable with Built-in Speakers, Vinyl Record Player with Magnetic Cartridge, Bluetooth Playback and Aux-in Functionality, Auto Off

You can surely see how this kind of record player might fit in just about any listening environment! Now, while it might not be as portable as some other suitcase models, it is still a petite enough size that you can transport it in a medium-sized bag and take it just about anywhere you can imagine.

This renders the experience of listening to vinyl into a communal experience once more, as it used to be. Now, all can spin discs wherever they like and hear the poor response of the speakers echo out into the space!

Overall Performance

Now, as with other similarly-priced record players in this area of the world, their overall performance will be good enough. They are certainly ill-equipped to dominate a loud environment. And if they are pushed to play records at these kinds of volumes, then the user ought to expect a considerable dip in audio quality.

As mentioned before, you can obviously set this record player with a set of external speakers. Though this will cost you extra and will make this a far less portable affair. 1byone do have you covered should you choose this kind of route, though.

1 BY ONE Bluetooth Turntable HiFi System with 36 Watt Bookshelf Speakers, Patend Designed Vinyl Record Player with Magnetic Cartridge, Bluetooth Playback and Auto Off

This kind of record player is a lot like what you might expect this type of kit to be. However, there are a few added extras that do set it apart from others in this price range. There is, for example, the dampening of the tonearm. As well as the fact that the player comes with a free plastic adapter to make 7-inch singles playable.

There are, however, some considerable drawbacks, namely the lack of Bluetooth connectivity. Something that can be found on almost every other model of a record player in this price range. This seems to be a real oversight. Especially considering the kind of millennial audience that this type of record player attempt to cater to.

Comparison ft. the Wockoder

Though there are countless other models that we could have chosen to compare the 1byone to, the Wockoder seemed the aptest. It shares many of the same aesthetic features.

Available at a very similar price and offering up a similar roster of features, the 1byone is almost instantly bested by the Wockoder for the former’s lack of wireless connectivity.

Record Player Turntable Vinyl Record Player with Speakers Turntables for Vinyl Records 3 Speed Belt Driven Vintage Record Player Vinyl Player Music Vinyl Turntable

Both are similarly designed and, thus, about as transportable as one another. In this light, the lack of wireless connectivity in the 1byone record player makes even less sense. If Wockoder can do it, why can’t they?

They are both aesthetically similar and offer the same kind of portability. So, they are both, for example lacking in handles and similar weight. This makes it pretty difficult to choose between them.

I imagine this choice will no doubt come down to the issue of wireless connectivity. For some, this really will be a deal breaker, and with good reason. This is the 21st century, after all.

https://youtu.be/60E2yVIs_3g

Sure, plenty will be here for the love of music and record collecting. But this love of music can also extend outwards to other means.

Seeing as these kinds of record players are often marketed toward the millennial nostalgia junkie. So, one has to toe the line between the modern and the vintage in a tasteful way. The Wockoder does this better by offering wireless capabilities.

Final Tones

So, there you have it!

Hopefully, this 1byone record player review has been of some use to you in trying to find your own record player that suits you best.

However, if you want to learn more about vintage record players, you can do some more research and look into some of the best vintage record players out there.

FAQs 1 by One Record Player

Are 1byone turntables any good?

Whether 1byone turntables are any good remains to be seen. But they do work and do a fairly decent job of bringing records to life. They are loaded up with a few interesting extras that set them apart from other similarly-priced turntables and record players.

What is an all-in-one record player?

An all-in-one record player attempts to bring together all of the separate elements of a stereo system into one. Whereas a turntable is simply the part of a stereo setup that spins a record and reads the data. An all-in-one record player attempts to bring the turntable, the preamp, the amplifier, and the speakers all together into one unit.

Are all-in-one turntables good?

While all-in-one turntables are not as good as a dedicated stereo setup, they serve a purpose. And they do it reasonably well. In a dedicated stereo system, each separate part brings forth a specialized character. Which can, in turn, bring about a real finesse to the whole. An all-in-one record player, by contrast, is far less specialized. This is because it attempts to do all of the things simultaneously.

Is 1byone a good brand?

In terms of 1byone’s marketing and brand identity, yes, it is pretty good. It is well-known among advocates and enthusiasts of all-in-one record players and the like. Of course, Crosley and Victrola are the kingpins in this field and have been for some time. Still, 1byone is staying afloat, especially because they are not specifically manufacturers of audio technology, but also manufacturers of many other kinds of appliances.

Is it worth buying a vintage turntable?

Whether it’s worth buying a vintage turntable will depend on the individual circumstances of each user and, thus, will be different based on who you ask. This will suit some just fine, and, in fact, I would encourage many to try out a vintage turntable before investing in a newer one. There are already countless older turntables that have already been produced and that are either in perfect working condition or that need very little work done to them.

By Robert Halvari

My name is Robert Halvari - audio engineer and a total audiophile. I love vinyl because it has that natural character which brings music to life. I've been using and testing vinyl record players for around 15 years and I'm sharing my love and knowledge of vinyl by publishing all I know at Notes On Vinyl

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