Review of the Byron Statics Record Player: Features and Benefits

Published Categorized as Turntable Reviews

Are you looking for a reasonably priced suitcase turntable that offers a no-frills record-spinning experience? Have you heard the rumors about the Byron Statics record player and want to know more?

Then step forth and saddle up as we take you on a tour of all the key features of this affordable suitcase record player.

Table of Contents

byron statics record player

The Speeds

If you are at all familiar with the way that record players work (and the features that low-end models are being fitted with) then it should come as little surprise to you that this model is able to spin at three speeds. These are the three main speeds of records that you are likely to find on almost any record player, though it is only recently that the 78 rpm speed has come back into fashion, more as a way of making cheaper models look like better value for money most likely.

The Speakers

Despite their meager size, the two front-facing stereo speakers are able to provide a fairly decent sound. That being said, you should already know by now that just about any model that offers built-in speakers is not going to offer the best sound quality when playing vinyl records, especially when compared to the use of external speakers via a headphone jack.

The bass response is weak here, even for a vinyl record player in this price range – this is to be expected, for if the vibrations were any heavier, they would likely send the tonearm spinning.

The Controls

There are not too many controls to speak of on this portable record player from Byron Statics besides the usual volume knob and a switch to change the speed of the platter. The volume knob doubles as an on/off switch.

ByronStatics Vinyl Record Player, 3 Speed Turntable Record Player with 2 Built in Stereo Speakers, Replacement Needle, Supports RCA Line Out, AUX in, Portable Vintage Suitcase

The Design

This is a classic example of a suitcase turntable with very little else to distinguish it from the rest. Much like the 1byone, this is not bulky or modern but rather relishes in being just enough out of date to be alluring to those who fetishize the past through nostalgia.

That being said, the springs within the chassis are pretty well suited to reducing the influence of external vibrations on the sound through the needle. This alongside the fact that it is wooden and uses a belt drive means you are not so likely to be plagued by stray vibrations.

The Stylus

Speaking of which, let us now draw our attention to the stylus itself. The needles that come with this turntable work, but apart from that they are really no good. Much as with a Crosley or Victrola suitcase turntable, your best bet when buying one is to replace the needle as soon as possible, for the sake of both audio quality and the sanctity of your records.

These are portable turntables for a reason, but they can still offer better sound quality than the one that comes out of the factory if you use a new needle.

The Outputs and the Inputs

Equipped with a 3.5-millimeter jack and an RCA jack, this portable turntable is perfectly able to outsource the audio that it creates to play music via external speakers. After all, those blasted internal speakers can be nothing but a nuisance, especially if you are trying to play more bass-heavy music like dub. Imagine, for example, trying to play a dubstep tune like this one by Mala through those speakers. Preposterous! You would be better off shooting yourself in the foot before embarking on your vinyl journey.

The Cartridge

This turntable comes fitted with a standard Chuo Denshio CZ800. This is a ceramic cartridge that is typically weighted at 2 to 4 grams. Needless to say, at this price range, it is not going to offer the kind of exemplary performance that many audiophiles will be seeking from their equipment.

That being said, you can find this cartridge on plenty of modern turntables – plenty of businesses have chosen to use it as their shining start, despite the fact that it is famous for having a muffled sound and a weak bass response. Weird!

The Tonearm

Just as with the cartridge, the tonearm is one of the most common things that an audiophile is likely to customize and/or upgrade. This is because both can cause considerable damage to your records if left to their own devices. The tonearm can incur undue pressure on a record and damage the grooves over time. The best kinds of tonearms will allow you to adjust the weight accordingly.

This tonearm is pretty bad for this and has been known to drag its heels through the grooves to the tune of 5 grams. Since it is not adjustable, there is really no way of changing this.

The Maintenance

The one saving grace of a record player like this is the fact that it won’t require too much maintenance, unlike larger record players. Still, you must inspect your turntable on a regular basis. Keeping your ears peeled for changes is a great exercise on its own as it keeps your ears astute and well-practiced.

Even though this model is housed in its own case, you should give it a dusting on a weekly basis, though this will depend on how often you use it for musical purposes.

Final Tones

So, there you have it! Hopefully, you are now ready to go out and learn more for yourself.

FAQs Byron Statics Record Player

Is the Byron Statics vinyl record player good?

This depends upon your metric. If you are talking about audio quality, then this and other suitcase record players are far from any sane person’s conception of good.

Is Byron Statics Bluetooth-capable?

Much like the simple aesthetic suggests, this is a limited and minimal suitcase turntable that does not offer Bluetooth functionality, though it does offer RCA outputs for outsourcing the audio to some better speakers.

What are the dimensions of a Byron Statics record player?

This lightweight and so-called perfectly sized turntable is 34.7 long x 25.4 wide x 11.7 centimeters high. This makes it great for travel or for lugging around to intimate parties (whatever that means).

Why is my turntable not working?

This could be for any number of reasons. You really ought to consult a dedicated technician or something, else you will have to diagnose the problem yourself.

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

2 comments

  1. A bit snarky of you answering the FAQs. Not everyone is a bonafide audiophile, nor do they want to be. At this price point, expectations of a $50-$100 diamond stylus or counterweighted tonearms are imaginary at best.

    1. Hey there Bobby,

      Thanks for stopping by even if your correspondence is a little antagonistic. By no means would I suggest that everyone should be an audiophile – it is a cumbersome and thankless life that ends in disappointment. That being said, I will never stand by and say that a suitcase record player is a good thing to by when you could spend a little more and get a decent stereo setup that sounds worlds better. You will find guidance in this realm elsewhere on the website.

      For now, I hope this has been of help, Bobby.

      Robert.

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