The Soundstage Is a Surprisingly Solid Turntable Speaker, But the Lack of a Built-in Preamp Feels Like an Oversight

One of the biggest hangups of getting into vinyl for new collectors is actually figuring out how to listen to your records, which is why all-in-one record players became so popular. The trouble is that most of them don't sound very good. Thankfully, more brands are coming up with convenient solutions that sound better, with the benefits of being more space-saving and easier to set up than traditional hi-fi.

Victrola's take is the Soundstage, a new speaker that's designed to sit directly under your turntable. Pros: solid sound quality; versatile inputs including Bluetooth, optical, RCA, and USB-C; comes with a handy remote. Cons: lack of phono preamp; somewhat pricey.

At $330, it's still pricier than all-in-one speakers, but it offers features like Bluetooth connectivity, plus USB-C and optical audio connections. First announced in January at CES, we got our hands on the new speaker to put it to the test.