House of Marley Stir It Up EM-JT000-SB Record Turntable with USB

House Of Marley is a relatively new name in the audio world compared to some of the others on this list, and with the name, great sound is the least we’d expect.

Well, it delivers. The sound is warm and rich, with no interference, crackling or tinniness. The pre-amp built in probably is a good reason for this.

A bamboo plinth will also absorb any sounds which aren’t meant to be heard. Not only this, but it also makes for a strong and sturdy base. Plus House Of Marley are serious about their green credentials, so it is all ethically sourced and recycled. They also have a tree planting policy in place if you buy.

The sound is very capable, and you can turn the pre-amp off if necessary. It is even better when boosted through a speaker, and HoM has plenty on offer. The whole system is simple to set up and get going, too. You get everything you need in the box, such as the cables and instruction booklet.

A big negative, however, is the fact that you don’t get a hardcover. You get a soft case for the turntable, but there is no way to just protect the disk bit in between uses. While this likely kept everything eco and boosted the style stakes for those really bothered about aesthetics, it is a little impractical.

Covering it up will require lifting and placing it within the case. Fine if you can be bothered, or if you feel it’d be fine without as your home is pretty dust-free. But we’d say there are few of you out there in this situation – most turntables we have ever tested are dust magnets. I am sure that even those really concerned about recycled materials won’t have minded some form of acrylic cover alternative.

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