Looking for an all-in-one turntable system that can handle both the vinyl world and the demands of a modern-day music system?
Over the past month, I’ve had the pleasure of testing out Victrola’s new V1 record player, and let me tell you, it made quite the impression!
Twenty-first-century style meets convenience with this exceptionally versatile system.
The V1 Music System manages to retain an easy-to-use interface while still offering a full parade of features like Bluetooth streaming, an adjustable counterweight, and a wireless subwoofer.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg with this hands-on review…
At a Glance…
- A 2.1-CHANNEL TURNTABLE MUSIC SYSTEM - Experience powerful audio with the Victrola Premiere V1 Soundbar Turntable & the S1 Powered Subwoofer bundle - a complete record player stereo system that...
- 2-IN-1 TURNTABLE WITH SPEAKERS - A premium vinyl record player with built-in internal stereo speakers & Bluetooth, the Victrola Premiere V1 Sound Bar Turntable supports playback from 33-1/3 & 45 RPM...
- POWERFUL, CLEAR BASS - With a 6.5" forward firing woofer paired with a 6.5" down-firing passive radiator enclosure & a 70W amplifier, the Victrola Premiere S1 Powered Subwoofer delivers bigger, deeper...
What I like: Stylish and intuitive design
What I don’t like: Dust cover is not completely sealed
Standout Features
- Easy to set up
- Adjustable wireless subwoofer
- Includes an IR remote control
- Pre-installed needle
My Verdict: The Victrola Premiere V1 Music System is a fantastic all-in-one record player that amps up the sound quality with impressive stereo clarity and hearty bass from the subwoofer. Its modern features and versatility make it appealing, although I did miss some turntable features like an auto stop at the end of the vinyl record.
Who is the Victrola V1 Music System Best Suited To?
The V1’s contemporary design makes it perfect for someone looking to enjoy music both digitally and in a vinyl format.
Crisp stereo output and the addition of a subwoofer puts it in good stead for beginners and semi-experienced vinyl collectors alike.
After I spent time juggling the system between its vinyl playing functionalities and its Bluetooth streaming, I can confidently say that it is well-suited to customers wanting more flexibility out of a common record player setup. It handles the quick mode switches with ease and can take you from spinning classics on the platter to streaming techno from your smartphone in just a few moments.
The classy dark color scheme and wood accents are a dream for someone on the hunt for a music system that compliments any room. Victrola struck the perfect balance between modern and vintage.
A no-fuss record player that doubles as your movie night staple. It does everything it should, and some more…
Features & Benefits of the Victrola V1 Soundbar System
Turntable Quality
Even though this music system knocks it out of the park in terms of being a multi-use unit, you’re probably looking into an all-in-one record player for its record-playing capabilities.
The turntable is loaded with a metal platter and topped with a silicone slip mat for added grip. The slip mat is a nice touch with a high-end feel but I was happy to see that I didn’t even need it. With my records placed directly on the metal platter, it still plays like a dream.
The entire custom aluminum tonearm sports a seamless all-black finish. Of course, the way that it functions is more important than how it looks but I can certainly appreciate the attention to detail in the design here.
The tonearm is wonderfully lightweight and while tracking force on your records is not solely dependent on the tonearm mass, it does give me some peace of mind that the needle is very unlikely to accidentally carve pieces out of my beloved records.
The only downside to this is that it doesn’t feel particularly sturdy, so one would need to handle it with care. However, since the tonearm is designed as one unit with the cartridge, the tonearm mass and cartridge specifications are perfectly compliant with each other; another thumbs up.
Sometimes, one of the trade-offs of an all-in-one record player system is the exclusion of tracking force adjustments, but not in this case. Victrola has rigged the tonearm with not only an adjustable counterweight but also an anti-skate dial.
I was over the moon to have full control over these and had my tracking force sorted in a matter of seconds.
Victrola has paired the tonearm with its first-ever high-performance VPC-190 MM cartridge with a pre-installed needle.
I have a lot of respect for brands pushing boundaries and releasing original designs for their systems. I did also appreciate that this was completely set up and ready to go from the box.
Sound Quality
From the get-go, I was impressed with the volume output. It’s not every day that you find yourself turning the dial down instead of up when you’re trying to get a feel for the sound.
When I tested the turntable with my favorite Creedance Clearwater Revival record, I was happy to hear the tonal warmth coming through.
And when I switched between using just the stereo output and then including the subwoofer, the difference was night and day. The subwoofer adds a depth that makes the vinyl come to life.
I played around with the crossover dial, which has a range of 30Hz to 200Hz, and while I’m a fan of having the option to blend your acoustics exactly to your liking, I kept the dial almost exclusively in the mid-range.
So, it’s not a feature that I found myself needing to fiddle with very often.
Overall, the sound quality is well-rounded and an excellent option for several different uses. High notes came through nice and clear for dialog when I hooked it up to my TV and played a few episodes of The Office. And its performance throughout my binge-watching of Transformers was magnificent, including the bass-heavy explosions.
For a stereo and subwoofer combination, it was surprisingly immersive. And I was genuinely happy with how my rock vinyl sounded.
Setup
The speaker part of the setup is super simple; just plug in and follow the instruction on the quick setup guide board to connect the wireless subwoofer to the turntable.
Even the turntable setup was quick. All you need to do is remove the plastic cover from the cartridge as well as the foam blocks keeping the tonearm in place and you need to set up the belt on the platter.
The belt setup may seem intimidating for people new to vinyl but Victrola has made this super easy by attaching a blue ribbon to the belt on the underside of the platter. So, you simply place the platter, line up the platter holes with the motor pulley and pull the blue ribbon outwards to hook it around the motor.
The only thing that I found unpleasantly fiddly was the battery cover on the remote control. The arrow slider and hinge mechanism were a bit tricky to get right. Other than that, everything was seamless.
Multiple Connection Options
You can connect the system in multiple different ways to different devices. If you’re using the V1 system as speakers, you can connect with Bluetooth or TV/Optical cables that are provided.
I found myself sticking to Bluetooth since the connection was unwavering and it had a very decent connection distance.
If you want to connect the turntable to alternative speakers or headphones, you can use the 35mm headphone jack or their Vinyl Stream Technology to wirelessly stream your vinyl to another set of Bluetooth speakers.
Switching between these modes was as easy as pressing the volume/power button and listening for the audio voice to tell me which mode I had selected, or using the Victrola logo button on the remote control to jump between the options.
IR Remote Control
As mentioned, the main logo button can be used to switch between different connection modes, while the plus and minus volume buttons do exactly what you would expect.
I did appreciate being able to adjust the volume without walking over to the system, especially when watching movies, but it is the kind of thing that could easily get lost in “The Valley of No Return” (the gap between my couch cushions).
Limitations of the Victrola Premiere V1 Music System
Open Dust Cover
The dust cover has open sides which means that you can’t keep the dust cover down when you are using the turntable.
While the design is aesthetic, the open sides are just not practical because the holes in the cover allow plenty of dust to collect.
Inseparable Cartridge
The tonearm on this turntable is an original design that is combined with the cartridge, meaning that you can’t remove the cartridge as an individual component. So, if your needle is worn or your cartridge is faulty, you may have trouble replacing that singular part.
Popular Questions About the Victrola Premiere V1
Does the Vinyl Stream Technology Work with Bluetooth Headphones?
The Vinyl Stream Technology allows you to stream your vinyl to any Bluetooth speaker, including Bluetooth headphones. Other wireless capabilities include one being able to connect their device via Bluetooth and using the V1 Music System as an audio setup.
Can it Play Vinyl at 45RPM?
The V1 Music System supports both 33RPM and 45RPM which can be toggled with the switch on the back of the turntable. In addition, the system comes with a 45RPM record adapter.
Can You Adjust the Volume of the Subwoofer?
The wireless subwoofer allows one to adjust both the volume of the speaker as well as the crossover frequency. The volume of the main turntable speakers is adjusted separately by rotating the volume dial/power button.
Can the Dust Cover Be on While Playing a Record?
The dust cover is a pick-up-and-place design and not a hinge design. Therefore, it cannot be placed on the turntable while a record is being played.
Fantastic Multi-Tasking Audio System
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use all-in-one music system that offers the bonus of transporting you to the good old days with a fully-equipped record player, the Victrola Premiere V1 Music System is a strong contender.
While it may not give much in terms of being able to upgrade your vinyl setup with individual components, it is packed with a plethora of other features that make it a flexible system as a whole.
From listening to my vinyl collection as I prepared dinner to hosting movie nights, the convenience of this music system in my lounge was unmatched.
Further Reading:
- 8 Best Beginner Record Players In 2024 (Across Multiple Budgets)
- Best All In One Stereo System With Turntable (Across Multiple Budgets)
- 8 Best Bluetooth Record Players In 2024 (All Budgets)
- 5 Best Vintage Turntables In 2024 (Modern Meets Retro)
- 7 Best Turntables Under $1000 In 2024 (Vintage, DJ & Self-Contained)
For me, music is a form of magic. It has the ability to transport you to another time and place with just a few soft notes, drifting on the wind. It can invoke joy, excitement, sadness and even fear. Music can strengthen communities and bridge cultural differences. Our lives are truly enriched by the music entwined within them and I look forward to helping make your musical journey a magical one.