About the Victrola Stream Carbon
Sonos built into a turntable? Yes, please.
The Victrola Stream Carbon has Sonos built in, so you can stream directly to compatible speakers (sold separately).
Sonos built into a turntable? Yes, please.
For years, vinyl lovers had to make a wired connection to a "middle man" component in order to stream music from a turntable to a Sonos system. Now Victrola has partnered with Sonos to bring you the Victrola Stream Carbon — the first turntable with Sonos built in.
It's a good-looking 'table, with a solid black and silver plinth with rounded edges. There's a handsome illuminated dial on the front that lets you control system volume directly from the 'table. And you can always use the intuitive Sonos app for added convenience.
The lightweight, rigid carbon fiber tonearm and vibration-resistant die-cast aluminum platter are marks of quality design. And the included Ortofon 2M Red cartridge reads record grooves with impressive accuracy.
There's an Ethernet port on the back, so you can connect to your existing network, or use the turntable's built-in Wi-Fi. And there are gold-plated RCA outputs for making a wired connection to an existing hi-fi system.
My hands-on experience with the Victrola Stream Carbon
Two things jumped right out at me when I set up and used the Victrola Stream Carbon: it's very sleek and modern looking, and it's incredibly convenient. I added this turntable to an existing Sonos system that included several speakers:
- A Sonos Arc in my living room, with a pair of Sonos One SLs configured as rear surround speakers
- A Sonos One in my kitchen
- A Sonos Beam in my bedroom
There is a built-in phono preamp that issues line-level output via stereo RCA jacks, if you have a two-channel system you'd like to make a wired connection to. But I chose to use the 'table's wireless Sonos connectivity for my demo.
Easy setup, guided by an app
When I opened the box for the turntable, the first thing I saw was a QR code that led me to download the Victrola app. The app helped me set up the 'table and connect it into my existing network and Sonos speakers quickly — then I controlled it via the Sonos app thereafter. I liked that I was able to assign a primary playback zone — the turntable automatically played through my living room setup (Arc and One SL surrounds) as soon as I lifted the tonearm and set it on a track. I could use the Sonos app to add speakers until it was playing throughout the entire house, or isolate the turntable output so it was playing in just the kitchen when someone else was using the TV.
Semi-automatic operation for convenient multi-room playback
When you lift the Stream Carbon's tonearm, the platter starts spinning automatically. When a side has played, and the needle hits the run-out groove, the platter stops spinning on its own. This functionality pairs perfectly with the multi-room expandability of a Sonos system. For example, I tend to make messes when I cook, so my hands are not always clean and dry enough to handle vinyl in those moments when a side ends. I appreciated that the semi-automatic function spared the 'table and the record from unnecessary wear and saved me the frantic routine of hand-washing/drying and running into the next room.
Design touches for vinyl lovers
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention some of the Stream Carbon's finer points. The eponymous carbon fiber tonearm with custom aluminum pivot is a nice touch, and I appreciate the included Ortofon 2M Red moving magnet cartridge on removable headshell. As it just so happened, I had purchased a vintage Weather Report album the same day I set up the 'table, so that disc served as my inaugural spin. It was so delightful to hear the interplay of master musicians at the height of their craft, and to fill the entire house with their music, playing through all my Sonos speakers at once. I proceeded to spend hours exploring other favorites — Prince, Jason Isbell, Fugazi, and more — without losing fidelity as I moved from room to room.
Long story short, this turntable will look gorgeous in your primary listening room. And if you're a Sonos lover, it will sound good in every room with a compatible speaker or player.
If you want to learn more, read my Victrola Stream Carbon turntable review.
Product highlights:
- Featured in our article: Best turntables for 2024
- semi-automatic belt-driven turntable with Sonos streaming technology built-in
- free Victrola app used for initial setup; Sonos app controls vinyl playback and zone groups
- Sonos source only; does not appear in app as an assignable Sonos zone
- anti-resonant die-cast aluminum platter
- straight carbon fiber tonearm on custom-engineered aluminum pivot
- Ortofon 2M Red moving magnet cartridge on removable headshell included
- solid aluminum and MDF plinth
- built-in phono preamp with line-level output
- turntable must be connected to a standard line input (labeled AUX, CD, or TAPE)
- do not connect to an outboard phono preamp or an input marked PHONO
- adjustable anti-skating and counterweight
- speeds: 33-1/3 and 45 rpm
- built-in Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) for connection to your home network
- illuminated volume control knob
Connections:
- gold plated RCA output with ground for making wired connection to an existing hi-fi system
- Ethernet port provides a hardwired network connection
Performance specs:
- frequency response (with included cartridge): 20-20,000 Hz
- wow and flutter: less than 0.175%
Dimensions and warranty:
- 16-15/16"W x 4-3/16"H x 15-1/8"D
- weight: 13.2 lbs.
- warranty: 2 years (1 year for included cartridge)
- MFR # VPT-3000
What's in the box:
Victrola Stream Carbon owner's manual
- Turntable (tonearm pre-installed)
- Headshell with Cartridge/Stylus
- Platter
- Belt (pre-intstalled on platter)
- Mat
- 45 RPM adapter
- Counter-weight
- Protective cover
- 6' AC power cord
- Quick Start Guide
- Instructional Manual
- "Register & Save" card
Featured video:
Customer reviews for Victrola Stream Carbon
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More details on the Victrola Stream Carbon
Features & specs
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Color | Silver | |
| Operation | Semi Automatic | |
| Speeds | 33-1/3, 45 | |
| Drive Type | Belt | |
| Pitch Control | No | |
| Phono Preamp | Yes | |
| USB Output | No | |
| Bluetooth Built-In | No | |
| 45 RPM Adapter | Yes | |
| Audio Cable | Detachable | |
| Power Cable | Detachable AC Cable (2-pole) | |
| Materials and Construction | ||
| Plinth | MDF/Aluminum | |
| Platter | Aluminum | |
| Tone Arm Shape | Straight | |
| Tone Arm Material | Carbon Fiber | |
| Tone Arm Lift | Finger, Lever | |
| Cartridge Info | ||
| Included Cartridge | Ortofon 2M Red | |
| Cartridge Type | MM | |
| Removable Headshell | Curved | |
| Tracking Weight | 1.8 g (18mN) | |
| Frequency Response | 20-20,000 | |
| Output Voltage | 5.5 | |
| Load Impedance | 47,000 | |
| Load Capacitance | 150-300 | |
| Audio Specs | ||
| Signal to Noise Ratio | Not given | |
| Wow and Flutter | 0.175 | |
| Dimensions and Warranty | ||
| Width (Inches) | 16.9375 | |
| Height (Inches) | 4.1875 | |
| Depth (Inches) | 15.125 | |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs. | |
| Turntable Parts Warranty | 1 Year | |
| Turntable Labor Warranty | 1 Year | |
| Cartridge Parts Warranty | 1 Year | |
| Cartridge Labor Warranty | 1 Year | |
Product Research
Features
2-Speed Belt Drive Turntable: The Victrola Stream Carbon (VPT-3000) is a semi-automatic belt-drive turntable with 2-speeds. You can choose between 33-1/3 or 45 RPM (adapter included).
Note: The platter belt will need to be installed.
Semi-Automatic Operation: At the end of the record playback, the Victrola Stream Carbon (VPT-3000) turntable automatically lifts the tonearm, stops rotation of the record, and returns the tonearm to the tonearm rest. You can also stop record playback manually and return the tonearm to the tonearm rest manually. You will still need to manually place the tonearm on your record to begin playback.
Note: The tonearm may not return to the tonearm holder automatically depending on the record. In that case, move the tonearem back to the tonearm rest manually.
Low Resonance Construction: Made from premium materials, the Victrola Stream Carbon (VPT-3000) features a low-resonance plinth & platter. The plinth is constructed of MDF, aluminum and plastic. The included platter is constructed of solid aluminum. A silicone mat is also supplied. The turntable sits on four non-removable rubber feet to help isolate the turntable from the mounting surface in order to prevent unwanted vibration and distortion.
Carbon Fiber Tonearm: The Victrola Stream Carbon (VPT-3000) turntable features a carbon fiber tonearm with a custom-designed aluminum headshell, plus an adjustable counterweight and anti-skate knob for accurate tracking. The easy-to-adjust tonearm counterweight provides the perfect downforce for dynamic frequency response and increased clarity.
Note: The headshell must be installed onto the tonearm.
Ortofon 2M Red MM Cartridge: The Victrola Stream Carbon (VPT-3000) turntable comes with an Ortofon 2M Red MM cartridge featuring a bonded Elliptical diamond stylus. The 2M Red is an "all-purpose" MM cartridge known for it open, dynamic sound. The 2M Red cartridge features Ortofon's trademark split pole pins; an invention which enables moving magnet cartridges to have a flat frequency response. It also incorporates an improved engine to provide optimized sound reproduction and a high level of sonic accuracy.
Note: The Ortofon 2M Red MM cartridge is pre-installed on the included headshell.
Wired or Wireless Network Connectivity: The Victrola Stream Carbon (VPT-3000) offers wired and wireless network connectivity for integration with a Sonos music system. The turntable is outfitted with an Ethernet RJ45 LAN jack (10/100) for a hardwired connection to your network router. It also features 2.4/5GHz Dual-Band WiFi (802.11ac) for a wireless connection to your network router. Use the Victrola Stream app (for Apple iOS 15.0+ and Android OS 6.0+) for WiFi network setup.
Works With Sonos: The "Works with Sonos" badge certifies products that seamlessly integrate and connect with a Sonos music system. The Victrola Stream Carbon (VPT-3000) has been certified by the "Works with Sonos" program, ensuring that the integration meets Sonos' highest standards. The Victrola Stream Carbon (VPT-3000) turntable brings record lovers seamless connectivity to their Sonos music system for a wireless vinyl listening experience. Just like any other source on the Sonos S2 Controller app for (Apple iOS 14.0+ / Android OS 8.0+ / Fire OS 7.0+ / Mac OSX 10.11+ / Windows 8+), the Victrola Stream turntable can play through any zone you have set up without the fuss of additional cables or adapters. Simply plug in, power on, and drop the needle on the turntable to enjoy your favorite records through your Sonos music system.
Note: Because it is only a playback source and does not have a built-in amplifier or speaker, the turntable does not appear in the Sonos S2 Controller app as an assignable zone, but can be played back in any zone of your Sonos music system.
Victrola Stream App: The Victrola Stream app (for Apple iOS 15.0+ and Android OS 6.0+) provides easy setup and connects the Victrola Stream Carbon (VPT-3000) turntable wirelessly to your Sonos system. Once set up, the turntable fully integrates with the S2 Controller app, and the illuminated control knob provides tactile, centralized volume control for your entire Sonos system and playback groups. Use the Victrola Stream app to set default Sonos playback zones, enable auto-play, adjust turntable settings, and more.
Built-In Phono Preamp with Stereo RCA Output: The Victrola Stream Carbon (VPT-3000) is equipped with a built-in Phono preamp and stereo RCA output that allows you to connect the turntable to non-Sonos speakers and amplifiers. The turntable should always be connected to a line-level input (not Phono input). Using the Victrola Stream app, you can change the RCA Output Mode & RCA Delay.
- Simultaneous Mode: In Simultaneous mode, the RCA output will always send audio to external speakers, even if playing wirelessly to a Sonos system. Use the turntable's RCA delay setting to adjust the delay of the RCA output to match the audio signal delay to your Sonos speakers.
- Switching Mode: In Switching mode, the RCA output will be paused whenever the turntable is playing wirelessly to a Sonos system. For Switching mode, it is recommended to disable the turntable's autoplay features and switch between wired speakers and default Sonos speaker/group using the 3-way rotary knob (press-and hold for 1 second).
Note: The built-in Phono preamp is always on, so the the Victrola Stream Carbon (VPT-3000) always needs a line-level RCA input and cannot be connected to a dedicated Phono input.
Detachable AC Power Cord: The Victrola Stream Carbon (VPT-3000) comes with a detachable 6' AC power cord (C7/2-prong) that plugs into the back of the turntable and into an AC wall outlet or surge protector/line-conditioner (sold separately - see Accessories Tab).
Protective Cover: The Victrola Stream Carbon (VPT-3000) comes with a protective cover to guard again dust and debris when the turntable is not in use.
- Dimensions Without Protective Cover: 16.9375" (w) x 4.1875" (h) x 15.125" (d)
- Dimensions With Protective Cover: 16.9375" (w) x 4.625" (h) x 15.125" (d)
Note: The protective cover cannot be utilized during record playback.
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Customer Q&A
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Getting the Victrola up and running was fairly easy even for an old guy like myself. Sometime it's just dumb luck and I finally get everything working properly. I have a complete Sonos Arc home theater system and the Victrola Stream is the cherry ?? on top.
John from Lacey, WA