A Prominent Hi-Fi Brand Just Introduced a Super Affordable Turntable for Aspiring Audiophiles

Kanto Audio is best known for its various lines of bookshelf-sized powered speakers, such as the Ora ($350), Ren ($700) and Tuk ($900), each of which is designed as a “plug and play” system for your desktop, turntable or (in some cases) your TV.

Now, the Canadian audio manufacturer is taking more of a step into traditional hi-fi by introducing its first-ever turntable. It’s both affordable and beautiful, and it’s designed as the perfect partner for one of the brand’s powered speaker systems.

Kanto Audio Obi3

Kanto Audio

Kanto Audio’s Obi3 is an entry-level belt-drive turntable with a built-in phono preamplifier, allowing you to hook it up directly to any powered speaker system or an existing hi-fi system via RCA outputs.

The built-in phono preamplifier is switchable and can be turned off, in case you want to add your own external phono preamp or hook the Obi3 to an integrated amplifier that has a built-in phono preamp.

Kanto Audio

For those who prefer a wire-free setup, the Obi3 also features built-in Bluetooth. This allows you to stream vinyl directly to a pair of powered speakers (or wireless headphones or speakers ) via Bluetooth.

As far as the turntable itself, the Obi3 comes with an Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge, which is already pre-installed and calibrated to ensure a simple setup right out of the box. It also features a weighted aluminum platter, a wood plinth, and an aluminum J-shaped tonearm.

It supports both 33⅓ and 45 RPM records.

Kanto Audio

According to the brand, the Obi3 aims to deliver “a smooth, balanced sound that honors vinyl’s analog heritage while embracing the ease of modern listening.”

Just like its speakers, Kanto Audio’s Obi3 has a clean and simple aesthetic. It comes in three different colored finishes: black, white or green.

Kanto Audio

Price and availability

Of course, the main selling point of Kanto Audio’s Obi3 is price — it costs just $199, making it one of the most affordable entry-level turntables out there.

According to the brand, the Obi3 “marks the beginning of a new Kanto series that reimagines traditional hi-fi for contemporary listeners.”

The turntable will be available for purchase this November. It’s not yet up for preorder on the company’s website, but it appears that you can already preorder it from the Turntable Lab.

Kanto Audio

Kanto Audio Obi3

Kanto Audio’s Obi3 is the Canadian hi-fi maker’s first-ever turntable. It’s a belt-drive turntable with a built-in phono preamplifier (switchable) and Bluetooth, allowing you to integrate into a wired or wireless hi-fi system. Other than its clean and beautiful aesthetic, the main selling point of the Obi3 is price — it costs just $200, making it one of the more affordable integrated turntables out there. According to the brand, it “marks the beginning of a new Kanto series that reimagines traditional hi-fi for contemporary listeners.”

• $199 at Kanto Audio
• $200 at Turntable Lab

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