Any serious vinyl fan will tell you that a good turntable can faithfully capture the tones and warmth within vinyl recordings. A great look comes as a bonus. How does the House of Marley Stir It Up turntable fair in terms of these qualities? I review it here to help you judge that for yourself.
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House of Marley Stir It Up Turntable Overview
The House of Marley Stir It Up turntable is renowned for its eco-friendly design that features a bamboo plinth, an upcycled silicone mat, and recyclable aluminum. Not to mention the dust cover made of Rewind fabric that’s reminiscent of the fabric grandmothers spread over furniture in their living rooms. Customer reviews related to this turntable are generally mixed. While some praise the device for its beautiful design and ease of use, others criticize it for having a complicated set-up process and poor sound quality.
Technical Specifications
These are the turntable’s features:
- Universal AC Adapter
- Aluminum Platter
- Belt driven
- USB to PC recording
- Bamboo plinth
- RCA output jacks
- Replaceable cartridge
- Silicone slip mat
- 2-speed options: 33/45 RPM
- Built-in preamp
The turntable has some nice features that I like, the USB port being one of them. This not only gives the device a modern touch but also enables you to make digital recordings from vinyl. I am confident you will also appreciate the built-in preamp that makes Stir It Up ready to connect with any receiver or external speakers. However, I cannot shake off the idea that the anti-skate mechanism may not work correctly, as reported by some users. If this is true, then the possibility of experiencing tracking issues is very real.
House of Marley Stir It Up Turntable Drive Mechanism
Stir It Up is belt-driven. In this mechanism, a belt attached to the motor pulley spins the turntable’s platter. The belt is meant to absorb shock and ensure motor vibrations don’t interfere with your sound quality. This movement mechanism may be ideal, especially if you are a hardcore vinyl fan who uses turntables for listening to records. DJs mostly prefer the alternative (direct drive) since they are better for scratching.
Is the House of Marley Stir It Up Turntable Automatic or Manual?
This turntable combines automatic and manual characteristics, which is interesting. It has an auto start/stop feature that automatically lifts the tonearm and starts playing your record. The platter also automatically stops spinning at the end of the playback. However, you have to return the tonearm to its resting position manually.
Usability and Portability of House of Marley Stir It Up Turntable
Stir It Up is user-friendly, and most users have an easy time navigating its features. It also comes with simple instructions to help you put it together hassle-free. However, new turntable users may have challenges balancing the counterweight as precision is required to attain the right tracking force.
The device is relatively lightweight. Weighing only 9.04 pounds (or 4.1kg), I believe you can move it from one place to another with no problem. But looking at the turntable, it’s obvious that the vendor designed it for stationary use. It lacks design elements like built-in handles or a portable power option that may make it easy to transport or carry around.
House of Marley Stir It Up Turntable Design & Build
Stir It Up is one of the most polished and coolest-looking turntables I have ever seen. The bamboo plinth that makes up most of the exterior parts is easy on the eyes; its neutral color also allows it to blend well with any room’s aesthetic.
The platter is made of aluminum alloy. Since this metal is not magnetic, the operation is not interfered with. A nice side bonus of the alloy platter is that it looks really pretty with the rest of the matte silver hardware.
Connectivity & Sound Performance of House of Marley Stir It Up Turntable: Decent but…
Might interest you:
The turntable features an AUX connection, mainly in the form of an RCA output. So, you can connect it to external gadgets like amplifiers and speakers using a wired connection. The overall connection quality is subjective as it depends on the cables you use and the input/output capabilities of connected devices.
According to the House of Marley, the turntable creates a classic sound that reveals the true depth of your favorite music. I may disagree here. Yes, the turntable sounds decent, but it doesn’t produce the finer details and clarity associated with higher-end turntables. It can sound a bit muddy sometimes, and there’s some notable tonal distortion when you raise the volume. The good thing is that you can always upgrade the cartridge and phono preamp to enhance the sound quality.
Main Technology Perks of House of Marley Stir It Up Turntable?
The inclusion of a USB port is a plus, as it enables you to connect the turntable to a computer and digitize your vinyl records. Also, the built-in preamp simplifies the connection process by letting you connect the turntable directly to powered speakers.
Pricing
Stir It Up turntable costs $199.98. I find this price to be quite friendly, given its USB conversion feature and eco-friendly materials that offer value to users
How to Setup & Use House of Marley Stir It Up Turntable?
You can follow the steps below to setup and use the turntable:
- Place the turntable on a stable surface once you unpack it.
- The belt is already attached to the platter, so you just have to ensure it’s not twisted.
- Lift the belt over one of the big holes in the platter, hook it around your finger, and put the platter on the base.
- Align the big hole with the spindle, loop the belt around it, and place the slip mat on the platter.
- Uncover the stylus and unclip the tonearm. Ensure you remove the foam protective block under it.
- While the tonearm is still in its resting position, slide the clip back over.
- Put the balance weight on the end of the tonearm, lift it, and place it on the turntable.
- Adjust the balance weight until the arm floats parallel to the turntable.
- Rotate the balance weight to zero, adjust the tracking weight, and use the anti-skate dial accordingly.
- Plug the power cord into the socket and start playing.
- You are good to go!
You can have a richer music experience when you invest in quality external speakers, especially if you are using the turntable in a bigger space. Moreover, ensure you fine-tune the built-in preamp to align with the requirements of the connected audio system.
Overall Impression about House of Marley Stir It Up Turntable?
The turntable generally looks and feels good. The use of eco-friendly materials also sets it apart from turntables within the same price range. But I think more can be done to enhance the sound quality—it’s not the best.
Pros
Some of the turntable’s advantages include a USB port, environmentally friendly materials, a preinstalled cartridge, and simple set-up and use.
Cons
The sound quality is not good, and some users may experience challenges balancing the tonearm.
Who is it for?
Stir It Up is an entry-level turntable, so it’s ideal for newbies rather than advanced audiophiles.
Buy House of Marley Stir It Up Turntable on Amazon
Buy House of Marley Stir It Up Turntable on Ebay
Final Verdict
Stir It Up is certainly worth trying. You are likely to fall in love with its simple and beautiful design, as well as its easy-to-use features. The eco-conscious identity of the brand is something that you will appreciate, too. However, the sound produced lacks detail and can really disappoint advanced audiophiles.
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