Old-school electronics continue to delight a new generation, with the release of three more colours for the classic Audio-Technica Sound Burger record player. When the Japanese brand marked its 60th anniversary in 2022 with a revival of the clamp-like vinyl spinner, it had an unexpected hit on its hands. The red edition (see our audio tech for one suggestions) sold out quickly, encouraging the company to launch versions in white, black and yellow.
The original Sound Burger dates back to the heady days of the 1980s, and the second wave of audio portability that came hot on the heels of Sony’s first Walkman in 1979. The Sound Burger was the 1980s equivalent of the Dansette, shrinking the mechanism required to play a 12in disc into the bare-minimum design, complete with carrying handle.
The three new colours add another layer of nostalgia to what is already a pretty deep dive into our collective cultural memories, particularly the yellow, with its strong association with Sony’s Sports Walkman series. The Sound Burger has an internal battery that allows up to 12 hours of playback, with USB-C charging as well as Bluetooth connectivity to hook it up to headphones or a portable speaker. There are also standard RCA outputs so you can add the player to a conventional hi-fi set-up.
Whilst there’s undeniable joy at seeing your records spin around outside the Sound Burger’s slim enclosure, purists might baulk at letting their precious vinyl out into the open. It’s also true that today’s raft of portable and compact record players are still a world away from the audio high end represented by companies like Linn, Rega and even Technics.
In an era when a limited-run vinyl edition of a popular album can easily run to three figures, you might therefore want to source sounds for the Burger from attics, thrift shops and yard sales. Nevertheless, if it’s portable pop and pure simplicity you crave, and not ultra-high fidelity, then the Sound Burger is the tempting fast food of turntable design.
Audio-Technica Sound Burger (AT-SB727), £199.99, Audio-Technica.com
-
Jack White's Third Man Records opens a Paris pop-upJack White's immaculately-branded record store will set up shop in the 9th arrondissement this weekend
-
Designer Marta de la Rica’s elegant Madrid studio is full of perfectly-pitched contradictionsThe studio, or ‘the laboratory’ as de la Rica and her team call it, plays with colour, texture and scale in eminently rewarding ways
-
‘Nothing just because it’s beautiful’: Performance artist Marina Abramović on turning her hand to furniture designMarina Abramović has no qualms about describing her segue into design as a ‘domestication’. But, argues the ‘grandmother of performance art’ as she unveils a collection of chairs, something doesn’t have to be provocative to be meaningful
-
Layer conceptualises a next-gen AI-powered device: introducing the PiAPiA, the Personal Intelligent Assistant, is a conceptual vision of how AI might evolve to dovetail with familiar devices and form factors
-
Point, shoot and process with Lomography’s two new colourful Instax camera editionsWith the Pemberley and The Blues editions, the Lomo’Instant Square Glass camera provides stylish and pocketable analogue photography
-
We put the new ultra-compact Dyson Car+Boat handheld vacuum through its pacesA cordless handheld vacuum pitched at a plethora of tasks, Dyson has tasked the new Car+Boat with far-reaching functionality without compromising performance
-
The Century Series, Philips goes retro to celebrate over 100 years of audio innovationDutch audio brand Philips has drawn on its extensive archive to shape the form of the five Century devices, all of which offer stylish ways to enjoy vinyl, radio and more
-
E-ink comes of age: the best new tablets for distraction-free reading and writingWe explore the world of E-ink tablets to find the best device for handwriting input, editing, sketching and light computing duties
-
Loop’s quiet revolution: design-conscious earplugs that really workThe makers of Loop earplugs offer ever-more colourful and functional options to allow anyone to turn life down a little
-
Leica’s SL3-S is its newest camera, an upgrade of its pro-grade full-frame systemPhotographers and videographers are catered for by the Leica SL3-S’ performance upgrades and expanded compatibility
-
Shine on: Yaber brightens home entertainment with two new compact projectorsYaber showcased new projectors at CES 2025 – its first ultra-short-throw device, as well as an ongoing collaboration with the estate of Keith Haring
