As a musical artifact dating back to the 1880s, I’m amazed to see vinyl records—this traditional music medium—experiencing a global surge in sales over the past few years. In an era dominated by digital formats, tangible media still hold a special place, much like the ongoing preference for physical books over e-books. So why has vinyl, a format seemingly destined to fade away, made a comeback in the digital music age? Beyond nostalgia, affordability has played a significant role in this revival. Recently, I was fortunate enough to acquire a CoolGeek turntable, and I’d like to share my thoughts on using it.
Appearance: A Delight at First Sight
Some packages are so highly anticipated that you eagerly await their arrival and immediately unbox them upon receipt—that’s exactly how I felt when the turntable arrived.
After just a few minutes of assembly, the CoolGeek turntable was fully set up. My first impression was that it’s a quality piece—one that breaks away from the bulky designs of the past century, striking a clever balance between retro charm and modern style. Before setting it up, it’s essential to remove the transport securing bolts and ensure the drive belt is smoothly connected.
To me, walnut wood is a hallmark of vintage aesthetics, which is why it’s often chosen for retro-inspired products. The CoolGeek turntable is no exception; its extensive walnut veneer enhances its sense of quality and gives it a timeless appeal with natural wood grain textures that never go out of style. The anodized metal trim with brushed edges complements the adjustment knobs and other details, creating a harmonious visual effect.
To ensure the needle plays smoothly without skipping, the turntable is designed with four large rubber shock-absorbing pads at its base. Naturally, it’s also important to place it on a stable, level surface like a solid tabletop for optimal performance.
The choice of needle largely determines the playback quality, and for the CoolGeek turntable, an original Audio-Technica MM (moving magnet) cartridge is used. With a needle pressure of just 2.5–3 grams, it captures the details of each record with impressive precision. Additionally, you can fine-tune the balance using the counterweight at the end of the tonearm. It’s important to select the correct weight here, as improper balancing can lead to record wear.
The tonearm is made of carbon fiber and is initially locked in place. To begin, unlock the tonearm and carefully rotate it until the needle is positioned directly above the record. Use the lever on the hydraulic lift to raise the tonearm, then lower it gently into place by releasing the lever, allowing gravity to guide it down softly.
Experience: Heavenly Sound, Story by Story
The magic of vinyl lies, I believe, in the gentle descent of the needle by its own weight. As it touches the record and the music begins to play, you’re taken into a realm without progress bars or track indicators, unlike the digital music era. Instead, you simply listen, letting the music flow as the needle journeys through the grooves of the record, filling the room with sound.
The audio input from the vinyl is just one aspect of the playback experience. To truly bring that sound to life, the quality of the output unit is crucial. The CoolGeek turntable features a combination of four speaker units, including two 15W woofers and two 10W tweeters, along with a front-facing bass reflex tube. This setup enhances the low-frequency response, providing a richer and more powerful sound.
If you’re looking for even more, the CoolGeek turntable offers additional connectivity options for audiophiles. A Line Out port on the back allows you to connect an external amplifier or powered speakers, and there’s also a switch to toggle between 33 1/3 RPM and 45 RPM for different record formats.
Although the vinyl record market remains niche, there are still many channels available to purchase the records you want.
So, how does the sound quality actually feel? It’s hard to put into words. Perhaps it’s the emotional resonance embedded in the record, or the synergy of the audio input and output components. The listening experience feels warm and lingering, a truly immersive sensation. It’s not the cold, detached quality you sometimes get with digital music; instead, it feels as though the music is telling a story.
Thanks to the combined effect of the four speaker units, the bass is incredibly powerful and impactful, delivering an impressive punch. Meanwhile, the mid and high frequencies create a surround-like spatial depth that immerses you in a three-dimensional listening experience.
On the playback interface, the pineapple-patterned knob allows you to choose different modes. In addition to vinyl playback, you can switch to Bluetooth mode. In this case, you can select high-fidelity music, and thanks to its full-range sound system and professional-grade amplifier chip, the turntable delivers excellent performance. It efficiently provides low-distortion audio to meet your auditory needs.
Conclusion
Had it not been for this fortunate experience, I would have remained stuck in traditional beliefs, thinking turntables were expensive and hard to maintain. However, it’s clear now that modern vinyl turntables can provide a great music experience at a more affordable price point. The CoolGeek turntable, in terms of material selection and sound quality delivered by its speaker units, is truly top-notch.
Life in the digital age tends to move at a faster pace, and we rarely take the time to truly engage with the things around us. Using the turntable has allowed me to unwind and relax to the fullest during my leisure time, experiencing the nostalgic emotions that vintage products evoke.
