Victrola Stream Onyx Review – Check What It Can Offer

Electronics

Victrola Stream Onyx comes with stylish matte-black design, built-in Sonos integration, and easy plug-and-play wireless streaming. It offers the warmth of vinyl with the convenience of a smart home setup. Whether you’re a casual listener or a dedicated audiophile, the Onyx blends retro charm with modern functionality for a seamless audio experience.

What Victrola Stream Onyx Offer?

  • The Victrola Stream Onyx features built-in Sonos integration for wireless streaming to play vinyl directly to Sonos speakers without additional cables or equipment.
  • Victrola Stream Onyx has an aluminum tonearm with adjustable counterweight for precise tracking, reducing distortion and improving sound clarity from your records.
  • It features an Audio-Technica VM-95E cartridge, providing rich, detailed playback with warm tones and high-fidelity audio.
  • The Victrola Stream Onyx has dual connectivity with Wi-Fi and RCA outputs for a versatile setup.
  • Victrola Stream Onyx features a belt-driven turntable system for smoother operation, which helps isolate motor noise and deliver cleaner, more accurate audio.
  • It features an illuminated control knob for simple playback and volume control to provide easy and intuitive handling even in low-light environments.
  • The Victrola Stream Onyx has over-the-air firmware updates for future enhancements to keep your turntable up to date with the latest features and improvements.
  • Victrola Stream Onyx has a die-cast aluminum platter and anti-resonance plinth for stable playback and enhance overall sound performance.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Seamless Sonos integration
  • High-quality Audio-Technica cartridge included

  • Elegant, minimalist design

  • Easy setup with the Victrola Stream app

  • Dual connectivity (Wi-Fi and RCA output)

  • Updatable firmware for long-term use

  • Intuitive control knob with illuminated feedback

Cons
  • No Bluetooth support
  • Manual tonearm lacks auto-return

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Comparison

Feature Victrola Stream Onyx Victrola Stream Carbon Audio-Technica AT-LPW50PB
Cartridge AT-VM95E AT-VM95E AT-VM95E
Tonearm Aluminum, manual Carbon fiber, manual Carbon fiber, manual
Wireless Connectivity Yes Yes No
Platter Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Audio Output RCA + Sonos (Wi-Fi) RCA + Sonos (Wi-Fi) RCA only
Speed 33 1/3, 45 RPM 33 1/3, 45 RPM 33 1/3, 45 RPM
Firmware Updates Yes Yes No
Build Color Matte black Glossy black Glossy black
Weight ~13.5 lbs ~13.5 lbs ~11 lbs
Price Check Stream Onyx Price Check Stream Carbon Price Check AT-LPW50PB Price

FAQ

Does the Victrola Stream Onyx work with Bluetooth speakers?
No, the Stream Onyx is designed specifically to work with Sonos systems over Wi-Fi. It does not support Bluetooth output.

Can I use the Victrola Stream Onyx without a Sonos system?
Yes, it has an RCA output so you can connect it to any traditional speaker or amp that supports analog audio input.

Is the cartridge upgradeable?
Yes, the included Audio-Technica VM-95E cartridge can be upgraded within the same VM95 series, making it easy to improve performance over time.

Does it have an automatic tonearm return?
No, the Victrola Stream Onyx features a fully manual tonearm. You need to place and return it manually after each use.

How is this different from the Victrola Stream Carbon?
The main difference is the tonearm material—Stream Onyx uses aluminum while Stream Carbon uses carbon fiber, making the Carbon slightly more premium.

Does it support 78 RPM records?
No, it only supports 33 1/3 and 45 RPM speeds.

Is there a built-in preamp?
Yes, it comes with a built-in phono preamp, allowing direct connection to powered speakers or Sonos systems without extra equipment.

How easy is it to set up?
Setup is very easy—just connect to the app, link to your Sonos system, and start playing records in under 10 minutes.

Can I control the volume through the turntable?
Yes, the illuminated knob lets you control playback volume directly when connected to Sonos.

Does it come with a dust cover?
Yes, the Onyx includes a hinged dust cover to protect the platter and tonearm when not in use.

Is the sound delay noticeable when streaming over Wi-Fi?
No, latency is minimal and not noticeable for casual listening thanks to optimized Sonos streaming.

Can I stream to multiple Sonos speakers at once?
Yes, you can group Sonos speakers and stream vinyl audio across rooms simultaneously using the Sonos app.

Is it compatible with Sonos Era 100 and 300 speakers?
Yes, it works with all modern Sonos speakers, including the Era 100 and 300 models.

Does it require the Sonos app for setup?
Yes, initial setup requires the Sonos app to link the turntable to your Wi-Fi and speaker system.

What kind of records work best with this player?
The Victrola Stream Onyx plays standard 12-inch and 7-inch vinyl records and works best with clean, undamaged records for optimal sound quality.

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