The Audio-Techinca Sound Burger Is a Perfect First Record Player

College was peak record collecting era for me. I you were a music lover in the late 2010s, buying records was the trendiest way to show off your taste. The classic dorm room problem was not having enough space (or privacy) to own even a humble turntable and speaker. God, I wish I had this portable record player back then.

The Audio-Technica AT-SB727 Sound Burger would have been a gamer changer for me at 20 years old (if it had existed). The wireless record player is small, recharges via USB-C, and has a built-in carrying strap. It doesn't have an internal speaker, but it is equipped with one 3.5mm jack and Bluetooth for wireless playback. It's the most portable and travel-friendly record player out there, but that's not all. It's also one of the best turntables you can buy for $200. I absolutely love it.

So Just How Does a Portable Record Player Work?

When we say portable, we don't mean a record player you can listen to in the car. Any motion at all will causes records to skip (or possibly scratch) and so they must be played on a flat surface. Because of this the Sound Burger isn't portable in the iPod or Walkman sense (even bumping the device slightly led to skipping), but it is the easiest record player to take over to your buddy's place—or transport from the studio and back each day.

This is perfect if you want to listen to your records on your favorite headphones while you bop around the house. Place it next to you at your desk and then move it over to that trendy piece you have next to the couch when it's time to chill. Or just avoid moving it altogether by connecting to your favorite Bluetooth speakers or headphones.

It's also super easy to use. One button turns the turntable on and off, the other changes the speeds between 33 1/3 and 45 RPM. Before using it, you'll have to remove the rubber grip keeping the secured tone arm in place and unfasten it by unscrewing a cap on the back of the device (where the ports and jacks are located). When you're done, just put the grip back and re-fasten the arm hinge. This prevents the arm from moving and getting damaged in transit. It's also the only real bit of hassle during the process and one of the only major concessions the device makes to be portable.

Aside from that, it's hard to find much else to complain about. Unlike some other devices that try to add Bluetooth to an analog format, the connectivity is flawless. I never once had trouble connecting to a speaker or with audio dropping when I spinning everything from crust punk to The Mountain Goats. And all the while, each soft, fuzzy note of vinyl has sounded good enough for my ears. The Sound Burger goes toe to toe with any of the best budget record players—which ultimately is what it is.

Verdict

The strangest compliment I have for the Sound Burger is that after using it for a while, the name starts to make sense. I'm not joking! It's not serious (first and foremost), but it also encompasses what the device is all about—creating a fun, accessible listening experience. A good burger will never beat a steak dinner for some people, but the best burgers I've had are among my favorite meals ever.

If you're an audio snob looking to gatekeep, you can nitpick all day at the ways the Sound Burger isn't a "true" turntable, and they're right, The Sound Burger is no steak dinner. But as a product it has a clear and defined use case, is priced appropriately for its audience, and works without a hitch. That's more than I can say for most of the gadgets I try around here.

Audio-Technica AT-SB727 Sound Burger Portable Turntable