Vinyl’s back in such a big way that sound gear company Audio-Technica has brought back a blast from the past with a modern twist: the Sound Burger, a portable record player with Bluetooth connectivity.
40 years after the original Sound Burger device, the new AT-SB2022 edition pays homage to its history through its classic design while adding useful functionality for the 21st century. It can connect to wireless headphones and speakers using Bluetooth technology, providing up to 12 hours of wireless play. The revamped Sound Burger also charges using a USB-A to USB-C cable, although its expected recharge time matches its 12-hour playtime. So, make sure you remember to recharge it with plenty of time before your next listening session
For vinyl enthusiasts, the device uses a belt-drive system capable of playing 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records. Its included tonearm applies stylus pressure via a spring, while the high-precision DC motor maintains stable rotation.
This limited-edition product comes during Audio-Technica’s 60th anniversary, so the company is pulling out all the stops. Each Sound Burger is engraved with a serial number as a mark of its rarity, and it comes wrapped in Echizen washi paper using a traditional Japanese technique, reflective of the brand’s Japanese heritage.
Only a few hundred AT-SB2022 devices are available in Australia, having already sold out across the US, UK, and Europe within 24 hours of each region’s respective launch. The modern Sound Burger is available now on the Audio-Technica website and select retailers for $429.
With vinyl’s renewed popularity and 80s aesthetics back in fashion thanks to the likes of Stranger Things, it’s little surprise to see brands launch tributes to older tech. With Christmas around the corner, a gadget like the Sound Burger could make a great gift for the vinyl lover in your life.
