Design and Build Quality

The Rekkord Audio F300 turntable’s design and build quality are undoubtedly its strongest assets. From the moment you hold it in your hands, you can feel the attention to detail that has gone into crafting this fully automatic deck.

The F300’s chassis is constructed from a sturdy MDF material, which provides a solid foundation for the platter and tonearm. The matte black finish gives the turntable a sleek and modern aesthetic that will appeal to audiophiles of all ages. The buttons and controls are neatly arranged on the top panel, allowing for intuitive operation.

One of the standout features of the F300’s design is its generously sized platter, which provides ample room for your records to spin freely. The platter itself is made from a high-quality glass material that helps to minimize vibrations and resonance. The tonearm is similarly impressive, with a sturdy construction and a soft-touch control that makes it easy to lift and lower.

Overall, the Rekkord Audio F300 turntable exudes a sense of quality and attention to detail that is rare in its price class. While there may be some minor areas for improvement, the F300’s design and build quality are truly exceptional.

Sound Quality and Performance

The Rekkord Audio F300 turntable’s sound quality and performance are where it truly shines. With its frequency response ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, it is capable of accurately reproducing music across a wide range of frequencies. Bass Response

One area where the F300 excels is in its bass response. The turntable is able to produce deep, rumbling lows that add weight and depth to the music. This is particularly noticeable when listening to genres such as jazz and classical, which often feature prominent low-end instrumentation.

  • Example Track: John Coltrane’s “My Favorite Things” (from the album “My Favorite Things”) features a prominent bassline that the F300 handles with ease.
  • Result: The turntable’s ability to reproduce the deep notes of the upright bass adds a level of depth and complexity to the music, making it feel more engaging and immersive.

Midrange Clarity

Another area where the F300 impresses is in its midrange clarity. Vocals and instruments are reproduced with remarkable accuracy and nuance, allowing listeners to pick out individual details in even the most complex musical arrangements.

  • Example Track: The Beatles’ “Revolution 9” (from the album “The White Album”) features a cacophony of sounds and voices that the F300 is able to render with remarkable clarity.
  • Result: The turntable’s ability to accurately reproduce the intricate details of the track adds to its sense of atmosphere and immersion, drawing listeners in and refusing to let them go.

High-End Detail

Finally, the F300’s high-end detail is also worthy of note. Cymbals and other high-frequency elements are reproduced with remarkable precision, adding a level of sparkle and shine to the music.

  • Example Track: The Who’s “Baba O’Riley” (from the album “Who’s Next”) features a prominent guitar solo that the F300 is able to reproduce with remarkable detail.
  • Result: The turntable’s ability to accurately capture the high-end details of the track adds a level of energy and excitement to the music, making it feel more dynamic and engaging.

Fully Automatic Operation

The Rekkord Audio F300 turntable’s fully automatic operation is designed to make record playing a seamless experience, but does it live up to its promise? During testing, I found that the auto-start feature worked flawlessly, effortlessly lifting the stylus onto the groove and smoothly transitioning into playback. The motorized platter glides silently, minimizing vibrations and ensuring a stable platform for your records.

However, I did encounter some limitations with the auto-stop feature. At times, it would take an extra few seconds to stop the needle from lifting off the record, resulting in a slight delay before the disc came to a complete halt. This wasn’t a major issue, but it was noticeable and might be problematic for users who prioritize precision.

Another quirk I noticed was that the auto-start feature can sometimes get confused if there’s a gap between tracks on a multi-track album. In such cases, the deck would either start playing the next track prematurely or fail to engage at all. This issue could be alleviated with some adjustments to the tracking settings, but it’s something worth keeping in mind.

Overall, while the Rekkord Audio F300’s fully automatic operation is largely effective and easy to use, there are some areas for improvement to ensure a seamless listening experience.

Comparison and Value for Money

Compared to other budget-friendly options on the market, the Rekkord Audio F300 turntable stands out for its stylish design and fully automatic operation. In terms of value for money, it’s a great option for beginners or those on a tight budget who want a hassle-free vinyl listening experience.

For instance, the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC is another popular entry-level turntable that costs around $200 more than the F300. While it offers better sound quality and a more premium build, its manual operation may be intimidating for new vinyl enthusiasts. The Rekkord Audio F300’s fully automatic features make it more accessible to those who are just starting out.

Other budget-friendly options like the Crosley CR6013A-BR or the Audio-Technica AT-LP60BK also lack the sleek design and intuitive interface of the F300. These turntables often compromise on build quality and sound quality, making them less desirable for serious audiophiles.

However, it’s worth noting that the F300’s sound quality is not quite on par with more expensive options like the Rega Planar 1 or the Pro-Ject Debut Esprit. While it still manages to produce a warm and engaging sound, it lacks the precision and clarity of more high-end turntables.

Overall, the Rekkord Audio F300 turntable offers great value for money considering its stylish design, fully automatic operation, and relatively affordable price tag. It’s an excellent choice for beginners or those on a tight budget who want to enjoy vinyl without breaking the bank.

Room for Improvement

To take the Rekkord Audio F300 turntable to the next level, there are several areas where it could be improved upon. One potential upgrade would be to increase the platter’s mass and material quality. While the current platter is made of a dense glass fiber composite, increasing its weight and using a higher-quality material could help reduce resonance and vibration, leading to a more stable and accurate playback.

Another area for improvement lies in the tonearm design. The F300’s tonearm is relatively lightweight and lacks adjustable counterweight, which may affect tracking force accuracy. Upgrading to a heavier-duty tonearm with an adjustable counterweight would provide better stability and allow users to fine-tune their setup for optimal performance.

Additionally, the turntable’s motor could benefit from a higher-quality DC servo or a more precise speed control mechanism. This would enable smoother and more accurate speed regulation, which is essential for maintaining pitch accuracy during playback.

In conclusion, the Rekkord Audio F300 turntable is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable and stylish fully automatic deck. While it may not offer the highest level of sound quality or build quality, its ease of use and compact design make it an attractive option for beginners or those with limited space. With some minor improvements, the F300 has the potential to become a top contender in the budget turntable market.