Enter the House of Marley Stir It Up Lux Wireless Turntable, a masterpiece that seamlessly bridges the gap between classic vinyl elegance and convenience of wireless freedom.

The House of Marley Stir It Up Lux Wireless Turntable boasts a sleek and slimline design crafted primarily from sturdy bamboo and aluminum elements. These include the lifter cue lever tonearm, knurled counterweight, isolation feet, stylus cartridge enclosure, headshell tone arm, anti-skate knob, and the RPM dial control. Atop the RPM dial, there's a clickable aluminum knob, serving both as a volume control and a mode changer (e.g., BT, Aux, etc). 

The faceplate housing the RPM control dial and volume knob is also constructed from aluminum and seamlessly incorporates a 3.5mm headphone jack and an LED ring. The LED ring transitions from red (indicating Aux mode) to blue (signifying BT mode) as it enhances the turntable's aesthetics and functionality. The circular black disc of the drive belt platter is constructed from plastic. The metal feet are equipped with spring-loaded mechanisms and silicone padding, ensuring stability while effectively reducing undesirable vibrations. Both the RPM dial control and the anti-skate knob feature knurled surfaces, providing tactile resistance for precise adjustments. The anti-skate knob offers a smooth and continuous rotational action, while the RPM dial features distinct notches for each setting. The tone arm securing clip is composed of plastic, securely holding the tone arm in position.

The bottom enclosure box situated beneath the turntable is affixed to an aluminum plate on top. This enclosure box itself is also crafted from aluminum and firmly secured using standard screws, facilitating easy access to the internal electronics. As for the glass platter, it possesses a weight of 1.28 kilograms and a diameter measuring 29 centimeters. 

When combined with the Stir It Up Lux Wireless Turntable, which weighs 3.3 kilograms, the total weight comes to 4.58 kilograms. The overall dimensions encompass a depth of 35 centimeters, a length of 42 centimeters, and a height of 10 centimeters, including the headshell tonearm, which represents the highest point. The bamboo plinth has a thickness of 2 centimeters, while the feet stand at a height of 3.5 centimeters. The tonearm cartridge measures 27 centimeters in length, and the included counterweight registers at 68 grams.

Setting up the House of Marley Stir It Up Lux Wireless Turntable is a breeze and entails no assembly, as the drive belt and cartridge stylus come pre-installed. Simply position the glass platter onto the drive belt spindle and affix the counterweight. Then, it's a matter of selecting your preferred connection method and utilizing the cue lever to gently lower the tonearm onto your cherished vinyl record. Speaking of tonearm, you will find a laser-engraved Bob Marley quote on the tonearm, which is a nice subtle touch.

The Stir It Up Lux Wireless Turntable offers support for both 45 RPM and 33 RPM speeds, along with the convenience of Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity for seamless wireless streaming to external Bluetooth speakers. However, it's essential to note that streaming Bluetooth audio or routing USB-wired audio from a phone or PC to the turntable is not supported. The sole PC functionality endorsed by the Stir It Up Lux Wireless Turntable is its USB recording output, which empowers you to link the turntable to your computer for the purpose of converting your vinyl records into digital files. This feature proves invaluable for digitizing your vinyl collection, safeguarding your cherished tracks in a digital format. It unlocks a world of opportunities for archiving, sharing, or relishing your vinyl collection, all without necessitating additional equipment or software.

Regarding its audio performance, the Stir It Up Lux incorporates an AT-95E elliptical stylus cartridge from the renowned audio brand "Audio-Technica." This elliptical stylus boasts a larger contact area when compared to the conical stylus employed in prior Stir It Up turntables. Notably, this advancement not only elevates sound quality but also enhances the tracking capability of the Stir It Up Lux. By penetrating deeper into the record groove, it captures even the most minute details within the tracks.

Additionally, using an elliptical stylus offers the benefit of replaceability, in contrast to a conical stylus. This feature proves invaluable, as it means that when the stylus eventually wears out, you can easily replace it. This not only prolongs the lifespan of your vinyl records but also ensures the longevity of the turntable itself, making it a wise investment for vinyl enthusiasts. Due to the absence of built-in speakers, the standalone functionality of the Stir It Up Lux is somewhat limited, and it lacks the capability to directly stream music from mobile devices. Since the Stir It Up Lux doesn't incorporate its own speakers, you'll need to rely on external speakers, which can either be wired or Bluetooth-enabled. Naturally, the quality of the external speakers you choose significantly impacts the audio performance of the Stir It Up Lux.

In general, you can anticipate a crisp, well-balanced, and distortion-free sound experience, thanks to the spring-loaded isolating feet, robust bamboo plinth, and aluminum components. These elements effectively reduce vibrations and motor noise, ensuring high-quality audio output. Moreover, the user-replaceable drive belt and cartridge make maintenance straightforward, guaranteeing long-term usability.

For connecting external wired speakers, you can utilize the 3.5mm audio port located on the rear of the Stir It Up Lux turntable. This 3.5mm port serves a dual purpose, allowing you to connect headphones for private listening or external speakers, enhancing the versatility of your audio setup.

Although the Stir It Up Lux turntable doesn't come equipped with internal speakers, it does feature a built-in preamp, complete with an ON/OFF switch for phono output, as well as a volume control knob. When activated, this preamp generates a line-level output, expanding its compatibility with a broader array of audio equipment, including powered speakers or amplifiers. This adaptability empowers you to tailor your audio configuration to suit your precise preferences. Having a preamp proves advantageous, particularly if you're someone who relishes the ability to fine-tune your sound.

The line-level output operates seamlessly through the RCA line-out located on the rear of the Stir It Up Lux turntable. This RCA line-out connection ensures high-quality audio transmission, enabling you to seamlessly integrate the Stir It Up Lux Turntable into your existing home audio system. It truly is a versatile feature that guarantees you can savor your vinyl records across a spectrum of setups and configurations.

When compared to its predecessor - the Stir It Up Turntable - the new Stir It Up Lux by House of Marley shares many of the same features but introduces several enhancements. These improvements include the ability to replace the Audio-Technica 95E elliptical stylus, an aluminum headshell, an aluminum tonearm, an 8mm thick glass platter, and a higher DC input voltage, increased from 12V to 15V compared to the original Stir It Up turntable. This voltage boost results in naturally amplified volume output for the Stir It Up Lux turntable.

Another noteworthy enhancement is the inclusion of USB-C functionality on the new Stir It Up Lux, which also offers "charge-out" capabilities for powering and charging external devices. This feature sets it apart from the predecessor Stir It Up Wireless turntable, which relies on a USB Type B port connection. These improvements collectively elevate the performance and versatility of the Stir It Up Lux turntable. As far as downgrades, the new Stir It Up Lux lacks the clear lid dust cover found on the previous versions of the Stir It Up turntable.

Overall, the House of Marley Stir It Up Lux Wireless Turntable is a superb choice for those seeking a blend of sustainability, style and performance in a turntable. It excels in design and build quality, and while it has limitations in standalone usability and mobile device connectivity, it delivers a rich and enjoyable listening experience, especially when paired with external Bluetooth speakers.

Selling points

• Sustainable materials and design align with eco-conscious values.
• Easy setup and user-friendly operation make it suitable for beginners.
• Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
• USB recording feature adds versatility.
• Sturdy build quality and attention to detail
• Belt-driven turntable
• Replaceable elliptical stylus cartridge
• User-replaceable drive belt
• Speeds: 45 RPM and 33 RPM
• Laser-engraved Bob Marley quote on the tonearm
• Solid bamboo plinth
• Automatic pitch control
• Auto Start feature
• Anti Skating control
• Adjustable counterweight
• Recycled silicone rubber mat
• Aluminum cartridge enclosure
• Aluminum user controls
• Canvas cloth covering on the lower half of the plinth
• Spring-loaded rubber feet and securing screws on the base
• USB output for PC/MAC recording
• RCA line-out for audio connection
• Compatible with Get Together Duo
• DC input for power supply
• 3.5mm audio port for headphones or external speaker connection

Potential deal breakers

• Lack of built-in speakers
• Inability to stream music from mobile devices directly to the turntable
• Limited availability of replacement parts beyond the drive belt and cartridge
• No schematics provided for users interested in DIY maintenance
• No USB input functionality to play audio from PC
• Spare belt and cartridge not included
• Heavy glass platter
• No clear lid dust cover

The House of Marley Stir It Up Lux Turntable come with the following accessories dust cover cloth, detachable drive belt a counterweight to balance the tonearm, 45 RPM plastic adapter, RCA to Aux cable (2 meters), Marley branded USB-C to USB-C braided cable (1.5 meters), 12W DC barrel power supply (1.8 meters) with interchangeable country plugs (UK, US, EU, AU), glass platter, cork zoetrope vinyl which also doubles as an anti-slip mat. Bob Marley's vinyl record is not included. You can buy the Stir It Up Lux Turntable from House Of Marley website and amazon. Check out the review of the Get Together 2 XL