Victrola Stream Sapphire Turntable: High-quality vinyl meets modern convenience
Stream Victrola Sapphire Victrola Picture:
As vinyl continues to gain in popularity, more people are exploring turntables to complement their listening setups. One of my favourite turntables released last year was the Victrola Steam Carbon, which is limited to streaming vinyl to Sonos speakers. However, Victrola is bridging the gap between old-school vinyl and modern convenience with its new Stream Sapphire turntable, which can be streamed to Sonos and other WiFi speakers.
The Stream Sapphire combines modern materials with more traditional wood for a stunning and minimalistic style. The real walnut veneer adds a touch of class, and the height-adjustable feet make it easy to get the perfect setup, even if your table isn’t perfectly level. These sound-dampening feet also help isolate the turntable from vibrations, which is crucial for audiophiles seeking pristine playback.
The dust cover is similar to the Stream Carbon and Premiere V1. It sits atop the platter and protects the turntable when not in use. It’s easily removable and doesn’t attach to the back of the unit like traditional covers, offering a streamlined look. The downside is where to store the cover when the turntable is used.
While Sapphire's main feature is its wireless streaming, you can also use it via the gold-plated analogue RCA outputs on the back. One minor caveat is that the built-in phono preamp cannot be bypassed. While it delivers excellent sound quality, those who prefer an external preamp may find this limitation restrictive. However, the integrated preamp will be more than sufficient for most users.
Around the front is a sizeable illuminated control knob, which provides an easy-to-use, tactile control for volume and playback directly from the turntable. As you turn the knob, you feel a light click.
Like its predecessor, the Stream Carbon, it can connect directly to Sonos speakers for easy vinyl streaming. However, the Sapphire goes further with Vinyl Stream Wi-Fi technology, which allows you to stream to almost any UPnP-enabled speaker or system across your home.
Victrola has made the Stream Sapphire incredibly easy to set up, even for beginners. The app walks you through the entire process, from installing the platter to balancing the tonearm and connecting to your network. I had it up and running in under 15 minutes. Once set up, the illuminated volume knob on the front turns solid white, confirming a successful connection.
The Sapphire includes RCA line-level outputs for those who prefer an analogue sound and Wi-Fi streaming capabilities for a modern listening experience. It's good to see an Ethernet port for a stable connection, perfect for anyone with a crowded Wi-Fi network.
While I appreciated the ease of wireless streaming, I was pleased that Victrola didn’t compromise on the true analogue experience. If you have high-end speakers nearby, using RCA connections will give you authentic vinyl sound without digital interference. That said, the convenience of streaming to different rooms — whether to Sonos or other Wi-Fi speakers — is a massive selling point for the Sapphire.
The Stream Sapphire comes pre-fitted with an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, a well-regarded option known for its detailed and balanced sound reproduction. The carbon fibre tonearm, shared with the Stream Carbon model, ensures accurate tracking and minimises resonance, providing a clean, natural sound.
The internal servo-controlled brushless motor adds precision to playback with consistent and accurate speed adjustments. Victrola has even added height-adjustable feet with built-in sound-dampening technology to isolate the turntable from external vibrations, ensuring the best possible sound quality.
From my testing, the sound was excellent across the board. Whether streaming through Wi-Fi or listening via wired connections to my amp and floor-standing B&W speakers, the Sapphire delivers rich, warm audio that brings out the unique character of vinyl. The option to stream vinyl records to different rooms without any noticeable drop in audio fidelity is magic.
The Stream Sapphire can wirelessly send high-resolution, 24-bit/48 kHz audio to UPnP-enabled speakers, AV receivers, or TVs. This feature is incredibly convenient whether you want to stream vinyl to a pair of Wi-Fi speakers in the living room or fill your entire home with music.
I tested this by streaming vinyl from the Sapphire to UPnP compatible systems, including the Naim Muso 2, JBL BAR 1000 soundbar, Majority Quadriga all-in-one music system and a Sonos Roam 2. The connection was stable, and the sound quality remained high, with no lag or sync issues between rooms. Victrola is also working on Roon integration, which will make it even easier to manage multi-room audio and networked speakers. Although it’s worth noting that Roon won’t display playback data for vinyl due to the analogue format, this feature adds another level of versatility to the Sapphire.
The Victrola Stream Sapphire Turntable strikes the perfect balance between analogue warmth and modern convenience. Its combination of Wi-Fi streaming, high-fidelity sound, and ease of use makes it ideal for both vinyl newcomers and seasoned audiophiles who want to integrate vinyl into their modern home audio setup.
If you’re looking for a turntable that allows you to stream to multiple rooms without sacrificing sound quality—and you don’t want the hassle of a complicated setup—the Stream Sapphire is an excellent option. For those who prioritize traditional analogue listening, the wired RCA output ensures you can still experience that full, authentic vinyl sound.
The Stream Sapphire is expensive but delivers in terms of features, design, and performance. Whether you’re just starting your vinyl journey or upgrading to a higher-quality setup, the Victrola Stream Sapphire offers flexibility and sound quality that few turntables on the market can match.
Victrola.com – €1,499