Turntables — Rekkord Audio F300

The F300 is an advanced automatic sub-chassis turntable from Rekkord Audio, hand-assembled in St. Georgen in Germany's Black Forest, borrowing its aesthetic from iconic 1980s turntable designs while adding a genuine ability to fine-tune the tonearm - a step beyond the simpler F100 and F110 below it in the range. Priced around €549, the F300 competes directly against established automatic-turntable names like Thorens and Audio-Technica, positioned as a mid-range model within Rekkord's broader catalogue.

Key specs that matter

Wow and flutter is specified at 0.035%, with signal-to-noise ratio at 72dB (weighted) - tighter figures than the entry-level F100/F110 pairing. The entire automatic system, tonearm and damped aluminium platter sit on a floating sub-chassis platform, physically decoupled from the rest of the high-density wooden cabinet - this structural approach, typically found in high-fidelity audiophile systems, isolates the tonearm and platter assembly from external vibration and motor rumble for improved clarity, dynamic response and channel separation. The 8.3-inch weight-balanced aluminium tonearm uses ultra-low-friction bearings, and sources vary on the exact factory-fitted cartridge - either an entry-level Audio-Technica AT91 (3.5mV output, 47k ohm recommended load) or the AT3600L, both pre-mounted on a carbon-fibre-reinforced headshell with pre-adjusted tracking force and anti-skating, eliminating any need for buyer setup. Fully automatic operation cues the tonearm, plays the record and returns it to rest at the end of a side, with a manual mode also available for buyers wanting direct control. Output uses high-quality RCA phono connectors plus a ground wire for secure connection to a phono preamp or an integrated amplifier with an MM input. The package includes a hinged dust cover, 15V DC power adapter, single-record adapter and pre-installed cabling, with the whole turntable typically assembled and ready to play within around 10 minutes of unboxing. Available in deep satin black or rich cherry wood finish.

Sound and use context

Expect a relaxed, flowing sound that is detailed and forgiving, moving through rhythms and tempos with real assurance and building a convincing soundstage - one reviewer specifically found the F300 short on outright punch and dynamic tracking of volume shifts, particularly bass impact, concluding that while more complete-sounding turntables exist at this price, few match the F300's fully automatic convenience.

Pairing

The RCA phono output with ground wire connects directly to any phono preamp or MM-equipped integrated amplifier input, and the standard half-inch cartridge mounting platform makes future cartridge upgrades straightforward for a buyer wanting to move beyond the factory-fitted entry-level pickup.

Alternatives

Rekkord's own F400 sits above this model with further refinement within the same automatic sub-chassis family, while the brand's manual M500 and M600 models step up to pre-mounted Ortofon 2M Blue and Quintet Red cartridges respectively for buyers willing to trade automatic convenience for superior sonic punch and drive.