Проигрыватели виниловых дисков — GADHOUSE Brad Retro Mk II

The Brad Retro MK II is a portable turntable from Gadhouse, the brand known for colourful turntables styled after the 1950s and 1960s. It updates the original Brad Retro with louder built-in speakers, newer Bluetooth and USB-C power. It was released on 4 December 2024 at GBP 129.99 in the UK.

Key specs that matter

It plays 7 to 12 in records at 33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm, with pitch control and auto start/stop. Drive is by belt. The stylus is the Gadhouse Ruby. Built-in speakers are two 70 mm full-range drivers rated at 5 W each, 10 W in total, with a sensitivity of 83 dB. Bluetooth is version 5.3. Outputs are RCA with a cable supplied and a 3.5 mm jack, and there is a USB port for digital recording. Power comes from a 5 V/3 A USB-C adapter with travel plugs for the UK, Australia, the US, Europe and Japan. It measures 33 x 28 x 11.5 cm and weighs 2 kg.

Engineering and use context

The Brad Retro MK II is an all-in-one player designed for convenience rather than a component for a hi-fi system. Three speeds, including 78 rpm, let it play shellac records as well as LPs and singles. Its belt keeps motor vibration off the platter. The built-in speakers make it self-contained, while the RCA output lets it feed active speakers or an amplifier. The USB output allows digitising records to a drive. USB-C power is new, allowing the turntable to run from a power bank or be moved around the home, and the travel plugs suit use abroad. A lift lever handles cueing. The case styling follows 1950s colour palettes, with control knobs on the front and a thick rectangular base, and colours include grey, navy, green and pink. Gadhouse reduced the plastic content and printing in production and designed the packaging to be reused as a record store or vinyl stand. The pitch control lets owners fine-tune speed by ear, and auto-stop halts the platter at the end of a side, so the stylus does not ride the run-out groove. The Ruby stylus can be replaced when worn.

Pairing

The Brad Retro MK II plays alone through its own speakers or feeds active speakers through RCA. Its Bluetooth link streams from a phone.

Alternatives

Gadhouse's original Brad Retro is the first version of this portable turntable, with weaker speakers and an older Bluetooth version.