Captivating Title: "Audio-Technica Sound Burger AT-SB727: Portable Perfection in Audio"

It’s difficult not to consider Audio-Technica’s Sound Burger As nothing more than a curiosity. First introduced in 1983, precisely when CDs were becoming popular, this record player’s super compact, portable idea was at odds with traditional turntable designs. Moreover, its release timing could not have been less opportune.

As the brand launched a limited edition variant called AT-SB2022 In 2022, to mark its 60th anniversary, the company found itself in a market where vinyl records had become incredibly fashionable once more. Given the high demand for this reintroduced Burger, it was decided that a full-scale production run and making it a consistent part of their lineup were essential.

The present Audio-Technica Sound Burger (AT-SB727) under review initially seems somewhat like a novelty, yet much as we found out before, What Hi-Fi? I reviewed the initial version way back in June 1983, and it turns out to be "filled with surprises" as soon as you begin utilizing it.

Build & design

The Sound Burger, labeled as a "wireless stereo disc player system," is a portable Bluetooth turntable. However, it offers far more than just that. Indeed, it functions as a belt-driven deck capable of electronic speed adjustment (supporting both 33 1/3 and 45 RPM), complete with an integrated phono stage.

The present version includes a Bluetooth output rather than the bundled wired in-ear headphones from the initial release—similarly, this development isn't vastly different from the growing number of Bluetooth turntables now saturating the market.

The uniqueness of the Sound Burger lies in its design and straightforward usability. It simplifies the turntable concept to an essential form with minimal components: it lacks a bulky base and features a petite 9 cm platter adequate for placing records. Despite being lightweight, the device doesn’t feel insubstantial; instead, it boasts solid construction quality. The hinge mechanism for the cover is robust, and the locking feature operates smoothly without compromising security.

The tonearm comes preset with the installed cartridge—this simply implies that you'll never need to understand what tracking weight is or spend time on any preliminary setup since everything is configured for immediate use right from the package. The provided ATN3600LC remains part of the kit. moving magnet The cartridge cannot be upgraded but can be replaced at a minimal cost.

The controls are straightforward. You have buttons for powering the device and changing speeds between 33 1/3 and 45 RPM. Just extend the tonearm beyond the deck’s edge until you hear a click, place your vinyl on, and glide the arm toward the grooves; this will start the turntable spinning automatically.

This is a carefully planned and robustly constructed design. Both the tonearm mechanism and bearing exhibit good quality and operate smoothly, plus we appreciate the way the arm gently settles into the rubber 45 RPM adapter when idle. Additionally, the die-cast aluminum platter has an elegant appearance.

The Sound Burger is compact and lightweight, making it easy to toss into a tote bag. A transportation screw located at the rear keeps the tonearm safely secured during moves or carries – yet another smart feature.

Additionally, there is a strap at the back for carrying purposes; however, it’s important to remember that you cannot listen to records while moving around as you would with a Walkman or Discman. Audio-Technica stresses the importance of keeping the turntable on a level surface during playback.

Everything is assembled exceptionally well. Our experience with the Sound Burger model has lasted almost a year, and we continue to be amazed by how ingenious the design proves itself to be during usage. Primarily, it stands out as being vastly different from any other turntables we've encountered, which is definitely positive. While innovative, it remains enjoyable and user-friendly.

We believe this serves as an excellent starting place for beginners venturing into vinyl records, who could be intimidated or discouraged by traditional models. However, it also offers a fresh change of pace even for experienced vinyl lovers such as us.

We've encountered numerous 'vintage-inspired' turntables that are subpar both in construction and performance; however, the Sound Burger stands out significantly from these fashionable one-piece models, particularly with its reasonable price tag of £199 / $199.

Certainly, the unconventional design inherent to this turntable comes with certain disadvantages. Its compact platter limits full support for the entire vinyl disc, which affects general steadiness. Nonetheless, it performs adequately within its innovative framework. Additionally, we would handle the tonearm with caution since there’s neither an armrest nor a lifting mechanism, ensuring that nothing catches the needle during free movement.

Features

"I need to recharge my turntable." We never imagined we'd say something like that. However, since this Audio-Technica Sound Burger comes with a 12-hour battery life, we must ensure to connect it to an electrical outlet periodically for some extra juice.

The battery life is impressively long, providing us with plenty of playback time from the record player. If the battery starts running low, a blinking red LED will notify you.

The package includes a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, which allows you to easily attach one end to the back of the device and insert the opposite end into an AC adapter (which isn’t provided). This process mirrors what you’d do for contemporary portable Bluetooth speakers or smartphones. Additionally, this charger can remain plugged into power continuously without issue.

In addition to USB-C, another aspect of the Burger’s modernization involves the incorporation of Bluetooth . It’s the standard SBC codec The quality you receive here is good, but the pairing process is quick and straightforward: simply press and hold the pairing button on the side until it connects to your device. Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2 set up desktop speakers quickly.

We similarly linked the Sound Burger to a JBL Flip 7 portable Bluetooth speaker, a Roberts Revival Petite 2 DAB radio along with a set of Sony wireless headphones.

This demonstrates just how minimalistic (and non-traditional) your vinyl setup could be with the Burger. There are no additional enclosures or cords—simply a sleek turntable paired with a small speaker. It’s easy to understand why this would be attractive.

If you prefer not to opt for Bluetooth, another option is using a wired connection. The Sound Burger features a 3.5mm auxiliary output, and comes with a convenient 3.5mm to RCA audio cable. This allows it to connect directly to various compatible speakers or amplifiers.

The quality of the audio output also relies on the caliber of the speakers (or headphones) in use. We suggest opting for a wired connection whenever feasible because the improvement in sound clarity with a wired link to the Ruark MR1 Mk2 speakers surpasses Bluetooth connectivity noticeably.

If we were to bring this portable Bluetooth turntable to the garden or a park, would we connect it to a Bluetooth speaker and press play? Probably not, mainly because carrying a collection of vinyl records is more inconvenient than bringing along the Sound Burger itself.

However, the player's portability (or more accurately, transportability) truly shines when you lack the room for a fixed, traditional vinyl setup at home. The ability to stow it away neatly in a cabinet or corner whenever it’s not in use holds significant charm. We've been keeping the Sound Burger in our vinyl cabinet when we're not using it, ready to pull it out occasionally as needed.

This implies that you have the flexibility to shift it between different rooms or even transport it to a buddy’s place to play their newly acquired records which they might not have played due to lacking a turntable, something quite common nowadays. Additionally, moving it from our residence to our testing areas and vice versa hasn’t posed any inconvenience whatsoever.

Sound

The biggest surprise regarding the Audio-Technica Sound Burger is that it also performs well audibly.

We aren’t evaluating its audio performance against traditional turntables, but compared to other affordable Bluetooth models, the Burger offers an enjoyable listening experience.

Here’s the honest truth: there isn’t significant treble extension, and the low-end bass is not abundant. However, the audio leans towards the middle frequencies, yet it remains well-balanced enough that listening to it doesn’t feel like a chore.

Turn on a blues album by Son House, known for his raw, deeply expressive voice that flows effortlessly with precision. The recorded music captures a substantial presence and clarity in both the strummed guitar chords and the entirety of Burger’s audio, making it smooth and enjoyable to hear.

Although it might lack extensive sophistication or intricate details, the turntable effectively conveys the fundamental aspects of a song. It accurately captures the essence and mood of the music with a straightforward, amiable approach that delivers a user-friendly yet enjoyable experience.

The Sound Burger also boasts a vibrant quality, ensuring it never feels monotonous or uninspired. It captures sufficient suspense and atmosphere reminiscent of Portishead’s style. Glory Box that captures our interest, with each character’s persona and demeanor remaining engaging Buffy The Vampire Slayer The musical score shines through effectively.

We can sacrifice some level of polish and clarity for a overall pleasing listening experience. In truth, many 'fashionable' affordable turntables like these tend to deliver sounds that are either lacking depth or warmth, suffer from poor timing, or just fail to entertain our ears altogether.

That isn’t how the Sound Burger performs. While we would like it to be more dynamic and have sharper details, this turntable moves smoothly at a pleasant speed.

It definitely sounds superior when connected via wire compared to using Bluetooth, offering enhanced solidity, detail, and clarity in the audio. Just for kicks, we hooked up the Sound Burger to our testing room’s reference setup. Naim Nait XS 3 amplifier and Epos ES7N The speaker handles this challenge better than expected, maintaining its dynamic and harmonious sound quality similar to that of the Ruark speakers.

Verdict

Sometimes expectations can mar the enjoyment of reviewing new products, but we had an excellent time with the Audio-Technica Sound Burger. This turntable presents a fresh approach and is a truly well-realized concept that provides a uniquely different listening experience compared to the plethora of record players currently on the market.

Although superior sound quality remains a top concern, hi-fi and audio equipment ought to be enjoyable and cutting-edge, providing delight—thus, Audio-Technica deserves praise for maintaining relevance with this distinctive 1980s model in today’s competitive landscape.

This might not become your primary go-to for vinyl records, but for sporadic needs, it remains quite delightful.

First reviewed: April 2025

SCORES

Sound 4
Build 5
Features 5

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