TEAC TN-400BT-X Turntable Review: Vinyl Playback Meets Bluetooth Convenience

The vinyl renaissance is still going strong, and there’s no shortage of ways to get your fix. Whether you’re after a budget turntable to get started, modern extras like USB and Bluetooth streaming, vintage style, or high performance playback, there’s a growing list of options to fit your needs and budget.

Then there are models like TEAC’s TN-400BT-X manual belt-drive turntable that aim to offer a taste of all of it at an attainable price point. Its retro-modern plinth looks sharp, especially in the Special Edition Turquoise Blue I reviewed, AKA the TN-400BT-X/TB (it also comes in Walnut), while touches like machined-aluminum switches, a solid built-in preamp, and Bluetooth support with the latest aptX codecs provide equal parts usability and versatility.

The TN-400BT-X combines retro-modern styling, a built-in phono preamp, USB output, and Bluetooth connectivity in a package designed for listeners who want more flexibility than a traditional entry-level turntable provides. It may not be the last turntable you ever buy, but it offers an appealing mix of style, convenience, and performance for the money.

Setup Is Fast, but There’s One Catch

Setting up a turntable can be as daunting as it is satisfying, like solving a puzzle you get to play with afterward. As the easiest turntable I’ve set up yet, the TN-400BT-X is more like a maze without any false paths. Pulling away the foam reveals a nearly fully assembled table, right down to the pre-attached dust cover.

The only real difficulty comes in adding the diecast aluminum platter, or rather the belt that drives it. For starters, the instructions don’t mention that the rubber belt is already wrapped around the platter’s bottom edge, so I spent longer than I care to admit looking for it among the accessories.

More notably, you’ve got to connect the belt to the drive motor with the platter attached, requiring you to slip your fingers nimbly through a hole at the platter’s edge and loop the flat belt around without twisting it. I got it after a few tries, but those with bigger fingers may find it a tougher chore.

One other part that gave me some trouble was locking the proper outlet attachment onto the power supply, which requires aligning it with a retractable hinge that feels like it’s going to snap. It didn’t, and I appreciate TEAC’s inclusion of multiple options to fit your region.

After that, simply follow the detailed instructions for attaching the cartridge and counterweight to the aluminum tonearm, remove the stylus cap, and you’re ready to spin.

Retro Style Meets Modern Function

The TN-400BT-X’s mix of minimalist design and chrome components looks quite good on your console, or, as my wife put it, “cute.” In the case of the Special Edition model, that’s due in no small part to the turquoise lacquer’s surfer-guitar vibe, which offers just the right mix of cheek and style without looking ostentatious.

As slick as it looks, I was surprised by how light the turntable feels compared to step-up models. That goes for both the MDF plinth and the S-shaped aluminum tonearm, which seems to float off the holder as you align the needle. Along with feeling a little chintzy, the lighter base can lead to audible thuds when you close the dust cover or accidentally tap the turntable while the stylus is in the groove.

Otherwise, the table does a good job of resisting skips and pitch fluctuations from scratched, warped, or otherwise imperfect records, and components like the machined-aluminum control dials for playback and record speed feel sharp and sturdy. Speaking of speeds, you’re getting the big three: 33 ⅓, 45, and 78 RPM, which my fancier Orbit Theory reference turntable lacks.

At the TN-400BT-X’s backside is a power/standby key and a switch for the built-in phono preamplifier, which includes a “hi-fi quality” NJM8080 op-amp chip. Hidden below the table’s right flank is a Bluetooth key, which requires a long hold for initial pairing and a tap for subsequent connections. Bluetooth support includes aptX and aptX Adaptive for high-quality streaming with compatible headphones and speakers.

There’s no auto-stop or return, something I would have liked to see in a Bluetooth-ready table at this price point. That means you’ll need to keep track of your records from afar when streaming, especially if you’re using Bluetooth to tap into a multi-room system like Sonos.

Listening

I had the pleasure of auditioning the TN-400BT-X with KEF’s new LS LUXE speakers (review to come), which served as a potent magnifying glass for investigating the table’s interpretation of my catalog. From the first drop in the groove, I was impressed by the deck’s balanced and relatively energetic performance, which was more than enough for a satisfying listening experience with KEF’s latest high-end system.

Starting with my usual entry point, Brubeck’s Take Five, the TEAC provided a smooth touch to Dave’s rapid piano runs, offering enough sparkle to properly represent the higher keys without harshness or sibilance. There was good warmth and definition in the buoyant bass lines and string rattles, along with sweet yet lyrical resonance in Paul Desmond’s sax runs.

Desmond’s breathier lines in songs like “Strange Meadow Lark” don’t have the presence or almost visceral quality you’ll get with higher-end options like the DP-500BT, and I was hoping for more from Joe Morello’s tactile brushwork in the left channel. But moving through the record, it was clear that the turntable’s included Audio-Technica AT95E cartridge remains a ringer at its $60 price point, as it has been for decades.

The same goes for TEAC’s built-in pre-amp, which stood up well to my outboard Rolls VP29 in A/B comparisons. The Rolls offers higher gain and a touch more presence, but it’s also sharper on brighter recordings, and I found myself generally preferring the turntable’s built-in phono stage.

I was still worried my Japanese Beatles pressings might present too much brightness at the instrumental attack, but between TEAC’s restrained treble and KEF’s effortless clarity, there was enough detail to go around without getting aggressive. I heard plenty of textural grit and psychedelic groove in instruments like horns and overdriven guitars, while vocals had solid pop without becoming sibilant.

Bouncing to my reference Orbit Theory put a bit of a damper on the experience, as that table tends to do with most options at its price or below. Everything sounded fuller, richer, more detailed, and more intimate, as if a veil had been lifted. That said, the Theory costs nearly twice as much and doesn’t offer the TEAC’s Bluetooth chops.

Bluetooth Streaming

Going wireless added yet another layer of separation between the speakers and the music. Even so, as mentioned in my DP-500BT review, I’ve come around to the appeal of wireless vinyl, especially as an entry point for a multi-room sound system that can spread your tunes throughout the house. Moreover, if you’ve got a quality pair of Bluetooth headphones with aptX support, you’ll be treated to a refreshingly clean and intimate listening experience.

Connecting my Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 headphones, I was pleased to discover plenty of detail in my midrange copy of the Grateful Dead’s American Beauty. Swapping between the wired Luxe speakers and the headphones, the latter barely skipped a beat, showcasing sparkling cymbal work, excellent instrumental separation, especially in the vocals and the album’s rich harmonies, and good dynamic expression between the softer and more keyed-up moments.

The record still sounds more lively and open when played through the wired system, but there’s something to be said for the more intimate presentation you get from a pair of premium ANC Bluetooth headphones.

The Bottom Line

TEAC’s TN-400BT-X turntable is a fine mix of style and substance, especially if you can grab the Special Edition model while available. At $630, you’re paying a premium for both its design and Bluetooth support over similarly appointed wired-only tables from brands like Pro-Ject and U-Turn, but if you’re looking for a deck that balances sound quality, playback options, and fun in equal measure, TEAC’s table walks the line well.

If you’ve got some budget flexibility and prefer a more refined approach, Denon’s DP-500BT is a worthy upgrade. Its higher build quality does a better job of suppressing handling noise when changing records, and its more understated design contrasts nicely with the TEAC’s eye-catching Turquoise Blue finish. Otherwise, the TN-400BT-X’s good looks and versatile performance make it worth considering.

Pros:

• Fast and mostly simple setup
• Balanced, full, and clear performance
• Fun and stylish design
• Solid skip and pitch fluctuation resistance
• Bluetooth with aptX sounds excellent

Cons:

• Plinth and tonearm feel a little chintzy
• Substantial noise when bumping the plinth during playback
• You’re paying a premium for the style and versatility
• Attaching the belt is a pain

Our Ratings

★★★★★★★★★★ Performance

★★★★★★★★★★ Usability

★★★★★★★★★★ Build Quality

★★★★★★★★★★ Value

Where to Buy

Related Reading: