The Primary E is a no-nonsense, plug-and-play turntable designed for vinyl newcomers who want great sound without the fuss. Built in Europe by Pro-Ject, it features a lightweight aluminium tonearm, pre-mounted Ortofon OM cartridge, and a manual belt-drive system. Its minimalist design hides a well-engineered deck that protects your records and delivers clean, balanced playback - all at an unbeatable price point.

What Hi-Fi? said the Primary E is “the blueprint for how to make a great-sounding, no-frills starter record player on a budget.” They praised its enjoyable presentation, ease of setup, and sonic fundamentals, calling it a “great first turntable” that nails the basics and remains their top recommendation for entry-level vinyl enthusiasts.

The Debut EVO 2 is a refined, upgradeable turntable built in Europe for high-end vinyl playback. It features a carbon fibre tonearm, die-cast aluminium platter with TPE damping, and a Pick-IT MM EVO cartridge. With electronic speed control, adjustable feet, and stylish finish options, it’s a sleek and sonically capable centrepiece for any setup.

What Hi-Fi? said the Debut EVO 2 is “a friendly, capable turntable” that has been “furnished with significant upgrades to make it an even sleeker and engaging performer.” They praised its “lively, fluid delivery and lovely way with voices,” noting that while some may prefer the more mature presentation of rivals, the EVO 2 is a “likeable alternative” that “will win you over.”

The WiiM Pro Plus is a compact, high-res music streamer with a premium DAC, multi-room support, and wide compatibility including AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, and more. It offers both analogue and digital I/O, intuitive app control, and a remote. Ideal for upgrading legacy gear or building a modern setup, it delivers superb performance at an unbeatable price.

What Hi-Fi? said the WiiM Pro Plus is “hard to lay a glove on at the price.” They praised its poised and accomplished sound, slick control app, and multi-room readiness, noting that “if you want to do better than this, it’s going to cost you quite a lot more money.”

The Rotel A8 is a sleek integrated amplifier delivering 40W per channel into 4 ohms. Its Class A/B design ensures smooth, powerful sound with deep bass and crisp highs. With RCA inputs, a phono stage, headphone jack, tone controls, and a customisable LED volume display, it’s ideal for vinyl, streaming, and CD playback - all in a compact chassis.

What Hi-Fi? said the A8 is “a fuss-free, well-built product that sets an enviable standard for sound quality at this level.” They praised its clear, controlled presentation, expressive dynamics, and punchy bass, calling it “stand-out budget amplifier” that competes confidently with it's rivals.

The Sumiko Rainier is a premium moving magnet cartridge handcrafted in Japan. Its low-resonance body and elliptical stylus deliver smooth, natural sound and fine musical detail. With a 5mV output and upgradeable design, it suits a wide range of turntables. Ideal for vinyl lovers seeking high performance at an accessible price.

What Hi-Fi? said the Rainier is “a little gem.” They praised its full-bodied, entertaining presentation, punchy dynamics, and musical cohesion, noting that with careful setup and patience, it becomes “one of the best performers anywhere near this price.”

The Ortofon MC X30 is a precision-engineered moving coil cartridge with a Nude Fine Line stylus for detailed, dynamic sound. Its honeycomb core and silver coils ensure stability and clarity, while the optimised magnet system delivers articulate performance. With 0.4mV output and 2.0g tracking, it’s ideal for high-end vinyl setups.

What Hi-Fi? said the MC X30 is “a hugely talented performer.” They praised its superb balance, clean and detailed presentation, expressive dynamics, and articulate nature, noting it “ticks all the boxes” at its price point and is “highly recommended” when paired with a capable turntable and phono stage.