FiiO TT13

A fully automatic turntable for ‘digital’ generation

The FiiO TT13 is FiiO’s first entry into the vinyl market, bringing a fully automatic belt-drive turntable that blends classic analog playback with the convenience of a remote control, 2 different colours and optionally bluetooth support. This is the first turntable I was happy to let my kids use, and they loved it as did my wife who decided to actually put on some vinyl for the first time in 20 years:

Priced very pragmatically at $239 it is super convenient, so much so it made me feel it was not for a typical ’turntable audiophiles’:

But it is still a budget turntable and there are a few things that I think could have improved even at this budget price which I will highlight in this review.

So lets get into what you receive with the TT13 and how you set it up and see is it the right turntable for you.

Unboxing Experience and Setup experience

The FiiO TT13 arrives nice box: With some minimal information on the back:

Opening the box you get the platter is in the white box:

Removing all the accessories and bits needed to assemble the TT13:

There is also a simple 45 converter should you need one for your old ‘singles’:

The dusk cover is covered with a protective film:

The Platter itself has a nice weight and feel of quality: You can see the “white tab” sticking out from underneath the platter and the belt pre-installed to make assembly relatively easy.

Note: I next dived into the manual to make sure I had everything needed, but I was surprised that there wasn’t a proper setup guide. I did provide some feedback to FiiO about this so they may have provided some extra information about how to assemble everything.

Now that everything is out - lets get it setup:

Assembling the turntable

First the cartridge and stylus are well protected but the protection needs to be removed - there is a removalbe sticker indicating what to do:

The cartridge is a good ( but entry level) Audio Technica AT3600LA typically found in similar priced Audio Technica turnables (and many other sub $500 turntables). Because this is a very common cartridge it is possible to easily upgrade the stylus and many companies provide those upgrades, so I think it was an excellent choice especially at this price:

And the tonearm and weight also has a sticker indicating what to do:

The material used in the TT13 is very high quality and I have no complaints about the build quality:

The trickiest part of assembling the TT13 (and it’s not that difficult) is putting the platter in place and then pulling that “white tab”, I mentioned easier, with belt around the motor.

Here is the belt correctly in place around the motor:

Finally putting the matt on the platter we are almost ready:

Build Quality and Features

The overall build quality is very impressive, with a sturdy aluminum plinth and tonearm that make it feel premium and durable. The aluminum plinth, platter, and tonearm will according to FiiO enhance the stability and anti-vibration performance compared to more plastic designs, and it certainly feels far more premium than my Audio Technica turntable or even my previous Dual turntable which cost about 3 times the price.

Connections on the back

FiiO have a nice neat solution for grounding the turntable as the supplied RCA cable with an extra black lead:

So finally connecting everything using the provided supplied power supply:

So finally here is a little video of it playing:

Note: I like the light (but there are options using remote to turn off the light and control its brightness.

Final Setup (for now)

So once it was set up and working I decided to figure out where to put it, initially I had it on show:

But I decided to put it in the cabinet after a few days - making use of the nice lights:

My cat was also very interested in it and watched the turntable going around for a few minutes:

Features

Balance tuning dial

There is the external balance adjustment dial on the back (on the left of the photo above) that allows users to tweak left and right channel output for a balanced sound.

Alternative Power Supply

The dual power supply provide some nice upgrade for possibilities of interference from the power supply. I used the provided power, but I may upgrade in the next few months.

Built in Preamp

The built-in phono stage outputs at a line level of up to 800mV, making it compatible with most active speakers and amplifiers.

Note: Another minor issue with the TT13 is the lack of support for an external preamp. I imagine this is a feature that FiiO will save for their next turntable but while subjectively I thought the sound of the built-in preamp was excellent I would have like the upgrade option of an external preamp.

Buttons and Fully Automatic playback

The front panel features six large buttons that allow easy control over power, playback, speed, and pairing functions. The fully automatic operation includes start, stop, and repeat functions, making it simple to play and re-play records without handling the tonearm.

Remote Control

The inclusion of a remote control is a nice touch at this price, adding to the convenience of operating the turntable from a distance, the brightness button can be used to turn off the lights if required:

I liked the simplicity of the remote e.g. pressing the power off while the turntable was playing it will immediately return the tonearm before actually switching off the TT13.

Fully Automatic Operation

The fully automatic mechanism simplifies playback, allowing the tonearm to automatically cue, lift, and return at the press of a button. It also supports a loop playback function, ideal for parties or when listening to long playlists.

Bluetooth support

One of the TT13’s nice convenient features is its aptX HD Bluetooth support, which allows streaming to compatible wireless speakers and headphones in high-definition quality. This feature supports aptX, aptX Low Latency, aptX HD, and SBC formats, ensuring a wide range of compatible devices.

Pairing was a little tricky - you need to make sure there is only one bluetooth waiting to be paired and then press the pairing button on the front for a few seconds and wait for the lights on the TT13 to start flashing and then bring your bluetooth speaker near the TT13, I used a Soundcore Motion X600, and it worked very well once paired.

Bluetooth Audio Quality

The Bluetooth streaming capabilties on the TT13 is impressive, particularly with aptX HD-compatible devices. Although analog purists will prefer wired setups, having the option of aptX HD codec ensures that wireless audio remains high-quality, with minimal latency and good fidelity.

Sound impressions

The FiiO TT13 performs well across the audio spectrum, maintaining the warmth and richness that vinyl enthusiasts crave. The turntable’s built-in MM phono stage does a good job of minimizing noise and preserves the analog character of records. I loved re-engaging with some of my 30+ year old vinyl records though some of them were a little worse for the wear but my more recent vinyl purchases like ‘Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back to Black’ sounded amazing.

Bass

The TT13’s bass response is full and rounded, with the aluminum platter providing good isolation and reducing unwanted vibrations. Tracks with deep bass lines, such as “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac, sound rich and solid without overbearing the mix.

Midrange

The midrange is natural and engaging, allowing vocals and instruments to come through with clarity and texture. Vocals in tracks like “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel are clear and warm, delivering a vintage tone that vinyl listeners appreciate.

Treble

The treble is smooth and free from harshness, while the Audio-Technica AT3600L MM cartridge is a entry level, it still delivered a nice detailed treble, though this would be one area where I think upgrading the stylus would get more detail from the recordings.

Soundstage and Imaging

The TT13’s soundstage is spacious for a turntable at this price point, with accurate imaging that positions instruments naturally across the sound field. I used the TT13 with my Denon AVR and some Kef LS50 Meta, the TT13 delivers excellent clarity. I especially loved reconnecting with my original vinyl recording of “Fleetwood Macs” “Rumours” and it delivered a very impressive listening experience.

Comparisons

Since, I decided to replace my Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT with the TT13, and it easily outperforms not only with the additional features like adjustable tracking weight, anti-skating, remote control and LED lighting customization. The TT13 also boasts a more robust build with its very stable aluminum plinth and tonearm, offering better durability and improved isolation from external vibrations.

Here are some comparisons photos - you can see that the TT13 is much wider and looks so much more premium than the similar price Audio Technica:

Specifications

The specifications provided by FiiO:

• Drive System: Belt-driven, fully automatic
• Bluetooth Codecs Supported: aptX, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency, SBC
• Cartridge: Audio-Technica AT3600L moving magnet (MM)
• Speed Options: 33 1/3 and 45 RPM with electronic control
• Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
• Output Level (Line Level): 800mV@1kHz 0dB
• Construction: Aluminum alloy plinth, tonearm, and platter
• LED Lighting: Seven customizable lighting effects
• Remote Control: Infrared, supports playback and speed control
• Dust Cover: Included, removable
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 70dB
• Channel Separation: 30dB
• Output Impedance: < 0.5 ohms

Rating

The FiiO TT13 earns a 5-star pragmatic rating for its super convenient features like its Remote control, Bluetooth streaming and automatic operation. Its build quality, versatile features, and stylish design make it a compelling choice especially for beginners but also for those like myself who mainly use streaming technologies like Roon, Plex and services like Qobuz but do occasionally crave that nostalgic sound of vinyl.

I would also recommend it for families where it makes a great way for the next generation to get into vinyl without needing to buy one of those horrible cheap fake retro turntables but have all the convenience that will encourage the next generation rather than put them off vinyl.

Conclusion

The FiiO TT13 Fully Automatic Bluetooth Turntable is a standout in the entry-to-mid-range turntable market, offering a unique combination of analog warmth and digital convenience. With its remote control, aptX HD Bluetooth streaming, automatic controls, and solid aluminum construction, the TT13 is ideal for anyone looking to get back into enjoying their vinyl collection again in a modern setting. Whether you’re a seasoned vinyl collector or a newcomer to analog sound, the TT13’s ease of use, impressive sound quality, and eye-catching design make it an excellent choice for any audio setup.