Fosi Audio Luna3 Turntable

The Perfect Gateway Drug for Vinyl Obsession

The Fosi Audio Luna3 is that rare turntable that manages to deliver premium build quality and sound performance at a price that won’t break the bank. At just $300, this turntable easily competes with models costing $500 or more, making it an exceptional value for anyone looking to enter the world of vinyl or upgrade from a basic setup.

What is possibly most impressive about the Luna3 isn’t flashy features or gimmicks; it is how confident Fosi Audio where in their first turntable to not put flashy features or gimmicks in this device. So there is no onboard phono preamp, and there is no bluetooth support; the very lack of these features is strangely what makes this turntable feel like a serious piece of audio equipment. Yet, things like its quality feel and weight of the build or the upgradeable nature of the AT-95E cartridge show that the Luna3 is designed for those who have an inkling they might fall down the vinyl rabbit hole.

Having listened to the Luna3 for a few weeks now, I can say this isn’t just another budget turntable, trying to look the part – the Luna3 has the substance to back up its premium appearance. It’s the kind of turntable that makes you want to dig deeper into your record collection and start exploring what vinyl can really offer.

Unboxing and initial assembly

My Luna3 arrived in basic packaging, but I would guess the final version will come in a branded box:

Opening the box reveals careful protective packaging that ensures your turntable arrives in perfect condition:

The components are well-organized and protected:

Inside, you’ll find everything needed to get started:

• The Luna3 turntable with pre-mounted AT-95E cartridge
• Orange felt mat
• Belt drive system
• 45 RPM adapter
• Power supply
• User manual

The included orange mat adds a nice touch of personality:

Build Quality That Impresses

The moment you lift the Luna3 from its packaging, you understand this isn’t your typical budget turntable. The weight and solid feel immediately communicate quality – this is a turntable built to last and perform.

The platter itself is “substantial” and well-balanced, contributing to the turntable’s excellent stability during playback. The minimal yet quality component design philosophy is clear throughout the unboxing and assembly process.

I like this diagram I found on the Fosi Audio page showing all the various components that make up the Luna3:

Setup and Assembly

So, setting up the Luna3 is straightforward, though it does require some basic turntable knowledge and a bit of common sense, like removing the protective foam. And simple put the platter and the orange mat on the turntable:

The belt drive system is easy to install:

Simple stretch this over the platter and back to the motor.

Once assembled, the Luna3 presents a clean, professional appearance:

The UK power supply that came with mine:

The connections on the back are clean and well-labeled:

The AT-95E Advantage

I think one of the Luna3’s smarter design decisions is the inclusion of the Audio-Technica AT-95E cartridge. I actually had a chat with the Audio Technica Team at the recent Canjam in London and asked them about this cartridge,
and they were very complimentary about the selection of this cartridge in a budget turntable.

The mentioned it would be typically £50 and offers excellent performance out of the box and, crucially, an easy upgrade path.

The AT-95E’s replaceable stylus system means you can start with the standard elliptical stylus and later upgrade to higher-end options like the VMN95ML microlinear or VMN95SH Shibata stylus. This upgradability is rare at this price point and shows Fosi Audio’s understanding of how vinyl enthusiasts typically evolve their systems.

The cartridge replacement process is also user-friendly, making future upgrades accessible as you can easily unscrew it:

Features and Functionality

While I feel the concept of the Luna3 was to minimum the internals, Fosi Audio still included several thoughtful features that enhance the user experience:

Speed Selection

The 33/45 RPM switch is easily accessible and provides stable speed control, while this has to be a standard feature on a turntable I did like the Fosi Audio orange branding on the switch:

Balance and Anti-Skate

Proper tracking adjustments are available for optimal performance:

Auto-Stop Functionality

While not as convenient as a full s auto-return feature (like on the FiiO TT13), the Luna3’s auto-stop prevents your stylus from running into the label area at the end of a record:

Trigger Output

And a nice touch for system integration, the trigger output can automatically turn on downstream components when you start playing a record – perfect for integrated hi-fi setups. This allows some nice integration with many Fosi Audio components already that wake up on a trigger input, like the ZA3 and the V3.

Sound Performance

The Luna3 delivers sound quality that belies its modest price point. The combination of the solid platter, well-designed tonearm, and quality AT-95E cartridge creates a musical presentation that’s both engaging and accurate.

Bass Response

The substantial platter and solid construction provide excellent isolation, resulting in tight, controlled bass that doesn’t overwhelm the mix. Whether spinning classic rock or modern pressings, the low-end feels solid and well-defined.

Midrange Clarity

Vocals and instruments come through with natural warmth and detail. The AT-95E cartridge excels in the midrange, delivering the kind of organic sound that makes vinyl special. There’s no harshness or artificial coloration – just music.

Treble Performance

The high frequencies are smooth and extended without being overly bright. While the standard AT-95E stylus provides good detail retrieval, this is where future stylus upgrades will really pay dividends.

Overall Presentation

The Luna3 creates a cohesive, musical sound that draws you into your records. It’s not trying to impress with exaggerated frequency response – instead, it focuses on delivering music in a natural, engaging way.

Comparisons

vs. FiiO TT13

The comparison with the TT13 highlights different philosophies in turntable design:

While the TT13 excels in convenience features like Bluetooth connectivity, remote control, and full automation, the Luna3 focuses on fundamental audio performance and upgradability. The TT13 is perfect for casual vinyl listening, but the Luna3 is designed for those who want to grow with their system.

If I was to pick a turntable for my kids to get into Vinyl, I would actually pick the TT13, they are too used to the conveniences of streaming that the remote control, the auto-start and auto-return on the TT13 would give them just enough conveniences to possible get them interested.

But if I was to pick one for someone like me (who gets obsessed with every aspect of the audio setup) it would definitely be the Luna3.

vs. Audio-Technica Competition

Compared to the basic starter Audio-Technica models like the AT-LP60 below, the Luna3 offers superior build quality and a far more substantial feel:

The Luna3’s heavier construction and better component quality are immediately clear in any side-by-side comparisons.

System Integration

The Luna3 works beautifully in various system configurations. I have various setups around my house, so I had great fun integrating the Luna3 in the different setup for a bit of audio fun.

With Active Speakers

One of my favourite recent speakers is the Argon Forte Mk2, it is a fantastic active speaker with tons of connectivity options, including HDMI for my TV but also has a Phono Stage for turntables like the Luna3 that require an external photo pre-amp:

I really liked this simple setup as the Forte has a simple remote and a trigger input so super easy to add the Luna3 into this setup.

With Headphone Systems

Another very minimal setup that was interesting was using the SMSL PH-1 phono pre-amp with the Luna3. The PH-1 is a very clean-sounding phono pre-amp but also has a headphone output (though not the most powerful). I found this was mostly perfect acceptable for many of my easier-to-drive audiophile headphones. However, with some headphones, like the Fosi Audio i5 headphone, shown in the picture below, I felt it really did need a better headphone amplifier to be driven to acceptable performance, but it was interesting that it could work as a minimal setup.

So, while I wouldn’t recommend this as a ‘final setup’ for the Luna3, both the PH-1 and the Luna3 are excellent components in a larger setup as that is what I tried next.

Integrated into a full AVR setup

So I have a larger AVR setup in another room in my house, and while this Denon AVR also has a phono stage, I switched between using the PH-1 and the built-in Phono stage in the AVR. While the PH-1 was a better pairing for the Luna3 than the AVR built-in Phono stage, Fosi Audio offer even higher quality phono preamps including the Box X5.

I did a bit of A/B testing with this setup as I still had the FiiO TT13 also connected to the AVR and relatively quickly switched between listening to both turntables (though without 2 copies of the same LP it is hard to really do a vinyl A/B test).

Who Should Buy the Luna3?

The Fosi Audio Luna3 is a perfect starter turntable for several specific audiences:

The Budding Audiophile: If you’re buying a turntable for someone you know will get obsessed with vinyl, the Luna3 is ideal. Its upgrade path and quality construction mean it won’t become a limitation as their interest grows.

The Returning Vinyl Enthusiast: For those adding vinyl back into their system after years away, the Luna3 offers modern reliability with classic analog warmth.

The Quality-Conscious Beginner: Unlike cheap “lifestyle” turntables that can actually damage records, the Luna3 provides proper tracking and build quality from day one.

The Upgrade-Minded User: The AT-95E cartridge system and solid platform make this turntable a great foundation for future improvements.

What It’s Not

The Luna3 isn’t for everyone. If you prioritize convenience features like Bluetooth connectivity, remote control, or full automation, the FiiO TT13 might be a better choice. The Luna3 is for those who value fundamental performance and upgrade potential over modern conveniences.

Specifications

• Drive System: Belt-driven, manual operation
• Speeds: 33⅓ and 45 RPM
• Cartridge: Audio-Technica AT-95E (pre-mounted)
• Tonearm: Static balanced with anti-skate adjustment
• Platter: Heavy aluminum construction
• Features: Auto-stop, trigger output, speed selection
• Power: External power supply (region-specific)
• Build: Solid aluminum construction throughout

Rating

The Luna3 earns a perfect 5-star pragmatic rating because it delivers exactly what it promises: exceptional build quality and sound performance at an excellent price point. I feel this turntable competes with models costing up to €500 with some excellent touches, but most of it provides excellent sound reproduction from your vinyl collection.

Conclusion

The Fosi Audio Luna3 represents everything a first “serious” turntable should be. It has the looks, build quality, and upgradeable components that will satisfy both beginners and experienced users. At $300, it’s not just a good turntable – it’s an exceptional one that happens to be priced accessibly.

This is the turntable to buy when you want to do vinyl right from the start. It’s substantial enough to satisfy your inner audiophile, upgradeable enough to grow with your passion, and affordable enough to make the leap into serious vinyl playback accessible to everyone.

The Luna3 isn’t trying to be everything to everyone – it’s focused on being the best possible turntable for those who want to experience what vinyl can really offer. For anyone with even an inkling they might get obsessed with vinyl, the Luna3 is indeed a “no brainer.”