Victrola Canvas - Unboxing & Review! 

Victrola is advertising this model as having a "premium ceramic stylus for improved bass and audio clarity". It's hard to judge the audio quality through the tiny built-in speakers, but that's a ruby stylus (certainly not ceramic, as no such thing exists), and those are picky about playing at the correct tracking force and angle or else they will damage records -- especially styrene 45s. That fancy new cartridge, which probably was purposely designed to look like an Audio-Technica magnetic cartridge at a quick glance, is likely heavier than the typical CZ-800 red cartridge, and they didn't modify the tonearm to balance it out. Too bad, because with a diamond stylus and the correct tracking force, maybe it would actually deliver the improved audio quality they're promising.

Looks nice and thanks for taking one for the team on behalf of your viewers in reviewing this. You must have a garage or spare room full of items by now. Happy listening.

I remember my older sister (by 6 years) using this kind of RP back in the late 60s early 70s. Hers was the style that looked like an attaché, the speakers were the cover, and once opened, they were placed to the sides of the RP. Me? When I was 16, my father gave me a Crown AM/FM - cassette - RP unit. Today I own an Optimus system that I bought in the mid-to-late 90s. Nice to see you encouraging newcomers to this medium.

That’s really cool, you’re right as I grew up with records in the 80s but I was never too bothered until about 12 years ago I bought an all in one record player which I coupled to a small hi fi, it brought it all back from childhood and I progressed to a middle of the road player to later high end Deck with separate hi fi and have now have a collection of over 500 records some old some new.

7:55 Victrola, when trying to be a trailblazer with record players, it doesn't mean the tone arm and stylus should LITERALLY BE BLAZING A NEW TRAIL INTO THE RECORD ITSELF. A lot us actually like our records and want to protect them from harm. The customizing concept is cool with the stickers, but this is yet another product that demonstrates one step forward and two steps back.

Quite a novel idea for a portable suitcase record player, though it’s a real shame about the rather heavy tracking force.... thanks for the review!!!

10:05 Oh, Victrola, Victrola, Victrola. Now I'm going to have to give you such a pinch that it'll leave a mark for days AND I'm gonna have to write a very stern letter to your parents.

At first glance a buyer may think it would have a magnetic cartridge since the white colored stylus could be mistaken for an Audio-Technica magnetic cartridge which would be interesting since a lot of suitcase record players and stereo systems with a turntable tend to include a ceramic cartridge, and I learned that some cheap turntables tend to sound tinny due to not matching the impendence of the ceramic cartridge which is more noticeable if using external speakers, headphones, or hooking it to a computer. The idea of putting stickers and customizing the turntable seems like a good idea though the only shame is the heavy tracking force which is likely heavier than the rated tracking force.

I love mine its one my favorite suitcase players. This is the one I was asking you about several weeks ago. I took the plunge and happy i did. Could even place 12 inch singles that are super Basey without a problem

LIKE number 3 which I did with glee. This is my first LIKE number 3 for 2021. :)

This is so cool.

Awesome 👌 👏 👍 😍

My Crosley retrospect is magnetic. I got it from Walmart it was made special for Walmart so not sure what model it’s closer to not Walmart brand. It’s like a step up from the Cruiser price wise. The speakers aren’t that bad either. I was going to get stickers of my own to customize it.

We all started with something cheap. Mentioning Crossley, VWestife recently put up a video showing the heritage of the Crossley turntable and arm/cartridge. It goes back to 1984. He also pointed out that the tracking force is over 6, but does not damage records.

Hi record ology- I got one of these on the condition that if it was a "gouger" it was going back. Well, I unboxed it and put an old vinyl on it and didn't see any tracking lines. Checked the speed with the strobe disc, and put my scale on it ant it came in at 6.3 grams. Not awful, so I tried other LPs. Still ok. So I think I will keep it. It plays loud, but not very much bass can be heard unless it's my ears. Some days I can hear bass notes and some days not so much. I think you had a bad needle. Should've tried the spare and seen if it changed any.

Awesome record player vy Victolia record player

Ours has a bit of a high pitched squeal, although I can’t tell if it’s the kind of record we’re using (the gold plated Ace Attorney vinyl album)

Girls just wanna have fun. 🤣😂

I got a Victrola almost exactly like this one for Christmas. I did some research and it seems like the counterweight is pretty important, but it is not included. I wonder if there's a way I can adjust the weight. If not, I wonder how many times I can play my records before there will be an issue with the audio.

I too have got one of these Canvas Victrolas. I found that the white stylus has something wrong with it. It was making a change in the grooves. Not scratching or making white marks, but a color change you could see with a lamp. So I put on a red stylus with a metal cantilever and it didn't make anymore visible changes. Mine tracks at 5.7 to 6 grams. Acceptable. So swap the white stylus out with the red one. I think the white one is not compliant enough. Cantilever might be too stiff.

Question: Do you believe the cartridge/stylus will be an issue on further Victrola products? I've got my grandmother the Ellington model for Christmas and though it played actually nicely and sounded well with the same cartridge, I wonder if it can be a hidden trouble.

The cartridge looks like the normal chuodenchi cartridges and styli, but just painted white btw, my old crosley (don't know where it is anymore) used to track at about 6.5g

that`s an awesome new player......so good..i love the fact that anyone could cover it in Elton John stickers,and then play their Elton John albums...all of them,on this player..what more could an E J fan,like me want.....(Singles too,to be played)..Think an added bonus would be a built in tape deck,that chews up tape....(For the serious commenters..what a shame at the start of the day,about the issues...i would cover mine in Quo Stickers)..good review mate

I know that this video is a couple years old but I just got one of these and literally just opened it and it's so quiet. I'm new to vinyl (other than kidd records when I was a child in the 80s). Like it's whisper quiet. What would cause that and how can I fix it?

Update: the Canvas started to make track lines on the Steely Dan Katy lied. So I had a Crosley Voyager I hated. Just a squeak box, even with better speakers. So I swapped the whole guts out except for the circuitry. Put it together and watched for smoke! No Smoke, so I got the LP back out and it plays nicely now. No tracking marks now. So I got a Victrola/Crosley hybrid now! The platter fits exactly. Has same mounting holes.

I knew the Voyager would be good for parts eventually!

Hey, I'm pretty sure that plastic peice under the tone arm towards the back, the one that you said was super loose is removable. I think it's only there for shipping. I could be wrong but maybe removing it would help

The headshell is white because it's made of rock?

I put a diamond cartage on my record player and I have the canvas 80s edition and it improves sound quality 100 percent and less damage to records

I like the white headshell.

The canvas I got was labeled the BTSC 550bt. Not the 400SB like record ology got, but it still wasn't good. I liked the white tonearm etc. but looks don't play the vinyl.

low cost record player have always existed, just like cheapo walkmans, cd players and mp3 players also cheapo headphones and other audio gear but as you quite rightly say we all have to start somewhere to pique our interest.. As a teenager I had a few record players that did damage my records but I soon moved on to better things, Would I do it all over again ? the answers has to be YES! in a way I think I better appreciate what I got into later by starting out from the bottom. In my experience listening to vinyl records is an audio perfection sort but never truly achieved... All part of the fun!

Hi I got my Victoria and it dosent sound right, it’s a very slight problem but when I play it on the right speed the vocals sound a little bit more higher. Anything that can help?

For a tiny moment, I thought they finnaly ad a magnetic Audio Technica cartridge. Very dissapointed xd.

It's just the same CZ-800 clone ceramic cartridge you find on cheap players, but painted white!!! It carves your record because the angle of the needle is wrong (too flat or not enough angle). I had the same issue after replacing the needle of one of my cheapo turntables.

What needle does it take and how do i change it

Love the colour and the concept.great idea.but the heavy tracking is unacceptable.thanks for the video mr R

My husbands uncle just passed away and I was fortunate enough to inherit his records from when he was younger. I just bought this record player last night, the first one I’ve ever owned. After watching your video and seeing that it was marking the record, I’m now concerned that this record player will damage the records. Should I return it and if so what is recommended that is not crazy expensive?

Is the cartridge just the usual cheap Chinese clone Chuo Denshi ceramic sapphire stylus, but in white?

Damn so now I gotta return it and that makes sense y it was $26 in target lol I’m just getting started I’ll just wait n find something better

Hi I know this isn’t linked to this video but do you plug your lp3 straight into the Crosley speakers if not is that possible

It's unfortunate, because this unit is really cool!

That's a total bummer. So is this why some youtubers are saying not to buy/ use a suitcase player cause they damage vinyl? Or was this due to the new upgraded cartridge? I ask only cause I received a Victrola suitcase player for Christmas. Not this customizable version but a unit with the typical red cartridge. Thanks for any help🙏

Maybe Victrola should sell the stickers separately (without the defective record player). "Vicky" may as well make some sweet sticker cash on the side. ;)

Is it bad that my "starter" player was a Technics SL-6??

I really like the sticker idea on this unit, shame about the tracking force issue. Would have been a nice little starter player for kids just getting into vinyl, but the thought of a youngster getting this and then go to put on their favourite Disney record or something, and they see this thing carving up those grooves and then get turned off the vinyl hobby, it would be a real shame. Like the idea, but not the quality. Nice review though.

Can't see any damage, ceramic cartridges have to track heavier

Has any one tried tapping a coin to the back of the tone arm old truck back in the day

I liked the stickers nothing else lol

I re-watched your video on the Victrola Eastwood, and I have to say that the Eastwood is hands down a better unit than this is. Just a "public service announcement" to those who are watching this video for the first time and are not familiar with your channel. Don't walk away just because this happens to be a piece of crap!!!

These low budget turntable companies would get rid of a lot of the flack they’re getting if they just slapped audio technica cartridges on these units, they can probably get them below a dollar through wholesale

Buy nice or buy twice. Or three times...or four.... but at least you get stickers.

This thing does to your records what they claim the Crosley Cruiser does only it doesn’t really. Ironic 😎🍕

Yes it may be good for old and new 78s but not Lps or 45s

Idk I’ve never had any issue putting stickers on colorful things 🤷‍♂️ not the best gimmick imo

Probably, what happend there is that this cartridge (That probably is the everyday usual Chuo-Denshi, just modified to look like the AT-3600L) is a little heavier, due to the addition in plastic (Again, to make it similar to the 3600L). Those suitcase turntables don't have any kind of counterweight, or spring, so, with the heavier Cartridge, the whole tonearm will also be heavier. And because this stylus is rated for 5 grams, at 6 or 7 grams it will scratch the records it plays. The sapphire material (Or Ruby, if it is really cheap) is also helping to chew up the records. So sad... I think that most other victrolas are OK, but this one is totally unacceptable, and helps to destroy victrola's good reputation, as the best brand for record players throughout the first half of the 20th century...

Hmm. So they had it wrong. It wasn't a CROSLEY that chews up your vinyl. I was at FYE this past weekend and I saw suitcase players that had this exact same cartridge/stylus combo. Looks like they cheapened the already super cheap skywin player for the new units. This is getting ridiculous.

You would think that Victrola, given the backlash against Crosley and other suitcase players, would be careful enough to not put out a product like this!!! First of all, there’s that weird, no name cart and stylus. When I first saw it, I naturally thought it was the AT 3600. A closer look shows not only that it isn’t a 3600, it doesn’t seem to be anybody’s. If that’s not a red flag, I don’t know what is. And the stylus, since it’s reddish, could be ruby as well as sapphire. Either way, with the plastic cantilever to boot, they’re the rock bottom cheapest cart and stylus combination out there. That alone doesn’t speak quality. Though they included it with the stickers, the lack of branding on the unit is still a bit odd. You could still put stickers around the brand name (for that matter, you could put stickers on the brand name if you want). There’s no real reason to leave it blank. The speed is typical for suitcase players. Lastly, the fact that it’s damaging your records and also maxes out your stylus gauge, is the ultimate deal breaker. I’m wondering if you got a digital stylus gauge could you get a better idea of the actual weight (presuming they go further than 6 grams)? There should be a way to find out what the exact force is. So, OK to other suitcase players, but not this one. I only hope that Victrola will send you another one-it’s only fair.

I knew as soon as people watched this they would freak out. This video has been shared on Facebook and everyone is going nuts that all of these units will destroy their records. I am trying to be realistic but I don't think people will listen to me

What a shame about the tracking force, that would have been nice for a teen.

nice idea with this record player, but again the quality that should be there, just aint! thanks for sharing this review.

Wow. The out-of-the-box quality is bad enough that maybe Victrola should've included stickers with pictures of better turntables that the customer is going to wish they bought instead.

One more thing I think everyone should know that these stylus, they need to be broken in , so that they won’t grind into your new-ish records and create a white line . you need to play some older records or 78s for about 8 hours Before the needle is perfectly broken into and then it will not create that white line anymore. This is in my experience

I must disagree on one point. A cheap, suitcase-style unti can be a "good starter," true, but only if it has a magnetic cartridge. I've had a turntable (albeit not a suitcase-style one) with a ceramic cartridge, and if I were to base my judgement on the sound such a catridge is capable of alone, I'd have to say that vinyl records sound horrible compared to CD, streaming, etc., and are an awful waste of time, which is simply not true. It was only after watching people on YT play records on decent turntables with magetic cartridges (and the music sounded way better than what I was getting, even with YT audio compression) that I realized the fault lay not with vinyl as a format but with the equipment I was using. Since the AT-3600s (which are good enough) are comparatively cheap, I really don't understand why manufacturers persist with those crappy, ruby-tipped Chuo Denshi clones.

These things give victrola a bad name...

A family member gave it to me and it skips so bad haha

I feel like the ceramic cartridge players should be phased out entirely as they just give the company’s and vinyl community a bad reputation. The quality on this thing was completely atrocious.

A product for millennials? I'm a millennial, but I started into vinyl about 14 years ago with a bedroom DJ setup 😅 Btw, the cartridge looks the same as those standard black/red ones, but colored white instead.

THIS is what gives Crosley a bad name. Looking back to 1960-1963, KLH made a suitcase player using the Garrard Model 50 and Model 50 MKII. GREAT player! The Garrards were nice, precision players using a nice Shure MM cartridge. BTW, that’s a Japanese Chuo Denshi cartridge. Needs 4-5 grams VTF. Not 7-9 grams as Crosley is using here!

Glad that I didn’t buy this , I had the corsley one and it scratched my record

If you don't want some of your stickers I will take them off your hand I collect stickers of all kinds.

..."premium ceramic stylus"... ?? Word salad. Ain't no such thing. Lol.

I find the corporate world interesting these days. Victrola introduces a new record player that damages vinyl while at the same moment launches a new record store so you can replace the vinyl you are destroying. It's genius! All of the companies that produce "starter" players need to make doubly sure that said players do not damage records if they ever want to lose the bad reputation that they already have. And the problem with picking up a suitcase player becomes obvious with models like this available. It's a shame, really. Take care...

RIP your copy of She's So Unusual. Shame on Victrola. Also that dampened cueing is awful, pretty much unusable.

Victrola's quality control on this unit is a MAJOR FAIL. SHAME on Victrola for releasing this. Wonder who actually made it???