Take one part “reviving classic gear brands,” mix it with several parts of the legendary Vestax portable turntable, then blend different flavors from digital and effects to hi-fi to tube, and what you get is KORG’s new handytraxx line. There’s not one but four new turntables here, each with its own approach. It’s “portablism” all over again.

Yeah, this year’s music gear is a little underwhelming, so this is exactly what we need: collect-em-all, scratch- and DJ-ready turntable hardware that you can tote around. Heck, this might even be what independent labels need, because it’s a second go at getting people excited about vinyl.

Now, one Vestax remake would have been enough to get some attention. But KORG went all in with multiple collaborations and an array of different features. And I love the intro vids they’ve done, so let’s include all of them:

handytraxx play. Made in collaboration with Handy Trax co-creator (and former Vestax President) Toshihide Nakuma, this looks like a Handy Trax but adds digital effects, a built-in looper(!), and new controls. (Nakuma-san sadly passed away in late 2023, but contributed before his death.)

handytraxx tube. If you guessed these might include Korg’s Nutube vacuum tubes, you’d be right – exactly. This model apparently emphasizes sound quality, with “an aluminum die-cast platter,” balanced tone arm, MM cartridge, and triode tube-powered phono amp. And it’s got built-in stereo speakers, too.

Onboard:

  • Three filter types: DJ (low/highpass), EQ (with low isolator), and peaking with modulation.
  • Delay with vertical fader. (Yeah wait… what?! I mean, cool, why not?)
  • Looper with variable speed control switch (33/45) and live looping, for your portablism fun.

handytraxx tube J. This is the high-end, limited edition model built in collaboration with stylus/cartridge maker JICO, including JICO’s Clipper MM Cartridge. So this is the high-end “listening” choice.

handytraxx 1bit. Here’s the “I want to rip records with the greatest fidelity possible” model. There’s a 5.6 MHz, 1-bit DSD capture tool for digitization. It’s paired with a digital audio player. Korg describes this one as the flagship.

The models run from $399 for the entry-level (but rather capable) play, up to $799 for the tube model, $999 for the 1-bit, and $1199 for the tube J. The pricing on tube J isn’t surprising, though, given the JICO cartridge alone would run you around $500.

Preorder on the play, but the other ones appear to be in stock – from Perfect Circuit:
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handytraxx play turntable

handytraxx tube turntable

handytraxx 1bit turntable

handytraxx tube J turntable (Jico cartridge model)

This is, of course, bringing on the usual naysayers who hate portable vinyl as a concept – you can check comments. And sure, sure, sun, heat, all that, but it’s not like DJs don’t already travel with vinyl. I’m going to stick by this one, as I think the legacy of the Vestax speaks for itself. It’s frankly surprising no one tried this before, but I love that Korg did it with some style, and tickle the affection a lot of us have for the Vestax original – all while involving the great Nakuma-san.

Vestax is back.

I so want one of these for Christmas. Wait, it’s still January? Sorry, for some reason, the last 72 hours felt like 11 months.

Look, there may be import tariffs soon, so USA, I have only one solution: move to Japan. I’ll join you; I’m not sure Germany will understand this, either. We can all have portablism parties together.

Gosh, this is sexy:

That JICO cart is pure sex: