Canadian brand Kanto Audio releases the second gen Obi3, one of the more versatile entry-level turntables that provides slightly more room for component upgrades. Launched in 2026, the refresh model retails at S$299 in Singapore available in 5 colours – Black, White, Ice Blue, Green, Walnut. The improvements over the first-generation model includes heavier build, speed sensor, and auto-stop mechanism the end of the groove. If you don’t mind the first-gen model without those upgrades, you can still get them at S$259. To make sure you get the latest version, look out for “G2” or “2026 model” in the product description.
Most of the entry-level turntables cost between S$200 and S$400, and these basic models are mostly made of hollow plastic body, fixed cartridge which are the key components to delivering quality audio. Many of them also come with automatic mechanism that moves the tonearm and lower to the vinyl. For these turntables, you would have to replace with another new turntable if you want to get better quality sound. It’s like buying a car that cannot let you change the wheels.
OBI3 G2 is considered an advanced entry-level manual turntable that you can upgrade to improve the audio quality. Here are the features that you should look out for to determine if the turntable is of better build.
- Heavy and solid plinth. The body of the turntable should be as dense as possible to prevent any unwanted resonances during playback. It should also be as heavy as possible to prevent vibration from external forces. OBI3 G2 is made of weighted aluminum platter and a solid, engineered-wood plinth with a total weight of 5.5 kg.
- Stable rotation speed. The turntable must keep the rotation speed accurate. With the speed sensor, the OBI3 G2 will auto-adjust the speed without requiring manual calibration.
- Selectable phono preamp. Most turntables have only either one option. The OBI3 G2 offers both, which provides convenience to the consumer. Most users would use the built-in phono preamp so that the audio output is ready to be played by the active speakers or the amplifier. For advanced users, bypassing the preamp will allow them to use external premium phono preamp to improve audio quality.
- Removable headshell. The headshell holds the cartridge and the stylus. A removable headshell offers versatility whereby the consumer can swap different cartridges as they please easily. OBI3 G2 does not have a removable headshell.
- Replaceable cartridge. The cartridge is mounted on the headshell by screws which means user can choose to change. OBI3 G2 can change the cartridge. It comes with Audio-Technica AT3600L, one of the best budget cartridges in the market.
- Adjustable counterweight. When a turntable supports replaceable cartridges, the counterweight has to be adjustable so that it can counter-balance the weight of the cartridge. For a turntable with fixed cartridge, the counterweight would also be fixed. OBI3 G2 counterweight is adjustable but it lacks a weight dial to perform proper adjustment.
- Adjustable anti-skate. This function is to apply a small outward force to the tonearm to counteract the inward force that happens when playing the vinyl. When these two forces cancel out, the stylus will glide evenly on the groove instead of skewing towards one channel. OBI3 G2 has this feature.
- Vertical Tracking Angle. This feature is to adjust the height of the tonearm so that the angle of the stylus on the vinyl groove is adjusted. This feature is only found in high-end turntables, so OBI3 G2 does not have this capability.
In addition, the OBI3 G2 has additional functions that are not usually found on the turntable but benefits the consumer.
- Pitch control. This function allows further finetuning to the playback speed and is usually available on DJ turntables.
- Auto start-stop. When you manual move the tonearm to the platter, the motor starts spinning. When the tonearm reaches close to the platter centre, the motor stops. The OBI3 G2 does not have the option to disable this, so some records that cut too close to the label may stop before reaching the end.
- Bluetooth 5.3. You can connect wirelessly to speaker or headphones to listen to the vinyl. The Bluetooth LED will turn blue in Bluetooth mode, and red if it’s cable mode. To switch the output between RCA and Bluetooth, you need to reach to the back of the turntable.
Being a more advanced beginner-level turntable, the assembly may be unfamiliar to a newbie, but there are just two critical components to assemble. One is to fit the belt into the motor, the second is to insert the counterweight. Finally, adjust the anti-skate to “3.5” to match the 3.5-gram tracking force of the AT3600L. I noticed that when I set 3.5 on the test unit, the tonearm swings outwards as it reaches the end of the groove. I had to dial down to around 2 to prevent this excessive weight.
On the whole, the OBI3 G2 allows consumer to replace the cartridge and to perform some calibration on the tonearm to get the ideal playback performance. Let me share with you why this is so important. If you have followed by vinyl journey, you would know that my first turntable I bought in 2021 was a battery-operated Gadhouse Brad that uses the lowest grade cartridge made of ceramic stylus. Within weeks, I attempted to replace the stylus with something “better”, which turned out to be inconsequential. Eventually, I realised that there is no way to upgrade to a better cartridge, so within two months of my first turntable, I replaced it with the AT-LP60XBT which uses the same AT3600L cartridge as the OBI3 G2. However, that turntable’s cartridge is fixed so there was no way to upgrade that cartridge to the next tier, like the Audio-Technica VM-series. Once again I had to replace my turntable to a full manual model like the LP5X so that I could use better cartridges.
But don’t get ahead of yourself. You do not have to jump in to buy a mid-range turntable now if you do not feel comfortable. At least with the OBI3 G2, if you come to a point in your record collection that you wanted to start upgrading the cartridge, you can still do that with the same turntable. In addition, you can also upgrade your audio chain with a separate phono preamp. I have to warn you though, that you need patience when changing the cartridge. And you also need some accessories.
Kanto Turntable Accessories
I am surprised that Kanto actually manufactures their own turntable accessories, showing their commitment to this up-and-coming product line. Honestly this is good for the beginning hobbyist who needs help to get the right tools. Here’s what each accessory pack contains.
- Turntable Setup and Alignment Kit. It comes with three items. The weighing scale measures the stylus tracking force which you can adjust by shifting the tonearm counterweight front and back. The pre-installed AT3600L requires 3.5 g. If you swap to say the VM95-series, then you need to adjust the counterweight until it reads 2 grams on the scale. The second item is the cartridge alignment protractor, which lets you adjust the cartridge until you align it according to the printed grid. Finally, the bubble level ensures your turntable is level. All these calibration is to ensure that the stylus runs along the groove at the right balance. Retails in Singapore at S$79.
- Record & Stylus Cleaning Brush. This is a must-have accessory. There are many shapes and forms in the market, but Kanto chooses to make it with a wooden block. The cover and the brush is magnetized to keep them in place securely. Retails in Singapore at S$59.
- Record & Stylus Gel Cleaning Kit. This accessory comes with a sticky roller that picks up dust and debris on the record, and a stylus gel that you lightly tap it on the stylus to pull off residue stuck on the stylus. Retails in Singapore at S$49.
Kanto also sells the poly-lined record inner sleeves (20 pack at S$49) and cover sleeves (20 pack at S$49).
Audio Quality
The sound quality of a turntable is largely dependent on the cartridge (and they can cost even more than the turntable!). Once you get a good cartridge, everything else is just minor variables to ensure the picked-up signal is transmitted as clean as possible. The AT3600L cartridge delivers sufficiently good sound with high-fidelity that even discerning listeners like myself is happy to accept. Auditioning with the built-in phono preamp, the OBI3 G2 analog output offers generous midrange warmth while the treble can be less forthcoming but where there are powerful upper-frequency articulations, these can come out to provide attack and presence. This audio characteristic is largely the limitation of the stylus, but a benefit of the AT3600L is that it is more forgiving with groove and dust clicks. The OBI3 G2 will pair well to speakers or headphones with lean midrange, or you can boost the treble to balance the highs against the weighty mids.
Verdict
At S$299, the Kanto OBI3 G2 is very competitively priced to gain market share in Singapore. There aren’t many turntables at this price that can offer the versatility of replacing cartridges. For consumers who are afraid to handle the tonearm and wanted an automatic play system, they have to contend with fixed cartridges (with the exception of the AT-LP3XBT automatic turntable with swappable headshell). Ironically, these automatic turntables are not that cheap and made of plastic bodies, so you are paying while not getting value. While the OBI3 G2 requires manual operation of the tonearm, it has the benefit of auto-stopping at the end of the groove which reduces wear during unsupervised listening sessions. You can order the OBI Gen 2 from Retrocrates at the physical store or at Shopee.
Likes
- Able to upgrade cartridges
- Auto-stops when the tonearm reaches the inner groove
- Supports phono preamp bypass
- Supports Bluetooth 5.3
- Supports pitch control
Dislikes
- Bluetooth switch located behind the turntable
- Adjusting tracking force counterweight requires separate weighing scale
- Headshell is not removable