- Hybrid vinyl & CD deck: Philips has unveiled the Fidelio FT1, a Bluetooth turntable that also features a built-in CD player whathifi.com whathifi.com. This two-speed belt-drive turntable can spin 33⅓ and 45 rpm records, and play CDs via a front-loading tray – bridging analog vinyl and digital disc in one unit.
- Hi-fi construction: The FT1 is built for audio quality, with a die-cast aluminum platter and heavy rubber mat to damp vibrations whathifi.com. It comes with an aluminum tonearm (adjustable counterweight) and a replaceable Audio-Technica moving-magnet cartridge, plus an auto-stop function to halt rotation at end-of-side whathifi.com. A built-in phono preamp outputs at line level, and there are RCA stereo outputs and a 3.5 mm headphone jack for wired listening whathifi.com.
- Modern wireless streaming: Despite the retro media, this turntable is thoroughly modern in connectivity. It supports Bluetooth 5.4 transmission, so you can stream your vinyl or CDs wirelessly to Bluetooth speakers or headphones whathifi.com. It even supports Auracast broadcasting (via the LC3 codec) to send audio to multiple devices simultaneously for multi-room or party use whathifi.com. Traditional wired output is also available for classic hi-fi setups philips.sa philips.sa.
- Controls and app: The unit includes physical controls (source selector, play/pause, Bluetooth and Auracast toggles, etc.) and a dimmable front LED display for track info and volume whathifi.com philips.sa. Philips provides a smartphone Entertainment app that acts as a remote control and offers customization and a Party Mode to manage Auracast streaming philips.sa philips.sa. A removable dust cover is included, and the front display even shows a digital clock when on standby philips.sa philips.sa.
- Matching speakers (optional): Philips also introduced the Fidelio FA3, a pair of wireless active stereo speakers designed to complement the FT1 turntable. Each speaker packs a 5-inch glass-fiber midbass driver and a 1-inch titanium tweeter, bi-amplified for up to 50 W RMS output avforums.com. They support Bluetooth 5.4 and Auracast as well, and feature HDMI ARC, USB-C, optical and RCA inputs to accommodate TVs, computers or other audio sources avforums.com. The FT1 and FA3 can be used together as a complete hi-fi system or purchased separately, giving listeners flexibility whathifi.com.
- “Premium affordable” launch: Philips is positioning the new Fidelio turntable and speakers as “premium affordable” additions to its lineup whathifi.com. They are slated to launch in Q1 2026, though exact pricing has not yet been announced whathifi.com expertreviews.co.uk. The reveal took place as part of Philips’ 100th anniversary in audio – a nod to the company’s century-long heritage with radios, cassettes, CDs and now modern streaming avforums.com whathifi.com.
A Vinyl-and-CD Hybrid for Modern Music Lovers
Philips is returning to the home hi-fi arena with a unique combo device that caters to both analog and digital audio fans whathifi.com. The Philips Fidelio FT1 is a new turntable that not only plays vinyl records but also doubles as a CD player, blending two beloved physical formats in one sleek system. Looking much like a contemporary turntable, the FT1 hides a front-loading CD tray in its base, allowing listeners to switch from spinning LPs to spinning compact discs at the press of a button whathifi.com. This “two-in-one” design is being billed as the ultimate marriage of retro formats with modern convenience – a concept that hi-fi publication What Hi-Fi? cheekily dubbed “the ultimate combo?” in its announcement whathifi.com.
The idea of combining a record player and a CD player isn’t common in today’s audio market, so Philips’ new hybrid deck stands out. It arrives amid a broader resurgence of interest in physical music media. Vinyl’s comeback has been well documented – LP sales have climbed steadily for over a decade – but even CDs and cassettes have seen a mini-revival recently gearpatrol.com gearpatrol.com. In fact, 2023 was the first year in two decades that CD sales actually increased, and cassette tape sales hit a 20-year high the same year gearpatrol.com. Physical formats still make up only about 11% of overall music revenue (with streaming dominating about 84%), but vinyl is the king of that physical slice (around 70% of physical music sales) gearpatrol.com. The continued appeal of records – and a new wave of nostalgia for CDs among some younger listeners – has encouraged brands to get creative in blending old and new. Philips’ Fidelio FT1 is very much a product of this trend: it acknowledges listeners’ love of retro media while offering the wireless connectivity and ease-of-use expected today.
The FT1 made its debut in September 2025 at a showcase by Philips’ audio division (now run by TP Vision in Europe) avforums.com. It was introduced alongside other products celebrating Philips’ 100-year audio heritage, so the retro-modern concept is no accident. (Earlier in 2025, Philips had launched its Century Series of audio gear to mark the company’s centenary, including all-in-one turntable systems with deliberate old-school styling whathifi.com whathifi.com.) By combining a vinyl turntable with a CD player, the Fidelio FT1 pays homage to two milestones in Philips’ history – the company helped develop the original Compact Cassette in the 1960s and the Compact Disc in the 1980s – while also embracing the 21st-century shift to wireless streaming. The result is a single unit that lets you cue up an LP and then pop in a CD, all while optionally beaming the sound to your Bluetooth speakers across the room.
High-Quality Build and Modern Connectivity
Importantly, Philips isn’t treating the Fidelio FT1 as a gimmicky nostalgia toy; it’s built to satisfy serious audio enthusiasts. The turntable itself is a belt-driven design with two speeds (33⅓ and 45 RPM) and uses a solid construction for better sound. It features a robust die-cast aluminum platter and a heavy rubber slip-mat, which together help control vibrations and resonance as records play whathifi.com. Excess vibration is a turntable’s enemy, often causing distortion or skipping, so these high-mass components are a good sign that Philips is aiming for audiophile-level performance. Likewise, the tonearm is made from extruded aluminum and comes with an adjustable counterweight to properly balance the stylus pressure on your records philips.sa philips.sa. The included cartridge is an Audio-Technica moving-magnet (MM) cartridge whathifi.com – a reputable choice often found on quality entry- to mid-level turntables – and the stylus is user-replaceable for easy maintenance philips.sa. The FT1 also has an auto-stop feature, meaning it will stop the platter rotating automatically when it reaches the end of a record side philips.sa. That spares both your stylus and your nerves, since you won’t return to find the needle endlessly circling in the run-out groove.
On the CD side of things, the FT1 uses a front-mounted tray-loading CD mechanism, similar to a standard standalone CD player whathifi.com. Philips confirms it will play all common disc formats: traditional audio CDs as well as CD-R/RW discs and MP3 CDs that you’ve burned yourself philips.sa philips.sa. When you insert a disc, the built-in display shows track info and playback time, just like a dedicated CD deck philips.sa. Having a CD player integrated into a turntable chassis is unusual, but it appeals to those of us with both vinyl collections and shelves of old CDs – you don’t need two separate devices or two separate inputs on your amplifier. One unit covers both.
Crucially, the FT1 includes a built-in phono stage (phono pre-amplifier), which means it can output at line level to any receiver, powered speaker, or amplifier without needing a separate phono preamp box whathifi.com. Many traditional turntables require an external phono preamp (because of the very low signal from an MM cartridge), but Philips has made the FT1 plug-and-play. Around the back, it has standard RCA stereo output jacks for hooking up to a stereo system or powered bookshelf speakers whathifi.com. There’s also a 3.5 mm headphone output on the unit, so you can enjoy a private listening session with wired headphones plugged straight into the turntable whathifi.com. This is a nice touch – essentially the FT1 can serve as its own little listening station if you just want to sit by the turntable with headphones on, spinning records (or CDs) without disturbing the household.
Even though the FT1 embraces legacy media, it’s fully equipped for the wireless age. The turntable’s electronics support Bluetooth 5.4 streaming output whathifi.com. In practice, that means you can pair the FT1 with any Bluetooth speakers or wireless headphones and transmit the turntable’s audio signal without any cable. If you prefer to use a modern Bluetooth soundbar or a set of wireless earbuds, you can do that directly from the turntable. Notably, Philips has implemented the latest Bluetooth features: the FT1 supports Bluetooth Auracast, which is a new broadcasting technology that allows one source to stream audio to multiple receivers simultaneously whathifi.com. In other words, the FT1 can broadcast to multiple Bluetooth speakers or headphones at once, creating a synchronized multi-speaker setup – great for multi-room audio or party scenarios. This is cutting-edge for 2025/2026, as Auracast (part of Bluetooth 5.4) is just beginning to appear in consumer devices. Additionally, the unit supports the LC3 audio codec over Bluetooth, which is an improvement over the basic SBC codec – LC3 can provide higher audio quality at lower bitrates, meaning better sound when you’re streaming your vinyl/CD audio wirelessly whathifi.com. Of course, if you’re a stickler for fidelity, you might still prefer the wired analog output for serious listening, but it’s nice to have the wireless option for convenience or whole-home use.
Interestingly, the FT1’s Bluetooth implementation appears to be two-way (bidirectional) – it can output audio to speakers/headphones (Bluetooth out), but it also has Bluetooth in capabilities. That means you could use the system in reverse: stream music from your phone to the FT1, effectively using the turntable’s outputs (RCA or headphone) as a Bluetooth receiver for an external source. This isn’t a commonly advertised feature on turntables, but Philips’ spec sheet shows support for standard Bluetooth profiles (A2DP, AVRCP) and even multipoint pairing philips.sa philips.sa, suggesting the device can manage multiple connections. The inclusion of a “source switch” button and mention of Bluetooth In & Out in the documentation indicates you could toggle the FT1 between broadcasting its own media versus playing audio from a paired device philips.sa philips.sa. In short, the FT1 is a versatile hub for audio: it can play your records, spin your CDs, send audio out to wireless or wired systems, and possibly receive streams from your phone or laptop to play through whatever speakers you’ve connected. Few, if any, turntables on the market can claim that range of functionality.
All controls for the different functions are integrated into a clean, minimal interface on the unit. On the front you’ll find a dimmable LED display that provides feedback – such as the selected source (Vinyl, CD, Bluetooth, etc.), track numbers and time for CDs, and volume level if using certain outputs philips.sa. Philips includes a set of physical buttons and knobs on the FT1’s top and front for things like power, source selection, play/pause, Bluetooth pairing, Auracast broadcast mode, and the CD tray open/close philips.sa philips.sa. This means you don’t need a separate remote control for basic operations – you can walk up to the turntable and operate it much like classic stereo equipment. However, Philips is also offering a companion smartphone app (Philips Entertainment app) to enhance the experience philips.sa. Through the app, your phone can act as a remote control for the FT1, mirroring those playback controls and source selections digitally. The app likely also provides additional settings or firmware updates. One especially modern feature via the app is PartyLink mode which simplifies setting up that Auracast multi-speaker broadcasting philips.sa – basically, with a few taps you could beam your record to, say, three different Bluetooth speakers around your house in sync. It’s clear Philips wanted the FT1 to feel modern and convenient despite its legacy format capabilities.
Design-wise, the FT1 takes a “modern minimalist” approach rather than overt retro pastiche. Product photos (and the description) show a clean black chassis and a tinted dust cover that’s fully removable if you prefer the look without it philips.sa. The styling is relatively understated – it looks more like a contemporary hi-fi component than a vintage turntable, aside from the nod of having a physical media tray. This differs from some competitors (like Victrola’s and Crosley’s offerings, which often sport wood panels, old-fashioned grills or dials for that vintage vibe gearpatrol.com). Philips chose a sleeker aesthetic, likely to blend with a modern living room or component rack. The build is solid but not overbearing in size: the main unit measures roughly 42 cm × 37 cm and weighs about 3.7 kg (8.2 lbs) without packaging philips.sa philips.sa – about what you’d expect for a turntable with a metal platter and integrated electronics. It’s compact enough for most shelves or consoles. And for sustainability points, Philips notes that the FT1 uses 20% post-consumer recycled plastic in its construction and comes in plastic-free packaging with recycled cardboard philips.sa, aligning with environmentally conscious design trends.
A Complete System with Fidelio Wireless Speakers
While the Fidelio FT1 turntable can work with any audio setup, Philips has launched a matching set of speakers to create a cohesive system. The Philips Fidelio FA3 wireless active speakers were announced alongside the turntable, and they are meant to pair both aesthetically and sonically whathifi.com whathifi.com. These speakers come in a compact bookshelf form factor but pack some serious technology. Each FA3 speaker is bi-amplified, meaning it has separate amplifiers powering the high and low frequency drivers. Specifically, each speaker contains a 5-inch glass fiber mid/bass driver (for the low and mid frequencies) and a 1-inch titanium dome tweeter (for the treble) avforums.com. Philips rates each speaker at 2×50 W power – presumably 50 W to the woofer and 50 W to the tweeter per speaker – which is quite robust for an all-in-one active speaker of this size avforums.com. The company claims this design yields “precise power delivery” and uses an integrated active crossover network to ensure accurate timing and dynamics avforums.com. In plain terms, the FA3 speakers are engineered to provide clear, well-timed sound across the frequency range, and to play fairly loud without distortion for their size.
The FA3 speakers are versatile in terms of inputs, making them a good match for the FT1 but also useful as a general home media solution. On the wireless side, they support Bluetooth 5.4 and Auracast just like the turntable avforums.com. This means you could use them as the output for the FT1’s wireless stream (for a cable-free setup), or you could stream to them directly from a phone or other Bluetooth source. They can even be part of an Auracast broadcast group, so multiple FA3s (or the FT1 plus other devices) could all sync up. In addition, these speakers have an array of wired inputs: notably HDMI ARC, which allows direct connection to a TV for better TV sound; USB-C audio input for computers or mobile devices; optical (TOSLINK) digital input for things like media streamers or game consoles; and standard RCA line-in for analog sources avforums.com. They also likely have a 3.5 mm aux input (since an earlier spec list mentioned “RCA aux” which might refer to either RCA or 3.5 mm) whathifi.com. In short, the FA3 speakers can act as a hub for a small entertainment system – connect your TV, your turntable, maybe a phone via Bluetooth, all to these speakers, no separate receiver required.
Philips clearly intends the FT1 + FA3 to work together as a complete hi-fi system for those who want it. Used as a pair, the turntable and speakers would give you a ready-to-go stereo setup capable of playing vinyl, CDs, and streamed music, with no additional amp or wires (if you go the Bluetooth route). The two products share the Fidelio branding (which is Philips’ premium audio line) and have a matching modern look. They’re being marketed as separate products, however, so users can mix-and-match. If you already have a favorite pair of speakers or a hi-fi system, you can buy just the FT1 turntable and plug it in to your existing gear. Conversely, someone might buy the FA3 active speakers to upgrade their TV or computer sound, and then later add the turntable. Philips assures that the FA3 speakers will “play nicely” with the FT1 but also blend into many other setups given their broad connectivity options avforums.com. Each set of FA3 speakers even comes with its own remote control, and additional fine-tuning (like EQ adjustments or grouping for multi-room) is available via the same Philips app that the turntable uses avforums.com.
As for pricing and availability, Philips has labeled both the turntable and speakers as “premium affordable” products, suggesting they will aim to hit a sweet spot between high-end audiophile gear and entry-level mass-market kits whathifi.com. Official pricing has not been released as of the latest announcements. The company has indicated that both the Fidelio FT1 and FA3 speakers are scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2026 whathifi.com expertreviews.co.uk. That timeline likely targets availability in stores (and online) in early 2026, possibly in Europe first (since the announcement came via Philips’ European audio division) with North America and other regions to follow. Being a “premium affordable” offering might put the FT1 turntable in the mid-hundreds of dollars/pounds range and the speakers similarly, but we’ll have to await official numbers. For context, high-quality standalone turntables with Bluetooth can range anywhere from $300 to $800, and decent active bookshelf speakers often range $250 to $600, so one might speculate the FT1 and FA3 will each fall somewhere in that ballpark. Until Philips releases the exact price tags, however, this is only conjecture. Enthusiasts and publications like What Hi-Fi? are watching closely for price info and will update once Philips confirms it whathifi.com.
Competing Hybrid Systems – How Does Philips Compare?
Philips isn’t the first company to merge multiple playback formats into one product – but most existing all-in-one turntable systems on the market target a very different audience and price point. Brands like Victrola, Crosley, Electrohome, and others have popularized affordable record player consoles that include a mix of vinyl, CD, radio, and even cassette functionality built into a single unit with speakers. For example, Victrola’s recent “6-in-1” Century series turntables can play vinyl, CDs, and cassette tapes, and also have Bluetooth streaming and an aux input gearpatrol.com. Crosley offers products like the Rhapsody 7-in-1 Entertainment Center, a retro-styled unit that similarly features a 3-speed turntable, a CD player, AM/FM radio, built-in stereo speakers, and Bluetooth reception for playing music from your phone target.com target.com. These systems are designed as convenient one-box solutions: unbox them, and you have everything needed to start listening (no separate speakers or components required) gearpatrol.com target.com. They also heavily emphasize nostalgic design – often housed in wooden cabinets with vintage-inspired fabric speaker grilles, analog knobs, and sometimes even decorative analog clocks for that mid-century vibe gearpatrol.com gearpatrol.com. And importantly, they are very budget-friendly: many Victrola and Crosley all-in-one models sell in the ballpark of $100–$250 (for instance, Victrola’s Century and Century Signature+ models are roughly $150 and $250, respectively gearpatrol.com, and Crosley’s Rhapsody was recently listed around $130 target.com). These products have been quite popular as entry-level or novelty items, especially among casual listeners or as gifts, due to their low cost and “plays everything” appeal.
Where the new Philips Fidelio FT1 differs is in its hi-fi ambition and modular approach. Most of those all-in-one consoles (Victrola, Crosley, etc.) prioritize versatility and aesthetics over sound quality – and reviewers often note that their audio performance is a step down from dedicated separates. The built-in speakers in those units can cause vibrations that affect the turntable, and the components (tonearms, cartridges, etc.) are usually fairly basic gearpatrol.com. As Gear Patrol frankly put it, such all-in-one turntables “aren’t the best in terms of audio quality” and you shouldn’t expect to be blown away by the sound at those price points gearpatrol.com. They’re more about convenience and style. In fact, experienced vinyl enthusiasts often warn that cheap all-in-one players can even wear out records faster due to less refined tonearms or heavy tracking force. By contrast, Philips is aiming the FT1 at buyers who want convenience and quality. Rather than integrate speakers into the same box (which can introduce distortion and feedback), the FT1 is a standalone component – you have the freedom to pair it with quality external speakers (like the matching FA3, or any hi-fi speakers of your choice). This separation of turntable and speakers is a classic audiophile approach to minimize interference and maximize sound fidelity.
Feature-wise, Philips’ offering also edges into higher-end territory. It uses a proper magnetic cartridge (Audio Technica) and a solid aluminum tonearm/platter assembly, whereas many budget all-in-ones use inexpensive ceramic cartridges and lighter plastic parts. The inclusion of advanced Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast is another differentiator – most low-cost record consoles might include basic Bluetooth (typically only as a receiver to stream phone audio to the unit’s speakers), but they rarely, if ever, allow broadcasting out to other speakers, let alone multiple at once gearpatrol.com gearpatrol.com. Philips is essentially building a modern wireless ecosystem capability into its turntable, which aligns more with what tech-forward audio brands are doing than the old-school all-in-one makers.
It’s also worth noting that traditional turntable makers like Audio-Technica, Sony, Pro-Ject, and Technics have largely not combined CD playback into their turntables. Those brands offer excellent Bluetooth turntables (for instance, Audio-Technica’s AT-LP60XBT and AT-LP120XBT, or Sony’s PS-LX310BT, let you connect to wireless speakers easily techradar.com), but if you want to play a CD, you’d be buying a separate CD player. From that perspective, Philips is filling a small niche of vinyl+CD hybrid that mainstream hi-fi companies haven’t really addressed recently. There were some attempts decades ago – for example, mini-shelf systems in the 90s occasionally had a turntable on top of a CD/cassette system, and brands like Teac or Denon have made multi-format “music centers” – but in the 2020s, the FT1 is quite unique among major manufacturers.
In comparison to the Victrola and Crosley segment, the likely higher price of the Philips FT1/FA3 combo means it won’t compete directly for the ultra-budget consumer; instead, it targets the enthusiast or nostalgia-lover who is willing to pay for better build and sound. For instance, a Victrola 6-in-1 might satisfy someone looking for a cute living room accessory to occasionally play a thrift-store record or an old CD. The Philips FT1, on the other hand, is for someone who genuinely wants to enjoy their vinyl and CD collections with much higher fidelity – someone who might normally consider separates like a quality turntable and a CD player, but appreciates the novelty and space-saving of having both in one, without compromising too much on performance. We don’t have direct user reviews of the FT1 yet (since it’s not out until 2026), but the reception to the announcement in audiophile communities has been intrigued. Many see it as a welcome alternative for people who straddle the analog/digital divide. If Philips nails the execution, the FT1 could carve out a nice little corner of the market for itself. And given Philips’ long hiatus from traditional hi-fi components, this product (and its speakers) could mark a broader return of Philips to enthusiast audio, which is exciting in itself for long-time fans of the brand.
The Vinyl Revival Meets Digital Convenience
The emergence of products like the Philips FT1 is a direct response to the ongoing vinyl revival and a growing nostalgia for older formats among younger generations. Vinyl records have, of course, made a huge comeback – a trend visible since the mid-2000s and solidified in the 2010s as annual vinyl sales broke records (pun intended) year after year. What’s interesting lately is that Gen Z and millennials who grew up on MP3s and streaming are now embracing tangible media they never experienced as kids. A report in 2023 showed a noticeable uptick in interest not just in vinyl but also in CDs and even cassettes among younger consumers gearpatrol.com gearpatrol.com. It seems the appeal is multi-faceted: there’s the tangible, collectible aspect (album art, liner notes, the ritual of playing a record), a desire for better sound quality or at least a different sound experience than compressed streams, and a fashion/cultural statement in owning physical media in a digital age.
Manufacturers are capitalizing on this trend by blending retro and modern in product design. We see it in everything from instant film cameras to vintage-style keyboards – and in audio, it’s very pronounced. Some go for full retro aesthetics: for example, Philips’ own Century Series (launched early 2025) included “The Tina,” a turntable with a heavy dose of 1970s styling (wood grain finish, fabric grille) but hiding a modern 120 W speaker system inside whathifi.com whathifi.com. That product, touted as “the most powerful all-in-one turntable hi-fi system,” even built in an FM/DAB+ radio and tone controls, mixing old tech and new whathifi.com whathifi.com. Clearly, Philips sees an appetite for “retro-modern” gear – products that trigger nostalgia yet aren’t stuck in the past technologically. Other brands like Technics have similarly modernized classic turntable designs with Bluetooth and USB outputs, catering to newbies who want ease of use along with that vintage turntable look whathifi.com whathifi.com.
The Philips Fidelio FT1 sits at an interesting intersection of these trends. It’s not dressed up in mid-century decor – it’s fairly modern-looking – but conceptually it’s a “retro combo”: vinyl and CD, two formats from past decades that each have devoted followings. By giving it Bluetooth streaming and app control, Philips acknowledges that even retro-minded users enjoy modern convenience (after all, many vinyl listeners also use Spotify or Tidal to discover music). It’s a balancing act of old and new. A spokesperson from Philips (or rather, the philosophy behind the product) might say that the goal is to let people enjoy their music collections in all forms without hassle – spin your dad’s old jazz LP, then queue up a ’90s mix CD you burned in high school, and maybe later stream a playlist from your phone, all through one system. As What Hi-Fi? noted in its coverage, the FT1 “combines physical media with modern streaming” in a way that few products do whathifi.com.
There’s also a practical trend here: space-saving and simplicity. Not everyone has the room or budget for a full stack of separate components (turntable, CD deck, receiver, etc.). An all-in-one or two-piece system appeals to those who want fewer boxes and cables. Younger consumers in particular, who may be used to the plug-and-play world of smart speakers, might find a combined unit less intimidating than assembling a full hi-fi rack. The key is doing it without sacrificing the sound too much. That’s where Philips is trying to differentiate itself from the cheap all-in-one record players. By using higher-grade components and offering the speakers as separate (but wireless) units, they’re aiming to deliver both convenience and credible performance.
Early commentary from audio experts suggests optimism. The FT1 and FA3 got attention at the reveal event – listeners are curious if this could be a gateway system that draws newcomers deeper into hi-fi. Andy White of Expert Reviews highlighted the FT1’s unique position as a “turntable-cum-CD player” with a proper Audio-Technica stylus, and noted the FA3 speakers’ solid specs, calling the whole setup part of Philips’ “more premium Fidelio lineup” amid the centenary releases expertreviews.co.uk expertreviews.co.uk. The fact that Philips is re-entering this space at all is noteworthy; it shows confidence that the vinyl boom isn’t slowing and that there’s room to innovate with format hybrids. As long as the FT1 delivers on sound, it could inspire competing brands to consider similar hybrids. Who knows – maybe in a year or two we’ll see Audio-Technica add a CD player to one of its turntables, or Sony release a modern version of those 80s combo systems (one can dream!). For now, Philips has this niche largely to itself.
In summary, the Philips Fidelio FT1 turntable with CD player is shaping up to be a compelling all-in-one solution for audio enthusiasts who straddle analog and digital worlds. It packs a lot into a stylish package: vinyl playback with audiophile touches, CD playback for that shiny-disc nostalgia, and cutting-edge wireless connectivity for the streaming era. Pair it with the matching FA3 wireless speakers, and you’ve got a versatile hi-fi system that covers decades of music formats out of the box. It’s a product that resonates with the current retro-modern zeitgeist – proof that even in 2025, our old records and CDs aren’t ready for the dustbin just yet, and that technology can breathe new life into old ways of listening. As the Gear Patrol editors put it, seeing interest in tapes and CDs alongside vinyl is “pretty neat,” and products like this one show how the industry is responding to our collective nostalgia gearpatrol.com gearpatrol.com. Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile with shelves of records, or a Gen-Z listener curious about spinning your first LP, Philips’ new hybrid turntable invites you to enjoy the best of both analog and digital – all with one stylish piece of kit.
Sources: Philips/What Hi-Fi news (K. Kabir) whathifi.com whathifi.com; What Hi-Fi? Century range report whathifi.com whathifi.com; Philips official product page philips.sa philips.sa; AVForums news (I. Collen) avforums.com avforums.com; Expert Reviews (A. White) expertreviews.co.uk; Gear Patrol (T. Bowe) gearpatrol.com gearpatrol.com; Target/Crosley product info target.com; What Hi-Fi? news (Sept 2025) whathifi.com.
