The Sound Burger is a portable record player developed by Audio-Technica of Japan. Originally released in 1983, it was brought back in an updated form in 2022.

Sound Burger
TypeRecord player
Inception1983
ManufacturerAudio-Technica
Models madeAT770
AT-SB2022
AT-SB727

The original Sound Burger (model no. AT770) was marketed in the United States as the Mister Disc. It was battery operated was sold with a set of fold-away headphones, and was able to play both 33- and 45-RPM records.[1][2]

Sound Burger AT-SB727 in yellow with a record

On 1 November 2022, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Audio-Technica, a batch of 7,000 new Sound Burgers were announced and available for purchase for $199.99 and quickly sold out. The units are all in red, with some changes from the original model such as: a rechargeable battery charged through USB-C, Bluetooth audio connection, normal buttons along with indicator lights instead of toggle switches, and a plaque to the back commemorating the anniversary.[3][4][5][6] Following its success, on 5 January 2023, Audio-Technica announced a wider re-release of this edition without the commemorative plaque.[7] Now known as the AT-SB727, it keeps the changes introduced in the SB2022 model and is available in yellow, black, and white.

Specifications edit

Model AT770 AT-SB2022 / AT-SB727[8]
Release year 1983 2022/2023
Type Belt-drive transcription turntable platter Belt-drive
Platter 90 mm aluminium Aluminium
Motor DC, electronically controlled DC, servo
Speeds 33+13 and 45 RPM 33+13 and 45 RPM
Signal to Noise >50 dB >50 dB
Tone arm Dynamically balanced Dynamically balanced
Cartridge AT103 VM
Frequency response 30–25000 Hz
Output 110 mV per channel (line out); 36 mW per channel (headphones) 150 mV nominal at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec
Power 4.5 V DC (3 C batteries) DC 3.6 V lithium ion battery (USB-C input)
Battery life 12 hours 12 hours
Dimensions 290 by 99 by 65 millimetres (11.4 in × 3.9 in × 2.6 in) 290 by 100 x 70 millimetres
Weight 1.2 kilograms (2.6 lb) 900 grams (32 oz)

References edit

  1. ^ Takiff, Jonathan (May 2, 1984). "Go, Look & Listen". Philadelphia Daily News. Philadelphia Media Network: 54 – via ProQuest.
  2. ^ Shah, Dhiram (September 22, 2007). "Mister Disc – A personal portable phono system". New Launches. Archived from the original on October 2, 2007.
  3. ^ "Portable Bluetooth turntable – AT-SB2022". www.audio-technica.com. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  4. ^ Harding, Scharon (November 1, 2022). "Sound Burger portable record player returns from the '80s with Bluetooth, USB-C". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022.
  5. ^ Cohen, Simon (November 1, 2022). "The Sound Burger is back. Audio-Technica revives its vinyl Walkman for a new generation". Digital Trends. Digital Trends Media Group. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022.
  6. ^ Marino, Andrew (November 1, 2022). "Audio-Technica's 1980s Sound Burger portable turntable is back". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022.
  7. ^ "Audio-Technica Wowed by Response to Limited-Edition Release of 'Sound Burger' Portable Turntable". www.audio-technica.com. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  8. ^ "AT-SB727". www.audio-technica.com. Retrieved 2024-05-05.