1 by ONE Record Player Review: A Rare Win for All-in-one Turntables

“Wait…so this won’t wreck my records?”
If you’ve ever asked that, you’re already ahead of most new vinyl enthusiasts trying to get into the hobby.

See, all-in-one turntables get a bad rap.
Some of it’s deserved. Most are cheap plastic boxes that sound thin and chew up the grooves of your precious records.

But a few, like the 1 by one record player, are built different:
A plug-and-play turntable that’s easy to use, looks good on a shelf, and (most importantly) won’t harm your vinyl.

It’s not built for the hi-fi crowd – it’s built for normal people who just want to listen without stress.

And that’s why we think it deserves a closer look.

Because if you’ve been wondering whether the 1 by one record player is the real deal or just another pretty box, we’ll help you figure out if this is the one that finally ends your search and gets you into vinyl the right way.

Table of Contents

In this guide, we’ll unpack what the 1 by one record player is really about-why they show up on every “best beginner record player” list, what they get right, and where they fall short. You’ll get a clear picture of what’s safe, what’s smart, and what’s just marketing noise.

1. What Makes All-in-One Record Players Different
2. The 1 by one H009 – What It Gets Right
3. What It’s Not Meant For
4. How It Compares to Other All-in-Ones
5. Conclusion: The Honest Takeaway

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What Makes All-in-One Record Players Different

If you’re here, I know one thing – you’re curious about vinyl but not trying to turn your living room into a science experiment.

You want to spin records, not study preamps and impedance loads.

That’s exactly where all-in-one record players come in.

They’re designed for simplicity.
Everything – the turntable, preamp, amp, and speakers, lives in one clean box. You plug it in, drop a record, and music plays. No extra gear, no guesswork.

The catch? Most compromise on the promise of that sweet vinyl sound and the cheaper needle/tonearm component can cause wear of your records. Luckily, there are a few, like the 1 by one record player that sits in that sweet spot: one box, minimal fuss, but some real, solid components.

But let’s compare that to a traditional turntable setup, where you need at least one more piece of gear just to hear sound (powered speakers). And that’s before you even think about an amplifier, cables, or stands.:

It’s no wonder beginners tend to start by looking at the all in one record player.

Here’s a quick, objective comparison between a traditional turntable setup and an all-in-one record player.

Honestly, there’s no right answer here. It just comes down to how you want to listen today. If that means one box and zero setup, great. If you’d rather build it piece by piece, also great. Your setup can change — what matters is that you actually use it.

The 1 by one H009 – What It Gets Right

You might be expecting a pretty flimsy piece of gear. This isn’t that.

The 1 by ONE record player is a rare exception – sitting near the top of the all-in-one category, and a huge step up in both record safety and sound. It’s not an audiophile grade turntable, but for what it is, it’s built with real components that actually make a big difference in your listening experience.

There’s a lot to like here. Let’s break it down.

Off the bat, you’re going to notice it’s about 2x the price of the usual suspects – the Crosleys and Victrolas you see at Target. And that’s actually pretty appropriate.

You’ve got a proper belt-drive system, a real counterweighted tonearm, and an Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge. Those three alone make it play in a completely different league than the $60 suitcase players everyone warns you about.

The foundation here is solid.

The speakers are a big jump too – 36 watts total power, which is closer to entry-level active speakers and way above the 6-watt setups in most all-in-ones. You’ll hear it immediately: less tin, more fullness.

And something you almost never see at this level — an adjustable counterweight. That one detail keeps your stylus tracking right and your records safe for the long haul.

The Bluetooth input is a nice touch, and you can always RCA out to powered speakers later if you want to upgrade. The built-in preamp makes it easy.

All things considered, this is about as good as all-in-ones get.

It nails the fundamentals, sounds clean, and won’t wreck your records. In our eyes, that alone sets the 1 by one record player as one of the best picks for people getting into vinyl who care about enjoying the music, not just owning the aesthetic.

What It’s Not Meant For

But let’s set expectations clearly – this won’t be a forever setup for many vinyl enthusiasts

And that’s not a bad thing. It’s just built for a different goal.

The 1 by one record player isn’t for the person who wants to spend weekends tweaking tonearms, comparing cartridges, or testing isolation pads. It’s for the person who wants to drop a record, hear something that actually sounds good, and not worry about doing it wrong.

Don’t get us wrong – if you’re chasing that true vinyl sound, starting out with a system that grows with you is the move. It’s not outrageously expensive either, maybe around $300–$500 for a solid entry-level setup that’ll last.

To be honest, the hard part is figuring out what actually works together. It can definitely be overwhelming at first, scrolling through a million options and conflicting opinions on r/turntables.

But if you are trying to go that route and start on the most true vinyl listening path, check our free, comprehensive tool that turns the chaos of setup planning into one clean flow. Choose your gear, match compatible parts, and preview your full setup (and cost) before buying:

Or, if you’d rather see real-world examples first, check out our Builds page – we’ve laid out complete setups, including our favorite beginner combo, The Aspiring Audiophile’s Den.

But with the 1byone you can’t modify much – no cartridge upgrades, no way to replace the internal amp or speakers. Everything inside is pre-tuned to work together.

That’s the trade-off: convenience over control.

“It’s not the system you grow with — it’s the one that gets you started the right way.”

How It Compares to Other All-in-Ones

Here it is — side by side with the other popular all-in-one turntables you’ve probably seen floating around Amazon, Target, or TikTok.

We’ve also put together a full guide that compares all these players (and a few more) side by side, with clear upgrade paths so you can see exactly where each one fits in your vinyl journey. You will show you that later on the article if you want to dig a bit deeper than this.

What It’s Missing Compared to Higher-End Models

As we just saw, there’s a lot to like about the 1 by one record player – but there are also a few things it leaves on the table.
And honestly, that’s expected. It’s built to simplify, not to tinker.

The biggest difference, again, is the speakers.
When you move them out, separating the turntable from the sound system, everything opens up. You get wider stereo imaging, better bass, and the freedom to upgrade piece by piece. That’s the natural next step once you’ve outgrown an all-in-one

You’ll also notice:

• No adjustable anti-skate (though it tracks safely as-is).
• Limited vibration isolation, compared to heavier wood or MDF plinths found on true hi-fi decks.

None of that’s a dealbreaker.

But it’s what separates “really good for what it is” from “built to grow with you.”

And we think that’s the right mindset to have here.

If you are still comparing starter options and want another perspective, check out this vinyl buyers guide.

Conclusion: The Honest Takeaway

Nobody’s claiming these players are studio gear.

They’re starter kits – but good ones.

They make vinyl feel approachable. They look great sitting on a shelf, they play your records safely, and they remind you why music feels better when it’s physical.

Once you’ve spun enough to crave that next level of sound, you’ll know where to go.

All-in-ones are great for a huge percentage of people—but choosing the right one is harder than it looks. In our full Record Player Guide, we laid out the best, safest options with clear upgrade paths, so you can start spinning with confidence.

The forums are half-right—there’s a sea of junk out there. But when you know what to look for, it’s easy to find the gems that actually sound good and protect your records.

When you are ready to step into the deeper side of vinyl, where the world of true hi-fi builds get you that full magical listening experience, we will be here waiting. Our builds page is the perfect place to start that next chapter, with setups designed for every kind of listener.

Welcome to the club. You are one of us now.

And if you’ve got any setup questions, feel free to reach out at info@recordbuilds.com or DM us on Instagram.