Analog Gear News

One objection that vinyl playback naysayers often bring up is having to get up to flip the record or change tracks, or to repeat a favorite one. Not so with the forthcoming CoolGeek TS-01 turntable, as you can control this record player from your listening position via a remote controller.

The TS-01’s custom “remote-controlled track navigation” functionality enables repeating and/or skipping of tracks via either an included remote control or by way of the front-panel buttons that comprise the “control panel.” Users can also start or end playback — that is, lift the tonearm — by remote control. CoolGeek claim that the remote is operational up to 10m (or about 33ft) away, under optimal conditions. Based on how user experiences and feedback play out, a control app for mobile devices might be considered for future releases.

Connectivity for the TS-01 turntable is also modernized with Bluetooth 5.3 (SBC codec) connectivity to work with wireless speakers or headphones; a pair of RCA connectors allow wired connection. It’s also equipped with a built-in phono preamp. However, there’s no bypass option — i.e., users can’t use a separate phono preamp — but CoolGeek told us that they might consider making the internal phono preamp optionally defeatable for a future release. On the plus side, this setup is handy for novices, as it’s all-inclusive, and the phono preamp is already set to match the included moving-magnet (MM) cartridge’s “tonality” — and, presumably, output specs (more on that below). The belt-driven TS-01 deploys a DC servo motor and handles 33⅓ and 45rpm playback speeds.

In response to my questions about the mechanics involved with the TS-01 — and reducing potential noise therein — CoolGeek explained that a “precision motor system” drives the automatic functions. When not in active operation, the motor system stays silent during playback to avoid interference with the audio signal.

The table’s slim plinth is made of ABS, which (for those of who may not know) stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a thermoplastic polymer. Fun fact: ABS also happens to be the same material LEGO bricks are made of — though this is reported to be a higher-grade version of that material. The company said they selected the material for “its structural stability and resonance-dampening properties.” The TS-01 table will be available in two finishes, Deep Black and Light Gray. (The Light Gray option can be seen above.)

The platter is aluminum, and the table comes with a felt mat and a fluorescent acrylic slipmat, in addition to ambiance. There are six user-selectable color choices for the LED lighting beneath the platter.

The tonearm sounds like a quality high point. Its wand is carbon fiber, and at the end is a pre-installed and factory-calibrated Audio-Technica AT-3600-L MM cartridge with an ABS and carbon-fiber cantilever and bonded conical stylus. The TS-01 also comes with a dust cover, 12V DC power supply, RCA cable (1m), and 45rpm adapter.

One caveat: The CoolGeek TS-01 turntable is not yet available, and the company told us they need to raise some additional funding to get production to the finish line. Two other CoolGeek tables — the CS-01 ($599), and the VS-01 vertical-playback model ($949, as of this posting) — are currently available, however.

A Kickstarter campaign for the TS-01’s production is slated to launch March 15, 2026, so click on the site link below for updates. CoolGeek confirmed that the TS-01 will be available direct to consumers online — so, all you cool geeks out there, get ready to kick back and enjoy the joys of vinyl listening, while not having to get up as often.

For more about CoolGeek, go here.