REKKORD F100 Turntable is a Turnkey $399 Solution For People Starting with Audiophile Vinyl

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REKKORD Audio, the company whose extensive selection of high-end turntables is meticulously designed and handmade in one of Europe’s foremost audio manufacturing facilities, is bringing its high performance, intuitive F100 turntable to U.S.-based music lovers who are ready to partake in the satisfying sounds of vinyl records without breaking the bank for the privilege. 

The REKKORD F100 (MSRP: $399) features a build quality on a par with products costing hundreds more, yet its sleek design and simplicity of use are perfectly suited to today’s casual listeners. The F100 is equally at home on a desktop or mantle connected to a pair of powered speakers, or in a rack full of complementary audio gear. Simply plug it in and discover (or rediscover) the joy of hearing music pressed to vinyl. 

REKKORD F100 turntable brings audiophile performance with no installation woes to entry-level audiophiles
REKKORD F100 turntable brings audiophile performance with no installation woes to entry-level audiophiles

“Whether it’s connected to a pair of powered speakers or integrated in a traditional stereo system, the REKKORD F100 offers the ideal blend of exceptional performance and ease of operation,” says Roy Feldstein, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) VANA Ltd., exclusive North American importer of REKKORD turntables. “No matter the arrangement, it will provide countless hours of pleasure without the extensive set-up requirements of more complicated models.” 

Featuring an eye-catching black satin matte finish that blends with any decor, the F100 is comprised of some of the finest components available, including a heavy aluminum platter for enhanced stability through years of heavy use. A low-mass tonearm reduces vinyl wear to the bare minimum. 

Attached to the tonearm is a pre-mounted Audio Technica 3600L cartridge, which is typically associated with turntables at significantly higher price points. Rounding out the package are pre-adjusted tracking force and anti-skating settings to ensure accurate playback, and a chassis made of pressed wood that reduces resonance, resulting in sound the way it was meant to be heard, without interference from vibration and other anomalies. 

Adds Mr. Feldstein: “REKKORD turntables are direct descendants of some of the most well-respected and sought after products on the planet. We are thrilled to make them available to consumers who crave an outstanding, yet simple solution for enjoying the new generation of vinyl albums.” 

Rekkord Turntables: A Company History

Rekkord Audio may be a relatively new name to many audiophiles, but its roots go deep into the long and storied history of German analog audio manufacturing. Based in St. Georgen in Germany’s Black Forest region, Rekkord is built upon decades of turntable design and production experience. This isn’t a pop-up brand capitalizing on the vinyl revival—it’s a continuation of a very real legacy, carried forward by the same hands that built many of the German turntables audiophiles have trusted for years.

The story of Rekkord begins with Fehrenbacher GmbH, a manufacturing company with a long association with Dual turntables. When the original Dual company split into separate entities, one focused on branding and international distribution, and the other—Fehrenbacher—continued to manufacture turntables in the same factory where Dual had built its reputation. Over the years, Fehrenbacher kept the tradition alive, quietly building mechanical turntables for other brands. But eventually, the company decided to step out from the background and launch its own brand: Rekkord Audio.

This decision allowed the company to bring its knowledge, experience, and manufacturing capabilities directly to market without relying on licensing or external brand direction. Rekkord was born as a way to protect and promote true German-made analog gear in a market that had become increasingly globalized, and often diluted by badge-engineering or outsourced manufacturing.

The launch of Rekkord marked a return to form for traditional, fully mechanical turntables. These are not digital-hybrid, touchscreen-controlled devices or ultra-minimalist art pieces. Instead, Rekkord tables focus on precision mechanics, user-friendly operation, and long-term serviceability—core values that have largely disappeared from the entry- and mid-level analog market.

Rekkord’s product line is straightforward and purpose-driven. It includes fully automatic models such as the F100F300, and F400 series. These tables are designed for ease of use—press a button, and the tonearm lifts, cues, plays, and returns—all handled through a mechanical linkage system that’s entirely analog. This makes them ideal for casual listeners or those new to vinyl who don’t want the hassle of manual operation but still care about good sound and proper handling of their records.

At the higher end of the line, Rekkord offers manual tables like the M500 and M600, aimed at more advanced listeners who want greater control over setup and playback. These models feature heavier platters, improved bearings, upgraded tonearms, and internal damping materials that help reduce noise and resonance. While not positioned as ultra-high-end audiophile tables, they deliver excellent build quality and thoughtful engineering at a price point that’s competitive and realistic.

One of the major distinctions between Rekkord and many other turntable brands in the same price range is its manufacturing philosophy. Rekkord designs and builds nearly every part of its turntables in-house at the St. Georgen facility. The tonearms, sub-chassis suspensions, platter bearings, cueing mechanisms, and cabinetry are all made under one roof, allowing for tight quality control and consistency across the product line.

This level of vertical integration is uncommon in today’s turntable market. Many brands, especially those selling in the entry- to mid-tier price categories, rely on third-party parts or full OEM builds from factories in Asia or Eastern Europe. While that’s not inherently a bad thing, it does mean that many turntables on the market today share the same internal parts, tonearms, or motors—regardless of the branding. With Rekkord, what you’re getting is original design and manufacturing, guided by decades of mechanical experience in the analog space.

The choice to focus on mechanical operation rather than digital control systems also speaks to Rekkord’s design philosophy. Mechanical systems, when well-designed, are extremely durable and serviceable. They don’t depend on software updates, proprietary firmware, or fragile control boards. If something breaks, it can often be repaired or replaced with basic tools and know-how. That long-term maintainability is increasingly rare in consumer electronics and has become a selling point for vinyl enthusiasts who see their turntables as lifelong investments rather than disposable devices.

Rekkord has also taken care to voice its products for real-world listening environments. These aren’t ultra-clinical designs intended only for reference systems—they’re musical, balanced, and forgiving enough to perform well in a wide variety of setups. Many models come pre-installed with cartridges from Ortofon, which gives new users a plug-and-play starting point without needing to worry about tonearm matching or cartridge alignment.

Although Rekkord is still building its brand identity globally, particularly in North America, the company has already found a foothold among listeners who value honest design, real engineering, and long-term ownership. Its position in the market is clear: offer quality analog performance, backed by a heritage of German manufacturing, at prices that reflect the product—not the marketing story.

As vinyl continues its slow but steady resurgence, brands like Rekkord fill an important role. They bridge the gap between nostalgic interest and serious hi-fi performance. For those who want to own a turntable that’s more than a fashion statement—one that’s built to last, built to be serviced, and built to sound good—Rekkord offers a compelling option rooted in decades of know-how, not just recent trends.

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Doald \le

Tri-Cell Enterprises distributes Rekkord in Canada

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