Philips Fidelio FT1: the hybrid vinyl and CD player that reconciles the eras

Apparently, many of you own extensive record collections where vinyl records and audio CDs still sit in your living room, reminding you of unforgettable moments, unused since you traded your hi-fi system for a connected speaker (or speakers). Admittedly, the CD market, following the vinyl market, is in sharp decline, even though vinyl is currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity. This situation has also led to the collapse of the market for CD players. However, the paradox of the current physical market is fascinating: while the black disc has recently surpassed the silver format in terms of revenue, the CD retains an extremely solid base of loyal audiophiles. This dual dynamic therefore justifies the arrival of such a hybrid machine. Two historic technologies finally reunited by their creator. Philips has thus chosen to offer those of you nostalgic for surface noise and the beginnings of "digital sound" a kind of chimera that meets your expectations. Indeed, the brand has dared to combine within a single component two technologies that were long rivals and at the origin of a veritable battle to the death between the old guard and the new guard in the small world of High Fidelity. This is why Philips is particularly well-positioned to give birth to the tool of reconciliation. It's worth recalling that, as early as the 1950s, after producing 78 rpm records, Philips actively participated in the development of the microgroove record, in other words, our current vinyl. Similarly, in the early 1980s, more precisely in December 1982, it was in collaboration with Sony that Philips launched the audio CD. It's quite natural that Philips would design the Fidelio FT1 turntable, a veritable time machine for Hi-Fi, capable of offering our/your old media optimal conditions for sound reproduction. A classic design concealing a true audio Swiss Army knife. At first glance, the Fidelio FT1 looks like a conventional turntable. It features a heavy, belt-driven platter, a tonearm with traditional tracking force and anti-skating adjustments, and a standard 33/45 RPM speed selector. It should be noted that Philips has opted for an Audio-Technica moving magnet (MM) cartridge, a guarantee of quality. It is by observing its front panel that the expert eye of its owner, a devotee of the velvety "vinyl sound," will detect the ignominious presence of a drawer-type CD player. On the other hand, it will delight those uncompromising in their appreciation of the transparency and dynamic attack of CDs. More seriously, the FT1 thus becomes the "Swiss Army knife" of audio formats from bygone eras. A masterful technical coexistence and universal connectivity. However, combining a turntable and a CD player in the same unit while fully exploiting the strengths of each technology is less straightforward than it seems. It's important to remember that CD players generate considerable vibrations during playback, which could eventually damage the vinyl section. Philips has therefore carefully dampened each component to ensure the two mechanisms remain isolated from each other. Furthermore, each type of media produces a different signal: an analog signal for vinyl, a digital stream for CDs. Since the FT1 aims to become the universal playback tool for physical media (when will a cassette deck be included?), Philips has equipped it with the necessary features to harmonize the different sources. Thus, it includes an internal preamplifier and a digital-to-analog converter for connecting to a conventional amplifier or powered speakers via its analog RCA outputs. Note that a headphone output, on a 3.5 mm mini-jack, is also present, providing some autonomy. Bluetooth 5.4 and Auracast compatibility are included. In terms of modern features, unlike the previous configuration, the Fidelio FT1 is equipped with an analog-to-digital converter to apply the analog signal from the vinyl section to a Bluetooth 5.4 transmitter compatible with Auracast. As a reminder, this latest-generation function, linked to Bluetooth LE Audio, offers a real technical advantage: it allows the sound from the turntable to be streamed simultaneously to an unlimited number of compatible headphones or speakers, radically transforming the home listening experience for multiple people. This allows you to combine this turntable with the latest digital audio components under optimal conditions. The FA3 Bluetooth wireless speakers offered by the brand (see photo below), among others, are a perfect illustration of this type of use. With the Fidelio FT1, Philips has therefore succeeded in a bold move by combining analog and digital in a single device. Far from being a simple nostalgic gadget, this hybrid player stands out as an elegant and (above all) affordable bridge between yesterday's physical media and today's wireless streaming methods, allowing you to once again enjoy your albums with very satisfying audio quality. A great way to dust off your shelves without sacrificing the convenience of modern technology. Available now. Suggested retail price: €299. To answer your questions about retailers offering the Philips FT1 Fidelio in France at the time of writing, please visit the Fnac website by clicking on the following link: Philips FT1. Key features of the Philips FT1 hybrid turntable and CD player: - Turntable with integrated CD player - 33/45 RPM turntable - CD player compatible with CD, CD-R/RW, and MP3 CDs - Analog outputs: RCA line level, 3.5 mm mini-jack headphone output - Bluetooth 5.4: SBC, AAC, LC3 - Power consumption: 5 W - Standby power consumption: <0.8 W - Dimensions: 420 x 130 x 370 mm - Weight: 3.7 kg