SOUND BURGER (The FUN Audiophile GIFT) JUST GOT BETTER!
United States of Analog | December 9, 2024
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
The video discusses the Audio Technica Sound Burger portable turntable and promises to share a tip on how to make it sound better. The host covers the product’s history, features, and his personal experiences using it.
What gear, products, or brands are discussed?
- Audio Technica Sound Burger: $199 retail price, portable turntable with rechargeable battery, Bluetooth capability, mini jack to RCA output, available in white and yellow color variations
- Audio Technica ATN 3600 cartridge: $20 retail price, white cartridge with conical stylus, commonly found on entry-level turntables
- Bluetooth speaker: mentioned as companion device for the Sound Burger
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- The Sound Burger falls somewhere between a novelty item and an entry-level turntable [00:02:09]
- He’s “not a super fan” of the ATN 3600 cartridge because it has a conical stylus [00:03:24]
- He doesn’t play valued audiophile recordings on the Sound Burger [00:03:31]
- The portability feature is what makes the Sound Burger fun [00:03:37]
- Supply availability has improved significantly since the 2022 re-release when units sold out in minutes [00:01:41]
Were there any strong recommendations or warnings to viewers?
- Warns about potential damage during air travel: “I don’t know how it’s gonna do in your suitcase, you know, it’s gonna get banged around” [00:04:06]
Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?
- Host jokes about viewers testing his patience: “I have pretty thick skin, but you guys have been testing me lately. I’m thinking I’m gonna do a crazy comments video” [00:00:36]
- Humorous anecdote about buying a Sound Burger as a gift for his son who didn’t want it: “they didn’t want it. You know what I didn’t ask twice. I kept it for myself” [00:02:01]
- Self-deprecating humor about holding a baseball while discussing audio gear: “It’s a lot more natural even though a baseball has nothing to do with a sound burger. I should be holding a hamburger” [00:01:27]
- Admits he’s “terrified to watch” his first review video [00:01:04]
3-Paragraph Summary:
Host Bob opens this video promising a tip to improve the Sound Burger’s performance, though he hasn’t revealed the actual tip yet. He establishes his history with the product, noting it was the subject of his very first YouTube review a year and a half ago when he had no subscribers. The Sound Burger, which retails for $199, has seen much better availability since its 2022 re-release when units sold out within minutes of being offered.
The host provides background on the Audio Technica Sound Burger, explaining it was originally developed in Japan in the early 1980s and released in the US around 1983 as “Mr. Disc.” The modern version features significant updates including a rechargeable battery, Bluetooth connectivity, and RCA output options, differing substantially from the original battery-operated model that came with foldable headphones. It comes equipped with an Audio Technica ATN 3600 cartridge, a $20 conical stylus cartridge commonly found on entry-level turntables.
Bob positions the Sound Burger as falling between a novelty item and entry-level turntable, emphasizing that its main appeal lies in its portability rather than audiophile-grade performance. He shares a positive experience taking it on a recent vacation to the Texas coast, where he successfully brought vinyl playback to a condo setting with family and friends. While he acknowledges he wouldn’t use it for his valued audiophile recordings and isn’t particularly fond of the included cartridge, he appreciates the fun factor and unique experience of portable vinyl playback.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
Gear, Products, or Brands Discussed
- [00:04:42] Sony Walkman (development started 1979, US release 1981)
- [00:04:42] Audio Technica Sound Burger
- [00:06:11] Toshiba (mentioned as Walkman copycat)
- [00:07:15] Seven transistor radios
- [00:07:27] Current Sound Burger cartridge with conical stylus
- [00:07:32] New Audio Technica Black 3600 stylus with elliptical tip
Host’s Key Findings, Verdicts, or Opinions
- [00:04:42] Theory that Sound Burger was Audio Technica’s response to compete with Sony’s Walkman success
- [00:06:28] Believes nobody really needed a portable record player, but Audio Technica “had to come up with something to compete”
- [00:06:42] Calls it “kind of an audio gem” despite limitations
- [00:06:54] Emphasizes “this is not audiophile sound” and doesn’t want to sell it as an audiophile product
- [00:07:01] Views it as “more than a novelty” with “some real everyday use”
Listening Tests or Sound Quality Observations
- [00:06:44] Reports only 50 dB signal-to-noise ratio
- [00:06:49] States “the sound isn’t great” but “will do in a pinch”
- [00:05:34] Praised original Walkman for “stereo separation center image” compared to single-ear transistor radios
Audiophile Tips, Advice, or How-To Content
- [00:07:09] Recommends pairing with wireless headphones for listening
- [00:07:12] Advises against using audiophile records on the Sound Burger
Memorable Quotes or Strong Takes
- [00:04:49] “I’m barely an audiophile” (self-deprecating humor)
- [00:05:09] “The Walkman changed the whole game. It was an amazing revolution in sound”
- [00:06:01] Audio companies were left “scattering unprepared” by the Walkman’s success
Summary
The host presents his theory about the Audio Technica Sound Burger’s origins, suggesting it was created as Audio Technica’s response to Sony’s revolutionary Walkman success in the early 1980s. He argues that when the Walkman disrupted the portable audio market in 1981, audio companies scrambled to compete, and Audio Technica—being primarily in the stylus, cartridge, and turntable business rather than tape—developed the Sound Burger as their portable audio solution, even though nobody really needed a portable record player.
The host is candid about the Sound Burger’s limitations, describing it as having poor sound quality with only 50 dB signal-to-noise ratio and emphasizing that it’s not an audiophile product. However, he still considers it “more than a novelty” with genuine everyday use potential, recommending it be paired with wireless headphones while cautioning against using valuable audiophile records on the device.
The discussion builds toward introducing what the host calls a “Sound Burger upgrade”—a new Audio Technica Black 3600 cartridge with an elliptical stylus to replace the current conical stylus, suggesting this improvement might change his assessment about using better records on the device. His overall tone balances enthusiasm for the product’s fun factor with realistic expectations about its audio performance limitations.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
Gear, Products, and Brands Discussed
- Audio Technica Sound Burger turntable
- Audio Technica ATN-3600-LE elliptical replacement stylus ($40-50)
- Original conical stylus ($20)
- Host’s “good gear all around the house” and record collection (including tone poets)
Host’s Final Verdict or Conclusion
[00:09:30] The elliptical stylus upgrade makes for “a better Sound burger” and provides “peace of mind” when playing records, even though it won’t dramatically improve sound quality.
Final Recommendations
[00:07:55] Buy/Consider: Order the ATN-3600-LE elliptical stylus upgrade for $40, keep the original $20 conical stylus as backup
[00:08:53] Caveat: Wouldn’t use it on most valuable records like tone poets, but good for newer records and good pressings
Final Tips, Caveats, and Advice for Viewers
[00:08:17] Don’t expect “super dramatic improvement in sound” – maybe 55dB vs 50dB at best
[00:08:32] The elliptical stylus means “less wear to your records” due to improved groove contact
[00:08:40] The elliptical stylus itself may wear out sooner than conical, but that’s acceptable at this price point
[00:09:42] Full disclosure: Host hasn’t tested the new stylus yet, will provide update when it arrives Friday
How the Video Wrapped Up
[00:10:45] Host showed the Sound Burger (available in black, he has white and yellow), mentioned linking to his original Sound Burger review, promoted another video, and signed off with holiday wishes and channel tagline “United States of Analog.”
Memorable Closing Quotes or Strong Final Opinions
[00:10:11] “For me a lot of times, listening to music is about peace of mind”
[00:10:27] “If I’m worried about damage to my records… it kind of takes away the fun”
[00:10:04] “I think it’s cool anytime you can upgrade a component and make it a little more special”
Summary
In this final portion, the host discusses upgrading the Audio Technica Sound Burger with an elliptical stylus (ATN-3600-LE) for about $40. He emphasizes that while this won’t dramatically improve sound quality, the elliptical stylus provides better groove contact and reduces record wear compared to the original conical stylus. The host recommends keeping the original stylus as backup and suggests this upgrade makes the Sound Burger more suitable for playing newer pressings and good quality records, though he still wouldn’t use it on his most valuable albums.
The host admits he hasn’t actually tested the elliptical stylus yet – it’s arriving Friday and he’ll provide an update video. His main argument for the upgrade centers on “peace of mind” while listening, explaining that worrying about equipment damaging records takes away from the musical enjoyment. He positions the Sound Burger as a fun device for reliving youth rather than a primary listening system.
The video concludes with the host showing his Sound Burger units, noting availability mainly in black while displaying his white and yellow versions. He promotes his original Sound Burger review and another related video, ending with holiday wishes and his signature “United States of Analog” sign-off, maintaining the channel’s enthusiastic but practical approach to audiophile gear.
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
