Canada’s Kanto Audio Launches Its First-Ever Vinyl Turntable With A Budget Price

Canadian speaker brand Kanto Audio has announced the launch of the Obi3, a belt-drive turntable designed to be the ideal partner to Kanto Audio’s range of active speakers. With a built-in phono preamp, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and a minimalist design, Obi3 is the start of a new chapter for Kanto that reimagines traditional hi-fi for modern ears.

Despite the high price of records, the market for vinyl and turntables shows few signs of slowing down. The Obi3 sets the tone for Kanto’s next chapter in audio innovation.

Combining a mix of engineering precision and aesthetic design, the Obi3 is tuned to deliver a smooth and balanced sound while embracing the ease of modern listening. Whether connecting wirelessly to powered speakers such as Kanto Ren or through RCA outputs to an existing hi-fi system, Kanto says the Obi3 can fit seamlessly into any space.

The Kanto Obi 3 has an Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge pre-installed and is calibrated for clear and balanced audio straight out of the box.

“Obi3 represents a new design language for Kanto, one that celebrates the tactile joy of analog and the simplicity of our speaker range. Together they make a great system,” says Brett Smalley, marketing director at Kanto Audio. “Obi3 is the first in a series of turntables that we will release.”

Designed For Sound And Simplicity

At the heart of the Obi3 is its belt-drive system for precise and vibration-free playback. An Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge is pre-installed and calibrated for clear and balanced audio right out of the box. The weighted aluminum platter and wood plinth create a stable foundation for analog performance, while an aluminum J-shaped tonearm is designed for tracking accuracy. Pitch control is also included, an unusual feature at this price point.

Listeners can choose between 33⅓ and 45 RPM speeds, making it easy to switch from full-length albums to singles. The inclusion of Bluetooth 5.3 enables the Obi3 to connect instantly to wireless speakers or headphones anywhere in the same room. For purists, the integrated phono preamp and RCA output maintain the integrity of the analog signal, enabling Obi3 to pair with traditional hi-fi systems.

The Kanto Obi3 has phono outputs as well as Bluetooth connectivity for streaming to powered speakers.

A New Chapter

Kanto’s Obi3 is being touted as more than a product launch; it’s the first entry in a new Kanto turntable lineup, which the company intends to expand over time.

“We see the Obi3 as the foundation for what comes next,” adds Smalley. “We make speakers, subs and speaker stands and have been working on a turntable as a source for our systems. There’s a new generation rediscovering vinyl not as nostalgia, but as a ritual. Obi3 is built for them and it’s about accessibility, design and the sound we all love.”

Pricing and Availability:

The Kanto Obi3 goes on sale in November 2025 and will be priced at $199 / £179.

From - Forbes
By -Mark Sparrow