Cambridge Audio launches minimalist Spira turntable for first-time vinyl owners

Cambridge Audio has introduced the Spira, a turntable designed to be simple to set up and use, including for people new to vinyl. The company says it can also serve as the foundation for a larger hi-fi system.

The Spira is priced at $499 / £329 (about AU$640) and is available in five colors: black, white, green, orange and blue. It has a built-in phono preamp and Bluetooth connectivity; TechRadar notes that Cambridge Audio’s press release does not mention other connection options.

The turntable comes with a pre-fitted Audio-Technica cartridge on an aluminum tonearm, which the article says is easy to replace for an upgrade. Its platter is steel, and its wooden plinth houses the motor and is designed to reduce unwanted resonance. The controls are minimal, with an rpm speed dial as the main control.

The article describes the Spira as a relatively affordable option, while noting that some entry-level turntables, including the Sony PS-LX310BT, cost less. It is less feature-rich than more complex models such as Cambridge Audio’s Alva TT V2, but its straightforward design is aimed at listeners who want a turntable that can fit into different audio setups.