If you’re new to record players or you want to breakout your old vinyl collection stashed in the attic this is a good choice if you want something self-contained and easy to use.
See the Crosley CR6232A-BR Nomad USB Portable Record Player on Crosley’s website.It’s also great if you want to bring your vinyl tracks into the digital age.
The record player is aesthetically pleasing and easy on the eye with its smooth rounded lines and wood-style cabinet.
The Crosley Nomad CR6232A-BR USB Portable Record Player is one of the highest quality all-in-one solutions on the market today.
This is one entry level record player that won’t damage your vinyl because it comes with a moving magnet cartridge and stylus made by Audio Technica. One of the highest quality and most popular names in record players and turntables.
It’s also portable, making it easy to move from one room to another, it’s also handy to take on a crate digging expedition since you can listen to a record before buying it.
Considering its quality, pleasing look, and sturdy build, it’s a good record player for the price.
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Features of the Crosley Nomad CR6232A-BR USB Portable Record Player
Knowing the features of a record player and how to get the most out of it will make it easier for you to make a decision. So let’s look at the most important features this record player has to offer and what you can expect from its performance.
Speed
Like most all-in-one record players the Crosley Nomad will play at 33, 45 and 78 RPM, so you can start enjoying those old 78’s you haven’t heard since way back when…
If you’re going to play 45 RPM records you’ll need to use the 45 adapter that comes with the turntable.
Size
Generally with self-contained record players, the bigger the better because it means more power.
The Crosley Nomad is not the biggest record player available but its size is more than decent and it has plenty of power to do the job. The Nomad is by no means flimsy.
The dimensions are; 13 x 17 x 4 inches and it weighs approximately 10.5 pounds making it a sturdy unit with reduced vibration.
<< See the Crosley CR6232A-BR Nomad USB Portable Record Player on Crosley’s site >>
Drive
The Crosley Nomad is a belt-driven unit like most all-in-one record players. Being belt-driven there is generally less vibration since the belt acts as a shock absorber protecting the platter from resonance coming from the motor.
It is a manually operated unit so you’ll cue the tonearm manually at the start and end of the record. Some people see this as a drawback, but it makes for better cueing of specific tracks and the tonearm won’t lift a few seconds before the end of the last track.
It doesn’t have a start-stop function, so after cueing the tonearm you’ll push the on-off button to fire up the motor which turns the platter.
Cartridge and Stylus
The Crosley Nomad CR6232A-BR USB Portable Record Player comes with a moving magnet cartridge.
Unlike most all-in-one record players that make use of the cheaper ceramic kind.
And another huge plus point for the Nomad is it comes fitted with an Audio Technica NP5 diamond stylus. (See the Audio Technica NP5 Replacement Needle on Amazon.)
This is one of the better styli so you won’t need to worry about damaging your vinyls.
Speakers
This record player comes with two 3″ 8ohm 5W built-in stereo speakers. With all-in-one record players the size and position of the speakers are an important feature to consider.
The bigger the speaker the more sound. Speakers to the rear are less than ideal since the sound is indirect, especially noticeable with high and midrange frequencies. The Nomad comes with speakers positioned on the sides which is a much better option.
There is also a 3.5mm headphone jack and RCA outputs so you have the option of connecting it to external speakers that will provide even better sound.
The record player also comes factory fitted with a built-in preamp so it’s literally plug and play. You don’t need to add external speakers but it is a good upgrade.
Frills and Extras
Considering what extras a record player has is important if you’re looking for the best quality at an affordable price.
That being said, in the case of a self contained unit you really don’t want to go with something that has extras like an AM/FM radio or a CD player.
Why? Well, because it’s self-contained, the more moving parts there are the more likely it is that your record player will experience more vibrations.
This record player is just that – a record player – with no unnecessary extras. Less is more in this case and Crosley made a good choice in keeping it as simple as possible.
USB and Connectivity
The Crosley Nomad comes with a USB interface, making it perfect for ripping those vinyl tracks into digital format. It’s as easy as hooking the unit up to your computer and watch it convert those tracks.
The USB interface is also a great option to use if you’re considering external speakers. You can easily hook it up to your computer speakers for better sound or you can use the RCA jacks for the same purpose.
<< See the Crosley CR6232A-BR Nomad USB Portable Record Player on Amazon>>
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I play 12″ records with this record player?
Yes, you can play 12″ records as well as 7″ and 10″ records.
Why is the lid detached from the rest of the cabinet?
On unboxing of your record player, you’ll need to attach the lid. The lid is made to detach for when you play records. You can’t play records with the lid closed.
Attaching and detaching can be done by clipping and unclipping the buckles at the back – it’s quick and easy.
Is the volume of the speakers adjustable?
Yes, you can adjust the volume of the speakers.
Is the digital conversion possible with a Mac?
Yes, you can easily convert your vinyls using Mac or Windows. The Audacity software is open source and the version on the CD included could be outdated. But you can download the latest version from their website.
Should You Buy The Crosley Nomad CR6232A-BR USB Portable Record Player?
The Crosley Nomad CR6232A-BR USB Portable Record Player is a reliable, durable and very affordable choice if you’re looking for an all-in-one vinyl playing solution.
It can handle playing all speeds and it’s great for converting your music for listening on the go. And because it’s fitted with a quality stylus you don’t run the risk of damaging your vinyl. This feature alone makes it a worthwhile choice.
The look and feel of the record player is smooth and stylish, unlike other record players in the same class – it really is beautiful to look at and has what it takes to do the job it’s made for.
If you’re a casual listener with style and affordability in mind this record player should be a top contender for you.
<< See the Crosley CR6232A-BR Nomad USB Portable Record Player on Crosley’s site >>
Looking for the best turntable cartridge for the money? Check out my reviews.
If you want a turntable with more upgrade options, check out my review of the Audio Technica AT LP 120.
Is this unit loud? Can you hear it really good in a big room?
Hi Jeff,
The unit is reasonably loud. Depending on how big the room is you might get sufficient sound. If the room is wood or tiles floors the sound will be better.
Crosley’s Nomad Turntable
As a record collector who’s first turntable was Crosley’s Nomad Turntable, I have a very good idea as to how good it really is. I can say that this is a great turntable for anyone beginning to get into records because the turntable is very well priced for its abilities, has a good sound system for the price point, and is easy to use and learn for anyone with an interest in music. It is important to find the right turntable, especially if you’re just beginning to get into records, and this is a very good turntable for that purpose.
The Nomad costs just under two hundred dollars which, at first, seems like a very high amount. This is somewhat true as most Crosley tables start off at somewhere around seventy or eighty dollars. However, the Nomad is much larger than many of the other turntables and has a USB port, built-in speakers, RCA output, and headphone jack, amongst other things. This allows the Nomad to be quite versatile and used like a higher-end turntable while being at a very sensible price, which helps to make this very good for beginners.
The Nomad also comes with built-in full-range speaker systems. This allows you to not have to buy a speaker system to go with the turntable. Speakers can cost upwards of five hundred dollars, and not having to buy them can be a pocketbook saver for many. And while one might think that the sound system being built-in might mean that corners might have had to be cut, that is simply not true. The sound system is comparable to many speaker systems, and, just like with before, gives the beginner record collector a better system for a good price.
The Nomad is very user friendly. It has only a few buttons which are all clearly labeled. The instructions were very easy to read and understand even for me when I first got into record collecting. After a few minutes of practice and reading the instructions, I was able to operate the Nomad without any hiccups or problems. For anyone who is just starting out in record collecting, trying to learn how to use a turntable can be daunting, and this turntable clears all of that up.
Overall, the Nomad is an excellent buy for anyone starting out in record collecting because it is very well priced considering what it can do, has great sound for the price, and is very user friendly. Keeping all of this in mind, I can wholeheartedly recommend this turntable to anyone just starting out in record collecting.