Kanto Audio launches 2nd Gen Obi3 turntable

A solidly built manual turntable with a weighted aluminum platter, sensor-controlled drive, engineered-wood plinth, adjustable counterweight and anti-skate — with ±10% pitch control and Bluetooth 5.3. Priced at $249.99 USD / CA$269.99 / £179.99 / €199.99 / $349.99 AUD. Launching alongside a full range of Kanto turntable accessories.

Vancouver, BC, August 11, 2026 – Canadian brand Kanto Audio today announces the 2nd Generation of Obi3, a belt-drive turntable that brings real build quality and hands-on control not commonly found in entry-level units. With a weighted aluminum platter and solid engineered-wood plinth, a sensor-controlled belt drive, adjustable counterweight and anti-skate, ±10% pitch control, a pre-installed Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge, a built-in phono preamp and Bluetooth® 5.3, Obi3G2 pairs high-end turntable control with the convenience modern listeners expect for under $299.

Much of the vinyl market at this price point features fully automatic decks with fixed, sealed tonearms — easy to use, but little to adjust. Obi3G2 takes a different approach: a proper manual turntable you can set up and tune yourself, without stepping up to a specialist unit.

 “We wanted Obi3G2 to feel like a high-end turntable at an entry-level price, one you can set up, adjust and grow into. Paired with our new range of accessories, it’s everything you need to start a record collection and look after it, designed as a cohesive collection.” — Brett Smalley, Director of Marketing, Kanto Audio.

Built to feel a class above

Where many budget turntables lean on plastic, Obi3G2 is built around a weighted aluminum platter and a solid, engineered-wood plinth. That mass and rigidity settle vibration and give the deck a planted, quality feel – construction that’s easy to overlook for entry-level turntables. Driving Obi3G2 is a sensor-controlled belt drive motor with electronic speed selection: switch between 33-1/3 and 45 RPM from the front without moving the belt by hand, and auto-stop halts the platter at the end of a side to help protect the stylus. The pre-installed Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge delivers smooth, balanced sound straight out of the box.

A turntable you can set up your way

An aluminum J-shaped tonearm carries an adjustable counterweight and anti-skate, so you can balance the arm and set tracking force yourself, guided by clear reference marks, for clean, even playback and less wear on your stylus and records. That’s hands-on control that the fixed, automatic decks dominating this price simply don’t offer. A manual cue lever lowers the stylus gently and precisely onto the groove, and with ±10% pitch control, there’s room to play. Nudge a record a little faster or slower and hear it in a new, fun way as you get to know your collection.

Connect any way you listen

Obi3G2 fits into any setup. An RCA output with a selectable built-in phono preamp means it works with everything from a full hi-fi separates system to a pair of powered speakers — flip the phono/line switch to match your gear. For wireless listening, Bluetooth 5.3 streams to speakers or headphones anywhere in the room. It’s a natural partner for any of Kanto Audio’s powered speakers.

Designed to be seen

True to Kanto’s design language, Obi3G2 keeps its form clean and its details considered, from flush-mounted hinges to a polished aluminum platter. It’s offered in five finishes — Black, White, Green, Ice Blue and Walnut — and its compact 43.2 x 36.3 cm (17″ x 14.3″) footprint sits comfortably on a desk, shelf or sideboard. Everything needed to get set up is in the box — dust cover, slip mat, 45 adapter, counterweight, and RCA and ground cables.

A complete vinyl ecosystem

Obi3G2 arrives alongside a full range of Kanto turntable accessories, giving new and seasoned listeners everything they need to set up, care for and store a collection — all from one brand:

• TT-AKIT — Turntable Setup & Alignment Kit: stylus force gauge, cartridge alignment protractor and bubble level for a precise, dialed-in setup.
• TT-SB — Record & Stylus Cleaning Brush: 2-in-1 carbon-fiber record brush with an integrated stylus brush.
• TT-GKIT — Record & Stylus Gel Cleaning Kit: silicone dust roller and residue-free stylus gel for easy maintenance.
• TT-AM — Anti-Static Acrylic Mat and TT-CRM — Cork & Rubber Mat: two upgrade mats for tighter, quieter playback.
• TT-CS20 — Outer Cover Sleeves and TT-IS20 — Inner Sleeves: protection for jackets and records alike.

Pricing & availability

Obi3G2 is priced at $249.99 USD / CA$269.99 / £179.99 / €199.99 / $349.99 AUD and goes on sale in North America on August 10, 2026, in Black, White, Green, Ice Blue and Walnut. The full range of Kanto turntable accessories is available now.

Obi3G2 — Specifications

About Kanto Audio

Kanto Audio is focused on bringing people and sound together.

Since 2007, from our Canadian home, Kanto has created speakers and audio products that invite the magic of hi-fi into everyday life — combining acoustic performance and thoughtful design to deliver listening that feels intuitive, immersive, and rewarding for years to come.

We believe great sound should feel human. Not exclusive or intimidating, but naturally connected to the spaces people live, work, and create in. Every Kanto product is shaped with intention, balancing performance, simplicity, and enduring design.

Explore more at kantoaudio.com.

Press contact: Brett Smalley — brett.smalley@kantoliving.com

Obi3G2 Image Downloads: https://kanto.pxm.pattern.com/share/7lCEelZjLM

Turntable Accessories Image Downloads: https://kanto.pxm.pattern.com/share/ox1Jv8p$yH