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The Goldring GR3 turntable offers plug-and-play convenience, great value and excellent sound but there's one areas you'll want to turn off

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Goldring GR3 turntable: two-minute review

Just two decades or so since it last had a turntable in its product line-up, Goldring is back. The GR3 has been developed in collaboration with acknowledged experts and it really looks the part in a ‘black high-gloss lacquer’ sort of way.

It’s got plenty going for it where specification is concerned, too. This is a belt-drive turntable with manual speed-change, and it arrives with a very capable Goldring E3 pre-fitted and pre-adjusted moving magnet cartridge at the end of the aluminium tube tonearm. It’s supplied with a couple of pairs of QED cables to make plugging it into a system as painless as can be. And it’s fitted with an internal phono stage to ensure it is compatible with as wide a range of systems as possible – if the phono stage had an ‘off’ switch it could be fair to say the GR3 has everything you could possibly expect or require.

Connected to an appropriate system, the Goldring GR3 is an articulate, informative and confident listen with just enough drive and attack to stop it sounding leisurely. Dynamic headroom, soundstaging and timing all impress, and the amount of detail the GR3 can extract from the groove is also noteworthy.

In a slightly less appropriate system, though, the latent high-frequency stridency the Goldring hints at becomes a little more evident – a minor lack of treble substance can become apparent. When weighed against all the things that are enjoyable about the GR3 sound, though, ‘minor’ is the word to bear in mind and it bears serious consideration to sit among the best turntables available.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Goldring GR3 turntable review: price and release date

• $1,299 / £699 / AU$1,599 (approx.)
• Launched in October 2025

The Goldring GR3 launched towards the end of October 2025, and in the United States it's priced at $1,299. In the United Kingdom it goes for £699, while in Australia it will set you back around AU$1,599.

Goldring GR3 turntable review: features

• Low-vibration belt drive motor
• Integrated phono stage
• Pre-fitted Goldring E3 moving magnet cartridge

The plain fact is that the Goldring GR3 has a few more features than is the norm where a record player costing this sort of money is concerned. So where has that half-a-star gone from the ‘features’ score below? I’ll get to that, but for now let’s establish what’s what.

The motor that moves the belt that spins the platter is a low-noise, low-vibration design. The tonearm is a 237mm one-piece aluminum tube with a three-point arm mounting system - and it’s pre-fitted with an extremely well-regarded Goldring E3 moving magnet cartridge, a design that’s well on the way to becoming a classic.

The GR3 is also supplied with two pairs of relatively high-quality interconnects, manufactured by Goldring’s sister company QED. One is a 1.5mm stereo RCA design, the other a 3.5mm / stereo RCA alternative, so connecting the GR3 to a full-size system or a pair of powered speakers should be no problem.

The Goldring’s stereo RCA outputs are fed by an integrated phono stage, and it’s here that the GR3’s final half-a-star goes astray. I’m absolutely in favor of record players with integrated phono stages, don’t get me wrong; it makes for ultimate flexibility, and it means the deck can slot into pretty much any system you care to mention. But the phono stage here is always on and cannot be switched off, so if you own a system with a phono stage of its own (and surely any number of people ready to spend $1,299 on a record player must do), you must avoid your own phono stage for the one fitted here. You don’t even get to compare and contrast.

Just a simple ‘on/off’ switch is all that’s required, Goldring. Is it too much to ask?

• Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Goldring GR3 turntable review: Sound quality

• Tremendous rhythmic positivity
• Extracts plenty of fine detail
• Lacks a little top-end substance

There are some aspects of audio reproduction at which well-sorted turntables seem to excel. And the Goldring GR3 is almost a caricature of a record player in this respect; the areas where it’s at its most convincing and most enjoyable are all textbook turntable strengths.

Take rhythmic expression, for instance. The GR3 manages the low frequencies during a listen to Patti Smith’s Horses with absolute confidence, closely observing the attack and decay of individual bass sounds so that rhythms and tempos are described in the most naturalistic, fluent and convincing manner. There’s plenty of variation in the low end here, ample detail regarding tone and texture is available, but it’s the effortlessness with which the Goldring describes even quite tricky, off-kilter rhythms that lets you know you’re in safe hands.

The unity and togetherness with which the GR3 presents the whole recording is another one from the Big Book of Turntable Cliches. Detail levels are high throughout the frequency range, and (with the slight exception of the very top end) tonality is very consistent too – and there’s a real sense of singularity and performance about the way the Goldring handles the entirety of the music. As with rhythmic expression, there’s a complete lack of stress or apparent effort in the way this turntable handles the timing of a recording.

There’s decent dynamic headroom available for when the going gets especially hectic or intense. The GR3 is able to create a large and quite persuasive soundstage and there’s more than enough room available for each strand of a recording to make itself heard. The Goldring communicates eloquently through the midrange, and has just enough positivity to its overall presentation to prevent the words ‘laid back’ seeming like something that might come in useful at some point.

It’s only at the top of the frequency range that the GR3 seems anything less than nicely balanced and assured. Unlike the rest of the frequency range, which is described with quite carefully neutral tonality and a fair amount of substance, the very high end sounds a little thin and malnourished. It stops well short of hardness or edginess, don’t get me wrong, but its relative lack of body puts it at odds with pretty much everything that’s going on beneath it.

In a sympathetically matched system it will hardly be an issue but with carelessly chosen or similarly inclined partners the GR3 could conceivably bare its teeth a little more readily than is ideal.

• Sound quality score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Goldring GR3 turntable review: Design

• Belt drive with manual speed change
• Phenolic resin platter
• High-gloss black plinth

Goldring, up to a point, is being quite open about the fact the GR3 was developed in collaboration with a third party. This is the Goldring’s first turntable in over two decades, after all, so the idea of getting some outside help is probably sensible. “A renowned British hi-fi manufacturer” is how Goldring rather coyly describes its associate.

If you’re in any way au fait with the work of any renowned British turntable brands, the design of the GR3 is going to look pretty familiar – heck, if you’re in a similar line of work to me you’re probably likely to recognize the arrangement of the packaging the GR3 arrives in. But if you’re going to collaborate, then why not collaborate with the best around?

Anyhow, the GR3 is a belt-drive design, and is fitted with a phenolic resin platter. The platter is designed to increase inertia and maximize the flywheel effect (thus maintaining consistent rotational speed) by having the bulk of its considerable mass at the outside.

The plinth is built of anti-resonant composite fiber, and is finished in the sort of high-gloss black that collects fingerprints like a particularly zealous scene-of-crime investigator. It stands on three pliant, resonance-suppressing feet, and can be fitted with a supplied clear Perpsex dust cover. With the lid closed, the GR3 is 120 x 450 x 360mm (HxWxD), and weighs around 5.5kg.

• Design score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Goldring GR3 turntable review: usability and set-up

• Cartridge is pre-adjusted for all but downforce
• Can easily be connected to many types of system
• Manual speed change

The Goldring E3 moving magnet cartridge is fitted to the tonearm before the GR3 leaves the factory, and it’s pre-adjusted for all but downforce. Dial in the recommended 2g and you’re ready to play.

Connecting to a system is very simple, too. Use one of the supplied cables to take line-level left-and-right channel information away from the turntable and into an ‘aux’ or other line-level input on your set-up – anything from a powered speaker to a full-on hi-fi system is fair game.

After that, make sure the belt is around the correct part of the pulley in order to get the rpm you need. The power switch is on the underside of the plinth, almost directly beneath the legend ‘Goldring - established 1906’ on the surface. Take the guard off the cartridge and lower the needle onto the vinyl… then sit back and enjoy.

• Usability and setup score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Goldring GR3 review: Value

• Great build and finish
• Articulate sound
• Very acceptable cartridge

A good standard of build and finish, a very acceptable cartridge thrown in, and specification that makes system-matching the work of a moment all go towards suggesting there’s value for money available here. Add in the confident, articulate way the Goldring GR3 sounds and its case is approaching ‘watertight’.

• Value score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Should I buy the Goldring GR3?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Low-vibration belt drive motor; integrated phono stage but would benefit from an 'off' option.

4.5/5

Sound quality

Excellent level of detail with decent dynamic headroom, but lacks a little top-end substance.

4.5/5

Design

Belt-drive design with a phenolic resin platter, developed in collaboration with a third party.

5/5

Usability and setup

Goldring E3 moving magnet cartridge fitted to the tonearm, though you must set the downforce; otherwise easy to connect to a system.

5/5

Value

Good build and finish, great cartridge, a fine proposition.

5/5

Buy it if...

You want as convenient an experience as possible
Yes, you have to set the downforce, but other than that, the GR3 is as painless as they come.

You value effortlessly rhythmic sound
The way the Goldring just flows is highly enjoyable.

You don’t mind a bit of dusting
The plinth shows up every speck of dust that lands on it.

Don't buy it if...

You have a decent phono stage in your system already
It’s the GR3’s phono stage or nothing, I’m afraid.

Your system is in any way flimsy at the top of the frequency range
The Goldring is happy to hit the top end perhaps a little harder than is ideal.

You have greasy hands
That high-gloss plinth picks up fingerprints very easily indeed.

Goldring GR3 review: also consider

Rega Planar PL1
Obviously you should consider Rega as a strong alternative to the Goldring – the Planar PL1 is less expensive, it’s true, it isn’t fitted with pre-amplification or as capable a cartridge as the Goldring, but it’s cracking value for money nevertheless.
Read the full Rega Planar PL1 review

Pro-Ject T2 Super Phono
It’s also worth checking out Pro-Ject, specifically the T2 Super Phono. It’s a good-looking, great-sounding record player with an integrated phono stage (that can be switched off if you want) and a decent (but not quite Goldring E3-standard) Sumiko moving magnet cartridge. And it’s available at GR3 money or even a little less.

How I tested the Goldring GR3

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

• Tested over the course of two weeks
• Connected to a Naim Uniti Star network streamer/amplifier and Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 Signature speakers
• Listening to various types of music

I connected the Goldring GR3 to the line-level analog input of my Naim Uniti Star network streamer/amplifier using the supplied QED RCA/RCA cables.

The Naim was connected to a pair of Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 Signature speakers on FS-700 S3 stands using QED XT50 speaker cable.

And then I listened to a lot of records for quite a long time, which was not the hardship it sounds like, I have to admit. I used a Rega Planar 2 with Carbon MM cartridge and a Technics SL-1300G with Goldring 1042 cartridge as reference devices.

• First reviewed: January 2026
• Read more about how we test

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The Vari CoreChair is an intentionally hyper-mobile task chair focusing on engaging your core while sitting to keep you focused and productive throughout your workday.

The Vari CoreChair has genuinely surprised me. I thought that this would be a flash-in-the-pan kind of chair for me, a gimmick that I loved for exactly a week and then forgot about entirely, and I almost did, but I see the potential.

In fact, if it weren’t for my bad knees combined with my tall frame, I think this would be the perfect chair for me during the workday. But a few things are keeping this chair in “good” status, not “great.” But each of them can be fixed with simple tweaks.

The CoreChair’s entire USP is its unstable connection between the seat and the post. It’s just loose enough to cause you to have to engage your core while sitting, which may be hit or miss for users, but for those who move while sitting already, perhaps bounce a leg or fidget, or feel the need to stand and pace around, this may be precisely what you need.

This won't be the best office chair for most people - it's certainly a niche product. But for me, as a pretty active individual, this chair, in concept, is precisely what I want. I can’t get the height to work for me, but again, that could be solved pretty easily.

Vari CoreChair: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The CoreChair sells for $499 on the official Vari website. With that, you get free standard shipping in the contiguous US and a 3-year warranty, including complete product replacement under Vari’s policy.

It’s worth noting that this chair is currently only available in black, but I doubt the lack of color options would deter buyers.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)Vari CoreChair: Unboxing and First Impressions

This was probably the easiest chair I have ever built, outside of the few I have received that are pre-built. It took about 3 minutes, two screws, and no worry at all.

Off the bat, I thought this was an odd chair; it had a very aggressive tailbone cushion, a super-low backrest as you'd expect from a task chair that's designed for focused work, not staying supported for long hours.

Saying that, after sitting on this for the first time, I was thoroughly impressed by how comfortable the cushion was and how premium everything felt, given its simplicity.

However, I was right in my first thought: this chair should be at stool height, not chair height, but more on that later.

Vari CoreChair: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

After months of using this chair off and on, I still stand by the fact that this is one of the more comfortable cushions in a seat. It’s firm yet supportive, and breathable on even the hottest days. I also love that the spokes on the legs are wider, making it easier to rest my feet on.

The backrest section here is a tad confusing, and to be honest, I'm not sure why it exists. It feels unnecessary, like it should either be larger or be removed entirely. And, I actually mean that as a positive. The chair is strong enough on its own that reworking it into a stool might be better than using it as a chair.

If this were a stool, I could stretch out my legs a bit more, use the footrests on the spokes a bit more, and aid my balance while using it, too. The chair is so close to being great; I just wish there were a bit of a change.

Vari CoreChair: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

I work out of a specific workspace three days a week, and this chair has been in that workspace for the entirety of my testing. I’ve used it for all-day sessions, upwards of 8 hours at a time. Throughout that time, I feel like I can now say that this chair doesn’t so much give me a core workout as it does a focused, engaged core.

For someone like me, who is very active and hyper-mobile, I feel like I am constantly tapping my feet or bouncing my leg. A chair like this that helps me stay engaged without feeling like I need to tap or fidget. I noticed that using this chair helped me lock into what I was working on, making hours feel like mere minutes.

After several weeks of using this chair, I do have a few notes I wish I could change. First off, I don’t think the lumbar portion is necessary, though I see why they added it. Secondly, it could be my height, but I wish that this chair were actually up to stool height. If it were a bit taller, I think I could use this for a few more days in a row, or even a few more hours at a time. Right now, after a few hours, I get a bit fidgety due to knee pain, but I love having the core activation.

I think, in its current form, the best use for this chair is somewhere between two- and four-hour working sessions where you need to write, focus, knock out a proposal, crush some emails, or something else you need hyper-fixation on. This chair could help you lock in and knock it out. For some, that is precisely what they need to do some of their best work.

However, if you have lower back pain or another ailment I'd recommending steering clear of this chair, as it won't provide the natural support most ergonomic chairs do and instead, force you to support yourself by adding a layer of instability. If you're suffering serious lower back pain, the Steelcase Leap remains the gold-standard in that department.

Vari CoreChair: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The Vari CoreChair is a strong option for the right person and something others should steer clear of. It’s not the chair for everyone, but a niche option that could be a secret weapon for productivity.

As discussed, there are a few areas I'd like to adjust to make this an even better chair, but for now, I can see myself keeping this chair in rotation for those times I need to lock in. It’s a great rotation between sitting, standing at a standing desk, and sitting in the CoreChair, though I know that not everyone has the opportunity for such a working environment.

To keep things simple, if you experience lower back or knee pain, this will definitely not be the right chair for you. If you prefer passive sitting (where the chair does the work for you) over active sitting (where you control how you sit and what support you get), again, the CoreChair isn't going to tick those boxes.

But if you’re the kind of person who fidgets, is constantly moving, or has a bit of a hyperactive mentality, this chair may unlock productivity levels you never knew were possible.

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