Auna Oakland DAB Retro Record Player Review

The Auna Oakland DAB Retro Record Player is a compact all-in-one music centre with a three-speed turntable, built-in stereo speakers, DAB+/FM radio, CD player, cassette deck, Bluetooth input and USB/SD functions. It is aimed less at hi-fi separates buyers and more at people who want one neat unit for several music formats.

Its strongest appeal is convenience. For a kitchen, bedroom, small living room or occasional listening space, it offers far more source options than a simple record player with speakers.

The supplied product corresponds to Auna’s Oakland DAB, product number 10033747, in a black wood finish. That distinction matters because the Oakland DAB is not a standalone audiophile turntable; it is a retro-styled stereo system with record playback as one of several functions.

The Oakland DAB uses a table-top retro cabinet design with the record player set into the top beneath a protective cover. The front panel houses the display and main controls, while the USB port, SD/MMC slot, AUX input and headphone output are placed for everyday access.

A side cassette slot, CD tray and rear RCA line output help explain the slightly deeper music-centre layout. The integrated left and right speakers keep the unit self-contained, although the official 2 x 2.5 W RMS rating makes clear that this is a compact convenience system rather than a powerful room-filling stereo.

The turntable is a belt-drive design with 33, 45 and 78 rpm speed settings, a tonearm lift lever, tonearm lock, 45 rpm adaptor and switchable auto-stop. Official information does not specify the cartridge type, stylus profile, tracking force, anti-skate adjustment or platter material, so buyers should not assume the refinement or adjustability of a dedicated hi-fi deck.

The main feature is breadth. The Oakland DAB can play records, CDs, CD-R, CD-RW and MP3 CDs, cassettes, DAB+/FM radio, Bluetooth audio from a phone or tablet, USB/SD media and an external source through the 3.5 mm AUX input.

Its USB/SD recording function is useful for simple transfers. The manual describes real-time MP3 encoding at 128 kbps from phono, cassette and CD sources, which is practical for casual copies but not a high-resolution archiving method.

Bluetooth should be understood correctly. The evidence supports Bluetooth input for playing a smartphone or tablet through the Auna system, but not Bluetooth output for sending vinyl playback to wireless speakers or headphones.

The rear RCA/cinch line output is important because it gives an upgrade path for listening through an amplifier, receiver or powered speakers. Passive speakers would still need an amplifier between them and the Oakland.

Initial setup should be straightforward for most users: place the unit on a stable level surface, connect it to 230 V mains, extend the rear wire antenna, remove the stylus guard and release the tonearm lock. For 45 rpm singles, the supplied adaptor is used when required.

Record playback involves selecting phono, setting the correct speed and lowering the tonearm with the cueing lever. USB or SD recording requires suitable media to be inserted first, and transfers happen in real time.

The main complication is likely to be learning the controls and radio/menu functions. Owner feedback in the stored evidence points to some frustration with the manual, presets and clock or radio setup, so buyers wanting very simple operation may need patience at first.

Day-to-day operation is built around source selection rather than specialist vinyl adjustment. For records, the user selects phono, chooses the correct speed, releases the tonearm lock, uses the lift lever and sets auto-stop on or off depending on the record.

The switchable auto-stop is a practical feature for casual use. If a record stops before the final track, the manual advises turning auto-stop off and stopping the platter manually at the end, which is a common compromise on entry-level automatic stop systems.

No official wow/flutter or speed-accuracy figures are available, so performance expectations should be modest. The belt-drive mechanism and unspecified tonearm assembly are best treated as convenience-grade rather than precision vinyl hardware.

Connectivity is strong for a small all-in-one unit. USB, SD/MMC, AUX, headphone output, RCA line output, DAB+/FM radio and Bluetooth input give it far more flexibility than a basic suitcase-style record player, though radio reception will still depend on local coverage and aerial positioning.

Based on the published design, the Oakland DAB should be approached as a compact music centre for casual listening. The built-in stereo speakers and 2 x 2.5 W RMS amplifier rating are likely to limit bass weight, volume and stereo separation compared with separate speakers.

The turntable side is similarly entry level. Because the cartridge type, stylus specification, tracking force and anti-skate arrangement are not stated, it would be unwise to present it as suitable for valuable record collections or demanding vinyl playback.

Using the RCA line output with a better amplifier or powered speakers should help the overall fullness and loudness of the system. However, that does not change the underlying turntable mechanism, so vinyl-focused buyers should still consider a dedicated turntable if sound quality and record care are priorities.

The 128 kbps MP3 recording option is convenient for quick transfers from records, tapes or CDs. It is not intended to replace a carefully set up digitising chain for users who want higher-quality archival files.