House of Marley
House of Marley Stir It Up Review
An eco-conscious turntable with bamboo accents for beginners who value sustainability.
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Quick Specs
Hover over ⓘ to learn what each means
- Drive Type ⓘ Belt drive = quieter listening, great for home use. Direct drive = instant start/stop, good if you want to DJ or scratch records.
- belt
- Speeds ⓘ This tells you which records you can play. 33 RPM plays full albums, 45 RPM plays singles. If it includes 78, you can also play old vintage records from your grandparents' collection.
- 33, 45 RPM
- Built-in Preamp ⓘ Yes = plug directly into any speakers and you're ready to go. No = you'll need to buy a separate phono preamp or use a receiver with a 'phono' input.
- Yes
- USB Output ⓘ Yes = you can plug into your computer and save your vinyl as digital files to listen on your phone. No = vinyl only, no digital copies.
- No
- Cartridge ⓘ This is the part that actually touches your records. A good cartridge means better sound quality. You can always upgrade this later without buying a new turntable.
- Included
Our Take
House of Marley built the Stir It Up around a sustainability story — bamboo plinth, recycled materials, and a brand identity rooted in the Marley ethos. For the right buyer, that identity is a meaningful part of the purchase. If the design and values resonate with you, this is a solid mid-range deck that works well and looks unlike anything else on the market.
Where it falls short relative to similarly priced competitors is upgradeability. The deck does what it does without much room to grow. The cartridge is generic, the preamp is serviceable but not standout, and there's no USB for digitizing. It's a lifestyle turntable as much as a performance turntable.
Ideal for: someone who cares about brand values and wants a good-looking eco-friendly deck for casual listening. Not for: those who want to tune, tweak, or upgrade over time.
Sound Quality
The Stir It Up sounds warm and reasonably balanced for its tier — the bamboo plinth does contribute some resonance dampening, which gives playback a slightly more natural character than cheaper plastic-bodied alternatives. Highs are smooth rather than crisp; bass is present but not tight. It handles folk, reggae, and acoustic music particularly well. More demanding genres like jazz or classical may reveal the limits of the included cartridge. It's not a deck you'd choose for analytical listening, but it's pleasant for everyday use.
Setup and Ease of Use
The built-in preamp makes setup as simple as plugging into powered speakers. Tonearm balancing is manual and should be done before first play — the manual walks you through it. Anti-skate control is present. No USB means no digital recording. The main thing to be aware of: the bamboo plinth, while attractive, means this turntable is more sensitive to placement than a heavier MDF or solid wood deck. Keep it on a stable surface away from speaker vibration.
What We Like
- ✓ Eco-friendly bamboo design
- ✓ Built-in preamp for easy setup
- ✓ Unique aesthetic appeal
What Could Be Better
- ✗ Limited upgradeability
- ✗ More style than pure performance
Best For
Beginners who want style and sustainability
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