Qlearsoul HiFire X: System With VU Meters Scratches 70s Nostalgia Itch

InnovationConsumer TechQlearsoul HiFire X: System With VU Meters Scratches 70s Nostalgia ItchByBrad Moon,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Brad Moon covers audio gear, Apple products and consumer tech.Follow AuthorApr 26, 2026, 04:08pm EDTApr 26, 2026, 04:16pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Qlearsoul HiFire X giving off that 70s vibeBrad MoonFor many people who collect records, a big part of the appeal is tactile. There’s something about the ritual of taking a record out of its sleeve, the weight of the vinyl, putting it on the turntable, cuing up the tonearm, wiping the surface with a static brush and dropping the needle. Often that appeal extends to the visuals. Not just appreciating the album artwork and reading the liner notes, but also appreciating the throwback experience, including audio equipment that looks the part. If you lust after the 70s vintage look of classic receivers like the Pioneer SX-1250 with its VU meters, aluminum face and control knobs contrasting with a wooden cabinet, then you might want to have a look at the Qlearsoul HiFire X.This is a turntable audio system designed to invoke the spirit of the 1970s era record listening experience. It features a wood-look cabinet, Bookshelf speakers, an integrated turntable, and an aluminum faceplate with prominent control knobs and a pair of honest to goodness VU meters (backlit in a vintage amber). The HiFire X main cabinet with built-in turntableBrad MoonSetupI’ve had the opportunity to try out a few Qlearsoul systems and this audio brand has the whole turntable setup process pretty well smoothed out for owners. The cartridge is pre-mounted, and the platter has an opening punched out to make it easy to reach the belt and slip it over the pulley. They include a cartridge alignment tool, but you won’t be needing that unless you elect to upgrade the cartridge a...