Philips The Tina

Price

The Philips Tina TAV9000D sells for £399 in the UK. Across Europe, it’s priced around €449. This makes The Tina considerably cheaper than some rival music systems which borrow similar vintage design cues (yes, I’m looking at you Ruark), and a step up from high-street all-in-ones from Crosley.

There’s no indication yet that The Tina will make it to the States or Australia though.

Design

• Straight aluminium tone arm
• Removable dust cover
• Walnut veneer

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think the TAV9000D looks funkier than a mosquito’s tweeter.

Measuring 448 x 245 x 399 mm and weighing a substantial 11 kg, it’s not what anyone would call svelte – it has the physical presence of furniture rather than Hi-Fi – but the walnut-effect wood finish is convincing and beautifully finished.

The look effortlessly recalls classic Philips radio designs from the 1930s – 1950s, the fabric grille with stylised ribs completing the period feel.

Two rotary controls sit on the fascia, flanking a clear display that can show source information, or act as a clock. The iconic ‘waves and stars’ Philips badge, commonly used between the forties and seventies, anchors the design.

Records are its raison d’etre. The deck plays vinyl at 33 1/3 or 45 rpm; a counterweighted aluminium tonearm and anti-skate mechanism ensure that the AT stylus tracks grooves just right.

On the fascia, there’s a 6.3 mm headphone jack, while to the rear is a 3.5mm audio input, USB port, stereo analogue output and telescopic DAB radio aerial. The only thing missing is an integrated CD player, which would have been irresistible icing on the cake.

A removable dust cover allows you to choose between a cleaner, modern look or full turntable attire. The entire ensemble would sit happily in a period study, but it also works as a deliberate contrast piece in a contemporary living space.

Features

• 120W power output
• DAB+/FM radio
• Bluetooth with Auracast
• No Wi-Fi streaming

As befits a music centre, there is plenty to talk about. Power output is quoted at 120W RMS for streaming and radio sources, but this drops to 60W RMS when you’re listening to vinyl.

The turntable is solid. A belt-drive mechanism reduces motor noise and vibration, while the die-cast platter provides stable rotation. Philips doesn’t specify what Audio Technica MM (Moving Magnet) phono cartridge is used here, but it looks to be the AT3600L, a familiar baseline in budget systems.

Connectivity is broad, with a couple of omissions. The inclusion of DAB+/FM radio will be welcomed by those who value broadcast sources. There’s also Bluetooth 5.4 with Auracast support, the latter allowing the system to integrate into a wider wireless ecosystem, opening the door to multi-room audio.

However, there’s no Apple AirPlay support, and no Wi-Fi streaming.

Physical connections include a 3.5 mm auxiliary input, plus a USB-A port for legacy sources or local digital files. Format support covers MP3, WAV, WMA, and FLAC. There’s no digital optical audio input.

A phono stereo analogue output extends flexibility, enabling the Tina to act as a source component for larger systems if required, although I can’t imagine that’ll get much use.

Usability

• No physical remote control
• Multifunctional rotary controls
• Partnering app

Setup largely involves lacing the belt drive, balancing the tonearm and clipping on the dust cover. The front-panel controls are cleverly intuitive, centred around rotary knobs for volume, mode and input selection.

Vinyl playback, radio tuning and Bluetooth streaming are all easily accessed, although I found the lack of a supplied remote control a mild irritation. 

Sure, the Philips Home Entertainment app doubles as a system remote, with input switching, sound mode selection, and so on, but it’s definitely not as convenient as a dedicated zapper.

Sound Quality

• Warm, consistent performance
• Vinyl power output 60W RMS

The TAV9000D may not be predicated on audiophile ambition, but it does deliver focused, room-filling sound that suits the music-centre concept. Its internal speakers – two 2.5-inch mid-range drivers, supported by a pair of 1-inch tweeters and a single 4.5-inch woofer – may not create a wide stereo image, but their output is warm and cohesive.

The main attraction here is vinyl playback, and on well-pressed modern records, highs are clear without any nasty edge, and midrange detail feels present and expressive. My Björk Greatest Hits double album (a gorgeous pressing) is clean and warm, with a tonal richness that reflects the system’s woody veneer. 

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The slight pops and crackles of older records feel entirely appropriate, too. A Pepsi promotional album of classic rock ‘n’ roll tracks (featuring Eddie Cochran, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Shangri-Las and others), released by CBS back in 1980, also sounds remarkably fine.

Tina won’t turn her nose up at your charity shop finds.

DAB radio stations scan quickly and sound suitably robust, and Bluetooth streaming – likely to be the everyday option for many users – is impressive. Pink Floyd’s Shine On You Crazy Diamond, from the 50th anniversary edition of Wish You Were Here (Amazon Music) reveals appreciable clarity and musical nuance, with controlled bass and expressive mids.

Sound modes available via the app, such as Balanced and Warm, offer subtle shifts in emphasis. The Powerful mode pushes energy forward and can be fun for more upbeat genres. Overall, Balanced would be my recommendation.

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The key point is that the TAV9000D sounds consistent, regardless of sources, and the power disparity between records and other sources doesn’t distract anywhere near as much as I was expecting.

Should you buy it?

If you want a beautifully made, retro-styled music system that handles vinyl, radio and streaming with equal aplomb, this Philips one-off is a great buy. Just don’t underestimate how big it is.

You’re after proper hi-fi

Chasing audiophile-grade separation and the flexibility of a traditional separates setup? You’re in the wrong Hi-Fi aisle. This system is for design folks and retro freaks only. Apple fans also lose out, given AirPlay support is AWOL.

Final Thoughts

The Tina may trade heavily on nostalgia, but it still ticks the right boxes when it comes to modern listening. Combining turntable, Bluetooth and DAB radio in a single, furniture-grade unit, has obvious appeal.

Of course, there are compromises. You don’t get pronounced stereo separation, and its mid-fi output won’t tickle audiophiles, but as lifestyle audio furniture, it’s more than up to snuff.

The TAV9000D sounds good, looks distinctive, and pays due respect to vinyl platters, without shutting the door on streaming.

How We Test

We test every music system we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use industry-standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find.

We never, ever, accept money to review a product.

Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.

• Tested for several days
• Tested with real world use

FAQs

Is The Tina suitable for large rooms?

The system has the grunt to fill medium to large rooms without straining, so typical living spaces will be fine. If you want to fill very large areas, you might want to take advantage of the Auracast feature and buy some additional, compatible Auracast wireless speakers.  

Am I stuck with the Audio Technica phono cartridge supplied?

No, it is replaceable and upgradable, although this cartridge is a good system match for the TAV9000D.

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Full Specs

	Philips The Tina Review
UK RRP	£399
EU RRP	€449
Manufacturer	Philips
Size (Dimensions)	448 x 399 x 245 MM
Weight	11 KG
Release Date	2026
Turntable Type	Direct Drive
Resolution	x
Ports	Stereo analogue line input, USB-A
Cartridge	Audio-Technica
Audio (Power output)	120 W
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.4, Auracast
Frequency Range	– Hz
Audio Formats	MP3, WAV, WMA, and FLAC
Tuner	DAB/DAB+, FM