If you?re anything like us, you grew up listening to your parents? vinyl collection and now want to listen to your own records in the same way as a grown-up. When you look online or at record shops, though, you might be overwhelmed by the sheer number of different record players available and how to decide which one is best for you. To help take some of the pressure off, we?ve put together this guide on how to choose the best turntable for you based on what it will be used for and what your budget looks like.
The parts of a turntable
The turntable?s platter is what rotates as you play your record. It?s placed on a stabilizing disc, typically made of rubber or silicon, that helps isolate it from vibrations and other interference. The spindle, a plastic tube rising up out of its center, holds your needle and connects it to your tonearm. A weighted magnetic assembly keeps everything moving in unison. If you don?t have your hands on a record yet, hold them about four inches above both sides of where they?d rest: They should move in tandem with each other; if not, something is amiss.
The best brands in this niche
Audio Technica, BOSS Audio Systems, Dual, Thorens and much more. As with any product, it?s important that you do your research on these brands first before making a final decision. Some companies put out lower quality turntables than others in order to keep their prices low. So make sure you buy from a company that has experience and a track record of putting out high-quality products. If you have any friends or family members who are DJs or audiophiles, they will be able to recommend brands that they trust and know do good work for more visit our brand Top 10 Echo
Which is better – belt drive or direct drive?
The main difference between direct drive and belt drive turntables is that direct drives have motors built into their spindle while belt drives use a separate motor. The pros of direct drives are that they’re usually less expensive and produce less vibration, but they can be slower, are less durable (if there’s a break in your record player’s spindle your music stops), and can be more difficult to repair if something goes wrong. Belt drives often have higher torque, so you’ll get better speed control when changing records; however, it’s very common for them to slip when starting or stopping which makes them more prone to scratching your records.
Why you should consider buying an automatic turntable
If you?re thinking about buying a turntable but have never purchased one before, you might be wondering if you need an automatic turntable or if a manual option is better. Automatic ones (like our top pick) are great for first-time buyers because they require very little knowledge and allow them to get up and playing with very little effort. Automatic models also tend to be less expensive. That said, manual models do give you more control over your records as well as other perks like dual speeds and built-in speakers. If you’re looking into high-end vinyl or just want a way of listening that’s more immersive than a Bluetooth speaker, it may be worth considering them despite their learning curve. We explore all of these options in our guide below!
Are vintage turntables worth it?
There are a lot of cheap turntables out there, but they’re not always worth it. There’s a reason why many vintage turntables are still in circulation today?they were built better and with more durable parts. Although not everyone can justify spending $200 or more on a used record player, there are plenty of excellent models that sell for far less. If you’re willing to shop around online, you can find great deals on vintage-style models in your preferred price range. Ultimately, however, it comes down to what type of music you like and whether listening to records is a hobby or an obsession that you want to spend money on week after week.
Tips to set up your record player properly
Before your first record, here are a few setup tips: First off, make sure you know how many watts your stereo has. If it?s under 30 watts per channel, it will struggle with anything but very light records. Even 50 watts might be too low. There?s a complicated formula out there that will give you a general idea of what kind of amp you need?just search around online and do some Googling (and maybe bookmark our post). But remember: wattage is just one factor in how loud your turntable can play; there are other variables like ohms and frequency response (the latter being measured in kHz). If in doubt, ask someone at a local hi-fi shop if they can help you set up or recommend an amp.
