You know how it is: everything old eventually comes back into fashion. Sometimes it's exactly as we remember it, and other times it looks very similar to its past era, but with more modern touches. This is precisely what has happened with turntables, equipment that is once again in high demand among music lovers. Today we're going to explain everything you need to know before buying a turntable , and we'll also show you a selection of the most interesting ones.
How to choose the best turntable
The first thing you should know about this equipment that will allow us to listen to "old-fashioned" music is what parts they are made up of. Focusing on the main thing, they are composed of:
- Arm: It is that "extremity" that we see on the side of the record and that, when listening to music, must be resting on it. There are 2 different types: automatic (more comfortable and with better calibration) and manuals (We ourselves will have to play it against the record, but this offers greater precision and makes the record suffer less when changing songs).
- Needle: Calling it with this name will surely sound more familiar to you, but it really is within the pickup cartridge, which is in charge of "reading" the disks. There are 2 different kinds of this capsule: magnet (cheaper) moving coil (more accurate). If both models are well calibrated, only those experts in sound issues will notice slight differences.
- Base: the part we use to support the turntable on any surface. This usually includes rubber feet so that the equipment does not move when touched.
- Plateau: place where we will "drop" the disk. There are 3 different types of dishes: belt (they reach the nominal speed for reproduction slowly and deteriorate faster but, in return, they are cheaper), direct drive (more expensive but with the advantage that, as they lack mechanical parts, they deteriorate slowly) and pulley (they break down more easily due to their number of parts but, in return, they reach nominal speed quickly and their price is affordable). .
- Motor: responsible for driving the entire mechanism of the turntable. The most common, in current models, is that it is a direct current motor.
Now that you know what parts a record player consists of, it's time to talk about those essential details you should consider before buying one . In addition to the differences between the various types of components (with their pros and cons) that we've already discussed, you should think about:
- Weight: It may seem old-fashioned to weigh like this, but in this case, "if it weighs, it is good." This is because, due to the way it works, playing music on a turntable Vibrations affect it a lot.. Therefore, the heavier this equipment is, the better it will absorb them.
- Diameter of the disc: depending on the disk that you are going to use in this device, you will be able to find sizes of 7″, 10″ or 12″. It is very important that the turntable accepts all of these sizes so that whatever vinyl you put on, you can play it.
- angular velocity of the vinyl: This parameter is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm) and typical values ​​are 33, 45 and 78rpm. As you can imagine, it is vitally important that your turntable is compatible with these values ​​in order to use it.
These are the fundamental characteristics that your turntable must have no matter what. Then, there are others that can be a good addition in some situations:
- Speakers: in some models we find 1 or 2 speakers attached to the body of the device. These normally they are not of great quality. But, if you want portability and practicality, it can be a good aspect to consider.
- Connectivity and connections: As we mentioned at the beginning, some things from the past come back with certain "modern" details what do you intend improve our experience using them. In this case, some turntable models incorporate: bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, audio jack or S/PDIF port, among other details.
Best Turntables You Should Consider
Now that you know all the important points to consider before buying a new turntable, it's time to choose one to take home with you. With the success with which these are counting again in sales, the market is full of hundreds of different models.
To make your search a little easier, we have made a selection of those turntables that we found most interesting.
PRIXTON VC400 turntable
This PRIXTON VC400 is the most affordable model in this selection. It can play records of all sizes and speeds of 33.3/45/78 rpm. It features Bluetooth connectivity, two small 3W speakers, a USB port, and a headphone jack. And, as you can see from its design, it's completely portable, folding up into a travel case.
See offer on AmazonVIFLYKOO Turntable
If you prefer a more classic design with wood finishes, this VIFLYKOO turntable might be an interesting option . It incorporates two built-in speakers so you can enjoy music anywhere without external equipment. It's compatible with 7", 10", and 12" records, as well as speeds of 33, 45, and 78 rpm. And if you don't want to play a record, you can always use it as a wireless speaker thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity.
See offer on AmazonVOKSUN turntable
Another turntable for vintage design enthusiasts is this model from VOKSUN . Finished in leather and wood, this model discreetly conceals two small speakers on its sides. And, of course, you can connect it via Bluetooth to play music from your phone. As for compatibility, it plays vinyl records in 7", 10", or 12" sizes, and speeds of 33, 45, and 78 rpm.
See offer on AmazonION Audio Max LP Turntable
A model quite similar to one of the previous ones is this one from ION Audio . Finished in wood and with two speakers protruding from its top, this turntable features Bluetooth connectivity, as well as a USB output and a jack. However, in this case, there is also an identical model in a black finish.
See offer on AmazonAudio-Technica AT-LP3WH Turntable
Moving up in price, we come to the AT-LP3WH model from the well-known company Audio-Technica . Available in white or black, this turntable features two speeds: 33 and 45 rpm. It has an automatic tonearm, a magnetic cartridge, and is compatible with 7" and 12" records. This turntable is designed for those who appreciate a more modern design and, in addition, the high-fidelity sound that this company is known for.
See offer on AmazonAudio-Technica At-LP5X Turntable
Finally, we have another Audio-Technica model . In fact, it's the bigger brother of the previous one, the AT-LP5X . It features three speeds (33, 45, and 78 rpm) and is compatible with 7" and 12" records. Its phono cartridge has been improved with a dual moving magnet system and a replaceable stylus. The platter also includes a rubber damping mat to prevent unwanted frequency feedback.
See offer on Amazon*Note to the reader: the Amazon link of the offer you will find in this article is part of our agreement with their so-called Affiliate Program. Even so, the recommendations given in The Output are always created freely, without attending to any type of request on the part of the brands mentioned.