Buying guide for Best turntables
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Something's happening with vinyl today that most thought never would: A format that was once considered to be obsolete has been revived by nostalgia and a craving for something less digital. The sound is unique, with warmth and crackling that fills a room.
If you're curious what all the hype is about, there's never been an easier time to dive in and find out. Modern turntables have found a way to thread the needle between convenience and technology while still delivering that rich sound. Plus, we've taken the guesswork out of the equation by doing hours of research on various turntables.
If you've got a few hundred bucks you're willing to invest, the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK is our favorite pick. It looks great, but sounds even better. The quality is second to none on our list, and you're getting such a trusted name in home audio.
What you’ll need to get started
Before you buy a turntable, make sure you have the right gear to connect it to, namely, an amplifier and speakers. If your turntable doesn’t include a built-in preamp, you’ll need to make sure your amplifier has an input marked “phono,” or you’ll need to buy a standalone preamp. Once you’ve got that set up, you’re ready to start shopping!
Anatomy of a turntable
Plinth
The base of the turntable is called a plinth. Modern plinths are noticeably dense or heavy in order to dampen as much external vibration as possible.
Platter and motor
Sitting atop the plinth is, among other things, the device's padded platter. The platter holds the record and rotates via the motor. There are two different ways this can happen. Belt-driven systems use an elastic band, which can reduce vibrations. Direct-drive systems are often more expensive, but they don’t wear out and are more consistent. Many audiophiles swear that belt-driven turntables sound better while direct-drive models are more durable; the debate isn’t likely to end any time soon.
Tonearm
Situated beside the platter is the tonearm. The tonearm guides the stylus and cartridge (see below) as they trace the record’s grooves. An unbalanced tonearm could drag the stylus across the record’s surface and damage it. For this reason, some high-end turntables include adjustable counterbalance weights that help prevent the stylus from skidding and scratching.
Stylus and cartridge
The stylus, also known as the needle, emits a slight vibration while following subtle nuances in the record’s sound grooves. The cartridge picks up this vibration and amplifies it. Electric impulses feed into a powerful preamp before reaching the main audio speakers.
Some turntables — especially those with cables marked “phono” — come with factory-installed preamps. Others require a separate preamp purchase.
Choosing a turntable
Finding a turntable with the features you want is key. We’ll discuss two big feature options here: digital recording and portability.
Digital recording
Using a USB cable and some software, you can save vinyl tracks as digital files to a computer via a turntable with a digital recording option.
Trade magazines and professional reviewers routinely give high marks to USB-equipped turntables for their ability to preserve vintage analog-recorded music. Critics warn that manufacturers who make USB-equipped machines may cut corners in other areas, reducing overall audio quality.
Portable turntables
As you shop turntables, you’ll likely notice there are two main categories to choose from: models that are designed to integrate with an existing stereo system, and models that are built as standalone, portable units.
Hi-Fi to go: Pros and cons
If you’re thinking of getting a portable turntable, consider the unique benefits:
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You can take it with you easily.
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They often include built-in speakers for easy listening.
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Standalone units often include built-in Bluetooth or CD players.
Just don’t forget that there are some compromises, like:
- Carrying around your record player means taking records with you.
- Portable turntable speakers often sound good, but not great.
- Stylus needles on portable turntables are often hard to replace—and in some cases, rely on low-quality materials that can damage your LPs.
Our bottom line: If you’re a casual listener or you need a turntable you can easily take anywhere, buy a portable model. If you’re buying a turntable for the sound quality, get one that integrates with your existing stereo.
Evaluating the specs
Shopping for a new turntable can be tricky. To the untrained eye, little visible difference exists between a $100 entry-level model and a $2,500 audiophile's dream. To make a long story short, the extra money you'd pay for a high-end turntable goes toward craftsmanship and performance.
But what if you're deliberating between several turntables in the same price range? In such a case, it helps to read the manufacturer’s spec sheet. For example:
- The specs for wow and flutter (average speed deviations) should hover as close to zero as possible. A turntable with lower wow and flutter specs is a better purchase.
- The opposite is true for a spec called signal-to-noise. This spec represents the decibel ratio between the signal for the music and ambient background noise. The higher the ratio, the better the machine.
FAQ
Q. I’m thinking of buying a turntable. Is any special maintenance required?
A. Dust and dirt can harm both your stylus and your records. Carefully remove unwanted particles from the needle with a stylus brush made of carbon fiber and a dab of cleaning solution. Dust your vinyl with the same type of brush, and gently wipe the records with a mixture of distilled water (never tap water!) and record-cleaning solution. Always store vinyl records vertically in a protective paper or plastic sleeve.
Q. My friend said I need to buy a separate preamp in order to play my turntable. Is this true?
A. That depends on what kind of turntable you have. Some turntables include a preamp; others don't. If you find a turntable that you like that doesn’t include a built-in preamp, you can always buy a preamp separately.
Q. In an age of advanced digital technology, why should I get a turntable?
A. While it’s true that digital music is more consistent and readily available, the reality is that most streaming services compress audio to conserve bandwidth — so in most cases, the sound quality you’re getting isn’t as good as it could be. Vinyl records offer uncompromising, uncompressed sound and use analog hardware to reproduce it, so while records often have the occasional click or pop, the sound quality in most cases is superior.
Perhaps most important of all: When you buy records, you own the music, so you can sell, trade, or give away your LPs as you see fit. If you stream or download music, you’re really just renting it. Many vinyl enthusiasts prefer the warm sound of records and enjoy listening without any monthly fees from streaming services.
A die-hard enthusiast would tell you that investing in a turntable and listening to a favorite album from the 1960s is not just about audio quality. It's also about hearing the songs the way the original artists intended them to sound.
Q. Where can I buy vinyl records?
A. Vinyl is all the rage right now, and you're likely to find it at a record store near you. Other major online retailers also carry them.
