Buying a Record Player: 10 Tips & Top 10 Best Turntables

There are differences between turntables and record players, although people often use both words to describe what is just a turntable.

The main difference is that record players contain more components. A record player contains a turntable, but a turntable doesn’t contain a record player.

Record players are all-in-one systems. That means the term describes the full setup, including the amps and speakers. The word turntable just refers to the spinning unit and stylus/cartridge setup.

Which should I choose?

The best choice depends on your level of interest in vinyl setups and the situations you plan to listen to vinyl.

Record players can save money in the long run, as they include everything you need to listen to a record.  But, they often use lower quality components to reduce production costs, which can wear down your records faster.

Alternatively, turntables are more customizable, but you will need to buy additional equipment.

I’d recommend a turntable-based setup instead of record players for more serious vinyl enthusiasts.

Record players are great for a minimalist setup but don’t allow for much further customization, expansion, or upgrading.

For a deeper analysis, check out my full guide about the differences → Turntable vs Record Player: Which to Buy and why.

Make sure you work out the right amount of money to budget for each element of a turntable setup.

You’ll need more than just a turntable to enjoy vinyl records. At the bare minimum, you’re going to need an amplifier and speakers to use a turntable, both of which can be pretty expensive.

You may also find yourself needing a few additional components and accessories.

Work out your overall budget. If you already have speakers and an amp, then you can spend more money on a turntable. If you‘re without, then I’d suggest spending 50% on the turntable and the other 50% on speakers, amps, and any other accessories.

Suggestion for a small budget:

You can get a decent basic setup at an affordable price these days.

For $300 (£250), you could buy a turntable, amp, and speakers, which is everything you need to get started. This budget would be suitable for a decent beginner’s setup. For a full audiophile-grade setup, you’d be looking at closer to $1500 (£1115).

($60/£50) For an all-in-one setup, something like the Victrola Turntable is a great place to start. This is self-contained, easy to use, and has built-in speakers. This contains everything you need to get started listening to records. You won’t need to buy any extra gear.

($250/£210)  For an affordable turntable setup, I’d recommend something like the Audio Technica LP60, with a pair of small active speakers like the Presonus Eris E Range. This gives you the option of upgrading various parts of your setup, but without costing a huge amount. You could connect this system with a mixer or better amplifier later on.

Your turntable will need different features depending on how and where you plan on using it.

Setup:

You’ll need certain elements based on your setup style. Depending on whether you’re using additional gear, DJing, or aiming for an audiophile-grade rig, the deck you use is going to need the right features.

Choose a turntable that integrates well with the rest of your equipment. Make sure the turntable has the electronics and compatibility. If you’re looking at a wired setup, make sure you choose a turntable with the right output connections.

For inspiration, check out this guide → Popular turntable setup ideas.

Direct Drive vs Belt Drive:

Belt-drive motors have a better, more consistent playback speed. Direct drive has faster acceleration, making it better for DJing.

Typically belt drives are favored by Hi-Fi style audiophile rigs (because they spin a platter at a more stable speed and are less likely to cause “rumble” noise because the belt isolates the motor from the platter), and direct drives are used for mixing (for their fast spin-up times). More on this topic here → Direct drive vs Belt drive turntables: Which are Best & Why?

Preamps:

Record players commonly come with built-in preamps. This is useful if they have built-in speakers. Some rigs let you bypass the internal preamp and use it with external ones.

This can be a nice feature if you’d be interested in upgrading other parts of your setup later on (like the amp, speakers, mixer, etc).

Connectivity:

Work out how you’re going to have your turntable system plugged in. You may need certain connection outputs from the turntable based on the equipment you’re connecting it to.

Most mixers, DJ gear, and vinyl preamps use a phono connection (two terminals – one red, one white).

Although you may need a 3.5mm aux if you’re using that kind of setup. This is a single, thin connection, like the headphone socket of your phone.

For home use, you may want some extra connectivity like Bluetooth and USB. Bluetooth is useful if you already have a wireless-based speaker setup. Bluetooth-enabled turntables can save on wires and clutter, although the internal preamp before the Bluetooth output is sometimes cheap, which creates a weak sound.

Some turntables come with USB connectivity, meaning they can be plugged straight into a pc or computer. Plugging a turntable into a computer is a great way to record your vinyl. Alternatively, you could plug the record players into an external interface if you wanted to record without using a USB connection.

More expensive turntables tend to have a higher level of upgradability and expansion.

Basic models will be limited in the way they can be upgraded.

Sure, you could pick up a super cheap record player for less than $40 (£30), but you’re not going to be able to change much about it. With higher-quality turntables, you can replace the cartridge and calibrate the overall unit in much more detail.

You should think about how serious you are about vinyl. If you’re more of a casual listener, then you would probably be happy with a fairly simple model.

A vinyl enthusiast will generally want more flexibility in their setup. You will also want a more transparent-sounding turntable that creates a more accurate representation of the vinyl’s sound. With upgradeable turntables, you can improve and tune the sound quality later.

For some people, sound quality will be the deciding factor of the turntable they choose.

Although, other people may not be as concerned with sound quality.

If you’re a stickler for sound quality like me, then you’re going to need to spend a little more on buying the right kind of turntable. There are several features, mostly to do with calibration and acoustics, that are essential in achieving the desired sound.

Turntables have a few key areas where sound quality is affected: 

The stylus and cart: this is where the sound signal originates. Any issues here are exaggerated by the rest of the audio chain, so they must be as high quality as possible.

The Body: The design and materials of the body of the turntable have a large effect on its acoustics. With cheaper, plastic turntables, you tend to hear issues with feedback and vibration interference. Premium turntable models use materials that isolate parts of the turntable to create a cleaner sound.

The Motor: Lower-cost motors tend to have a higher level of flutter and wow, which creates an inconsistent sound when listening. Quality turntables use better-tuned motors with more consistent playback.

For decent sound quality, you’d be looking to start at around $300 (£250). Although the more you spend, the better the quality will be.

Of course, the best turntable for you depends on your interest level in vinyl.

If you’re serious about sound, it’s probably worth spending a little more to get a higher-quality device. For beginners and casual listeners, it probably isn’t worth spending a huge amount as you may not notice the difference.

This describes how the tonearm works.

On automatic turntables, there is a self-activating mechanism that moves the tonearm into place. There is a further mechanism for moving the tonearm back to its resting place once the record has finished playing. This mechanism is often linked to a start/stop button.

Automatics prevent damage to records and styli, as they are lowered down much more safely and slowly than by hand. When you put the needle down yourself, you can easily scratch your records or damage the stylus.

On manual turntables, you have to raise and lower the tonearm yourself. There isn’t a mechanism to do it for you. This style is more common on DJ turntables and lower-priced or older models.

Semi-automatic turntables are a mix of the two. The tonearm has elements of automation but isn’t fully automatic. These usually work with a simple raise/lowering mechanism and may not automatically re-house the tonearm when the record finishes.

Which should I use?

It depends on how you’re going to use the turntable. If you’re going to be more heavily involved with the turntable, like a DJ, then a manual may be better. This is suitable if you are close to the deck to move the tonearm when the record ends.

If you’re more of a sit-down listener, an automatic turntable would be a better choice. Otherwise, you will have to stand up and stop the record yourself.  In an ideal world, you want the tonearm to be removed from the record as soon as the music is over – this extends the longevity of your records, the stylus, and the motor.

Some turntables are better suited to certain situations than others.

Think about where you will install your turntable and whether any issues may arrive from the placement.

You may need a turntable with adjustable feet to get an even level. Turntables need to be perfectly level for the best performance, so choose a model that will work with your space.

Some units don’t have adjustable feet and are housed in a simple box style. These can still be good, although they may be a little unstable for some locations.

Planning where to place your speakers is also important. You don’t want to place them on the same surface as your turntable since the vibrations will affect your turntable’s playback. If you need to buy speaker stands and/or a turntable isolation platform, those will add to the cost of your setup.

It’s not a massive issue, but you may want to choose a turntable that matches the aesthetic of its environment. Turntables come in a wide variety of visual styles, some are dark and mechanical, and others are more natural-looking, sometimes using wood.

Most DJ-style turntables have a similar look, but belt drives and audiophile turntables come in a wide variety of aesthetics. Some are more traditional looking, and others are more modern.

It depends on your tastes and style, but it’s something worth considering.

There are a few turntable-related accessories that will make your life much easier.

There are smaller accessories and then some larger items.

Calibration Equipment: Several tools assist with the calibration process. These can help you can achieve a much more accurate setup calibration, which results in better sound quality and prevents damage to your vinyl and turntable.

Examples of useful calibration tools include:

• Spirit Level – for getting a balanced placement.
• Stylus Force Gauge – for measuring the tracking force.
• Cartridge Alignment Protractor – to get the stylus angled perfectly.

Check out my full guide on calibration here → How to set up a turntable

Cleaning Equipment: This can save a lot of time and effort overall. Keeping your vinyl and turntable clean is essential in preserving its longevity. Playing dusty or dirty records will quickly interfere with the stylus, creating a more muffled sound.

Cleaning brushes are useful, I recommend brushing your vinyl before you play them every time.

You can also buy vinyl cleaning spray, which can help clean the dustiest piece of wax.

Other Equipment:

There are a few other items that are useful to have when listening to vinyl.

If you’re into DJing, then you’re going to need a mixer and headphones.

If you’re a serious vinyl collector, you need to think about how you’re going to store and organize your record collector. Just storing alone can require a lot of space. The organization can also take a long time to get right.

To preserve the quality of your records, they should be stored properly. Leaving them lying around in stacks can bend and warp the records. Ideally, they should be stored standing up.

Record shelves are a super useful accessory for anyone with a large collection.

This debate comes up a lot in the vinyl and music community.

Like many things, buying second-hand can save a lot of money. Buying pre-loved equipment can save your wallet, but there are also more risks associated with it.

Sometimes older turntables can actually offer better sound quality at the same price as a new one. Turntables in the ’70s and ’80s were highly-developed and often sound better than new, low-cost models.

I personally buy most of my music equipment second-hand. Not always, but often the quality is just as good as the day it was sold in a shop. Although, you should also factor in potential costs for replacement parts and refurbishment.

Here are the arguments for buying secondhand:

Pros:

• Cheaper
• More variety available
• Recycling equipment is better for the environment
• Can make for an exciting DIY project

Cons:

• Risk of damage & no returns
• Equipment may be worn out
• May need to replace parts.

Second-hand turntables can still sound great. If you swap out the cartridge and stylus, it could literally sound as good as new – provided there’s no additional damage anywhere.

Some old models, for example, the Dual 1219, are still regarded as benchmarks in terms of sound quality and design.