Turntable vs Record Player: Differences, Pros/Cons, Buying

Are you getting into vinyl records and trying to understand the difference between a turntable vs record player? Are you wondering which of the two you should buy?

You’ve come to the right place!

While ‘turntable’ and ‘record player’ are often used interchangeably, they technically describe two different devices.

I’ll start with a short answer…

TL;DR – Record players and turntables in a nutshell

A turntable is intended for vinyl enthusiasts, while a record player is intended for people seeking convenience and simplicity above anything else.

At their core, they do the same basic thing that their forefathers (gramophone and phonograph) did: Transform physical grooves into electrically-driven sound. (More on that here → Record player history 101)

If you:

• just want to be able to listen to your record collection
• don’t care too much about sound quality
• prefer an all-in-one device, or you’re on a tight budget

… get a record player.

If you:

• are serious about collecting vinyl
• want good quality sound
• want the option to be able to upgrade later on

… a turntable is the better choice.

Read on to learn more about the differences and which to go for.

The basics of a turntable include:

1. The platter that holds the record and spins at pre-set speeds (measured in ‘rpm’ – revolutions per minute)
2. A tonearm, which is the key moving part of a turntable and sits next to the platter, that holds…
3. … the cartridge and stylus, which is the technical term for the needle that runs through a record’s grooves, causing vibrations. The cartridge and its stylus translate the vibrations into an electrical signal.
4. In some cases, turntables include a built-in phono preamp (pre-amplifier) for added convenience. A phono stage preamp boosts the weak sound signal that’s produced by the turntable’s needle and its cartridge housing to a louder phono signal.
5. Modern turntables sometimes come with a Bluetooth transmitter and a USB-compatible port for additional connectivity options.

Turntables on their own are not enough to play vinyl records. You will need some additional equipment in your setup – namely an amp and speakers/headphones to create the physical sound waves.

Whether or not the turntable of your choice comes with additional options, you’ll at the very least need a pair of Bluetooth headphones if your turntable supports that type of connection

Other popular turntable setups include:

1. Turntable (with built-in preamp) + Amplifier + Speakers
2. Turntable + headphone amp + headphones
3. Turntable + separate phono preamp (which is a popular option among audiophiles/enthusiasts for improved sound quality) + Amplifier + passive speakers (+ headphones)
4. Turntable (with built-in phono preamp) + powered (or ‘active’/amplified) speakers

The downsides of turntables

1. They’re more expensive than record players, also because you need additional components to be able to hear the music played
2. They’re not built to be portable
3. There’s more to consider when buying one when it comes to versatility and the ability to upgrade parts later down the line. It all depends on how serious you are about vinyl and audio quality. An audiophile is more likely to spend a lot more money on a turntable to start with than a casual vinyl collector.

That’s because more expensive turntables don’t just sound better out of the box but are also more suited to higher quality upgrades for parts, like the cartridge, the platter, or the preamp. That allows you to improve your overall audio system setup later down the line.

Sometimes record players also contain an AM/FM radio and a compact disc (CD) player and are offered in all sorts of shapes and styles. They’re often made with a retro look from the 1940s/1950s/1960s, supposedly to tap into some form of nostalgia associated with old music and vinyl records.

Cheaper record players are also often housed inside a basic briefcase, so you can take it with you wherever you like and enjoy your records anywhere.

Currently, the most popular brands that produce record players are Victrola and Crosley.

The downsides of record players

1. Most record players are made of cheap parts and built to sell as cheaply as possible. The overall build quality is lower than a turntable setup
2. Although they do come with a built-in power amplifier and built-in speakers, don’t expect to be blown away by the sound that record players produce. You get the kind of sound you’d expect to come with the retro look
3. They’re not good for your records. Record players usually come with a basic tonearm and cheap ceramic needle that presses down on your records a lot harder than regular turntable needles. In other words: With frequent play, cheap record players will wear out the grooves much quicker, produce lower-quality audio and potentially ruin your records.

Price of a turntable vs record player

Record players start at around $55 and are significantly cheaper to buy than turntables. Crossley and Victrola are the leading brands here, with a variety of types and colors to choose from. Build quality won’t be top-notch, but they do the job of playing records without much hassle.

Entry-level turntables start at around $120, with the most frequently recommended example being the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK. It’s a very solid choice by a manufacturer with a long-standing history in audio equipment and backed by thousands of positive user reviews.

Be aware that although the above-mentioned Audio Technica turntable has a built-in phono pre-amplifier (which is necessary to boost the weak signal produced by the needle), some entry-level turntables require you to purchase a separate preamp.

Have a look at these guides for more info:

• The Best Record Players and Turntables Under $100
• The Best Turntables Under $200
• Buying a Record Player/Turntable: Tips and Recommendations
• Are Vinyl Record Players Worth It? 15 Pros and Cons

Budget turntable setup suggestions

If you’re on a tight budget but want to take the turntable route, here are a few options to get you started:

1. Pair the Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT-BK with a pair of Bluetooth headphones or a simple Bluetooth speaker. That won’t set you back more than $200-$225, and it’s a combo you can build on with an amplifier (receiver) and speakers later on.
2. Get the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK (same model but without Bluetooth connectivity) and get a cheap second-hand set of speakers and an amplifier (receiver) to get you started. Because this turntable comes with a built-in phono pre-amplifier, you could also try and find active (powered) speakers for which you don’t need a separate amplifier. You could even get a simple set of computer speakers and hook them up (which is how I started myself once upon a time) and be done with $150-175 for your starter setup.
3. If you want to start with a higher quality sound, get a decent turntable and a small amp and speakers. If you get a turntable with a preamp built-in, you can use a pair of active speakers, which will work with the line-level signal.

On a side note, Professional DJs use only turntables rather than record players. They also favor direct-drive turntables rather than belt-drive turntables. For more info on this topic, see my guide → Direct drive vs Belt drive.

How to use a record player or turntable

Now that you know the differences, it’s probably good to know what’s involved in actually using one of these devices. I’ve got an explainer for that here → How to use a record player/turntable.

Still unsure?

I know it can be hard to decide between a turntable vs a record player, but I’m here to help.

If you’re still undecided, leave your questions in the comment field below, and I’ll get back to you asap.

There’s an actual human vinyl enthusiast here – promise! 😉