Are Vinyl Record Players Worth It? 15 Pros and Cons

A record player has everything you need to play and listen to vinyl albums. It has the core turntable system, with the tonearm and cartridge. This is connected to a preamp and amplifier, and they typically come with built-in speakers. Some even play other formats like CDs and cassette tapes.

These are probably the best type of system to go for if you are a new collector, as you don’t need to splash out on any other equipment. A portable record player is also a good choice if you’d like to play records away from home.

A turntable is a more streamlined and advanced device than a record player. These are just the raw systems used for playing and spinning a record. But they aren’t enough to hear the music coming off a vinyl record.

A turntable needs an external preamp, amplifier, and pair of speakers (or headphones) to complete the setup. A turntable-based setup gives you a more customizable sound compared to a record player but is more expensive and complicated to set up.

More info on this topic here → Turntables vs Record players – the key differences.

Are record players worth it?

In short, record players are a great way for beginners to get into the world of vinyl without the expense and complications of a turntable and amp-based setup.

Although, if you want to get better sound quality out of your records and keep them in good shape, you’re better off saving for a turntable setup. You can get a basic turntable + amplified (“powered”) speakers for around $250.

I think looking at my personal experience is an excellent way to get your head around the value.

When I first got interested in vinyl, I started out with a record player. It was a trashy old player that my parents had been keeping in the attic, along with their abandoned collection.

In my early years of collecting, the record player was fine. It was easy to use – I could just plug it in, put a record on, and enjoy. I didn’t have to worry about connecting any extra gear together, as the record player had built-in speakers.

After a few years, as my love for vinyl grew, I quickly outgrew this dusty old deck. It was flimsy and noisy, and the speakers were tinny and weak. I also couldn’t find a compatible replacement cartridge. It was good enough for listening to music alone in my bedroom for a few years, but I eventually knew it was time to upgrade.

When I realized how committed I was to vinyl, I was happy to invest more money in a decent system without feeling like I’d be wasting money. I began to upgrade. I saved up for a high-quality turntable (a TEAC TN-300), a decent amplifier, and a pair of decent speakers.

The level of improvement was huge.

Now I’ll give you some considerations to help you work out what is best for you.

Who are record players suitable for?

If…

• You are new to the world of vinyl.
• You prefer convenience over customization.
• You don’t already own any (or much) audio equipment.
• You don’t mind sacrificing some sound quality for a more affordable setup.

Then a record player will probably suit you well.

Otherwise…

Who should avoid record players and use turntable-based setups instead?

If…

• You’d happily spend more to get better sound quality.
• Prefer customization over convenience.
• Don’t mind (or are even interested in) the extra complications of these settings.
• Have some understanding of audio equipment, preamps, and amps. (Or a willingness to learn).

Then I’d recommend you save up for a turntable/amp setup instead of a record player.

You can get a record player and start building your vinyl record collection super cheap these days. As soon as you get a taste of the experience, you will know whether or not it is for you!

If you’re looking for a cheap way to get into vinyl, check out these guides for some good turntable recommendations and some extra tips to help you when buying!

• Best Record Players Under $100
• Buying a Record Player – 10 Tips and Recommendations.

Is vinyl worth it? Pros and Cons

To get a sense of whether vinyl is something you might enjoy collecting, this list of pros and cons highlights key topics to consider. This list is a general comparison to digital formats, like downloading files or using streaming services like Spotify.

The Benefits of Vinyl Records

Store of value

A vinyl record stores its value far better than digital files (.wav/mp3). You can resell vinyl records, you can’t resell a download. This makes building a collection a tight investment – if you look after your vinyl records correctly.

Satisfying and unique nostalgia

Vinyl has a nostalgic, warm, and unique recorded sound. When you compare a digital recording to a vinyl record side by side this becomes very apparent. There is something very satisfying about the crisp texture offered by a dusty record, which many people prefer to the clinical, cold tone of a CD or other format types.

The social factor of vinyl communities

Vinyl has more of a story and social scene. There is just something exciting about the physical nature of a record. It also brings people together in a more social way than virtual files. A record shop is a good place to meet people or spend the day with friends. You can’t go and hang out on iTunes now, can you?

A cool physical product with bigger, bolder artwork.

Vinyl is the king of physical audio media. The larger sleeves of vinyl are often things of beauty themself before you even listen to the recording. Compared to other mediums, vinyl records offer a more enriching experience and often include extra artwork like inserts, posters, and double sleeves.

Vinyl releases often include a download

Many vinyl records come with a downloadable file anyway. In a lot of new vinyl releases, you will find a download card that gives you codes for the digital album. In this case, you get the best of both worlds.

Exclusive, vinyl-only music

Some music is only on vinyl, and some releases come with bonus tracks that can’t be found anywhere else. This is attractive to music lovers who like having those exclusive song cuts.

Better support for the artist

You are providing your favorite artists more support than other formats. Streaming platforms like Spotify only pay artists less than a cent any time someone streams their songs. Other sites that offer digital downloads like iTunes and Amazon music aren’t much better.

Often artists get a better deal through albums released as vinyl, so not only are you getting a sweet record, but you’re also helping out your favourite band and the wider music industry.

The Downsides of Vinyl Records

They get damaged and degrade easily

Because records are a physical music format, they are prone to degrading over time, losing their quality. Each playthrough of a song imparts some amount of wear, even if it’s tiny, it adds up over time. A digital recording of albums or songs won’t be affected by this quality issue.

Records require maintenance and effort

Vinyl albums need more maintenance and care than digitized formats. First, they need to be stored in the correct way to prevent warping and damage. Secondly, they need to be cleaned regularly to remove dirt and dust. This is an extra layer of inconvenience compared to digital music.

Vinyl Setups also need maintenance

Besides the records themselves needing attention, you also need to take proper care of your setup, to maximize its lifespan, but also the lifespan of your records. This means regularly cleaning your turntable and stylus, and replacing parts when they break. A worn-out old stylus will quickly wear through vinyl, so it’s another expense to consider over time.

Higher surface noise and interference

Due to being physical, records are prone to an increased level of surface noise that otherwise wouldn’t be present in a digital download. Records collect static electricity, and dust, both of which end up adding a layer of unwanted noise to the listening experience. Even a clean record can have a level of surface noise as it gets worn over time.

Records are more expensive

Records are also generally more expensive than their digital counterparts. This is due to the additional manufacturing cost associated with producing a physical product.

Takes up more space and time

Collecting records requires more space and time than any other medium. Records are a large format, and if you build a big vinyl collection, you will need the space to store it. If you’re like me and end up with 1000s of records, it’s a serious space commitment that you need to factor in. CDs have the same issue but to a lesser extent, and digital music takes up minimal space.

Is vinyl a waste of money? Is vinyl worth the investment?

One good thing about vinyl is that you can usually sell it on if you end up falling out of love with it. Unlike a digital album or a Spotify subscription, when you buy a record, you’re buying a piece of physical property. If you take care of vinyl records they tend to hold their value pretty well.

This makes vinyl a fairly good investment in many regards. It might be a different market to traditional investments like real estate, stocks, and commodities, but you can view vinyl as a real asset. Vinyl records have a real value, and in many cases, they often become more valuable over time.

Whether it’s a waste of money depends on how much you enjoy the experience, and whether you look after your album stash. If you love listening to vinyl and enjoy collecting music, then you’re not wasting a penny, and buying vinyl makes sense. If you love records and end up scratching up a record from bad care and excessive use, then even that isn’t a waste of money as you’ve been entertained by that poor old record.

Even if you buy records, and end up not listening to them, then it still doesn’t have to be a waste of money because you can probably sell them for not much less than you paid in the first place.

Through my time as a collector, I’ve been through several record players, turntables, and amps, and cycled a tonne of records. I don’t feel like I’ve ‘wasted’ any money – even though I’ve spent a lot. I’ve got a lot of enjoyment out of the experience.