How to Choose the Best Record Player for You

If you love vinyl, you’ll want to know how to choose the best record player before you go out and buy one. With so many different models on the market, it can be tough to figure out which one will work best for your needs, but we’re here to help. If you have your eye on an all-in-one record player, we can tell you which are the best choices in that category.

Identify your budget

Before you buy a record player, it’s important to have an idea of how much you’re willing and able to spend. High-end turntables can run well over $1,000, but don’t need to be that expensive. In general, expect most top of the line models cost anywhere from $400-$2,000. The best record players fall between these two extremes. We recommend spending at least $250 and going higher if budget allows—the extra money is well worth it when we consider sound quality and durability over time (usually reflected in build quality). As an added bonus: a higher-end unit will probably come with more features as well!

Understand the different types of best Record Player

The most basic types of record players use a drive belt and have either manual or automatic turntables. Manual turntables require you to manually lift, lower, and move a needle arm over each record. Automatic record players do all of that for you. The turntable’s size can range from small enough to fit in your hand (this style is great if you want only one player) to large enough that it can hold several records at once (great if you want an option that’s great at parties). There are also options with built-in stereo systems so they can play music through external speakers. This feature makes it ideal if you have an extra area in your home or office where you like to play music or have friends over for a cocktail party and other gatherings.

What are all these technical specs?

With all of these specs, numbers and symbols it can get a little overwhelming trying to figure out what you actually need in a turntable. We’ll cover them all one by one but first there are some basics that we need to address so you don’t get confused. The word turntable comes from an old french word etourne meaning to make round. The earliest forms of turntables were used by musicians and played up until about 40 years ago when vinyl was put on its deathbed (which turned out not be very final). When shopping for a new best Record Player try looking into belt-drive or direct-drive models.

What are some good brands I can trust?

Not all best Record Player are created equal. Each one is different and has different features, so there’s not really a best brand. It all depends on what you need from your new device. For example, if you want an audiophile-quality experience, then you need to make sure that you buy a turntable with a phono preamp (for better sound quality) or built-in speakers (for convenience). The best brands include Audio Technica, Sony, and Ion.

What is a USB turntable?

Vinyl has made a resurgence in recent years. But, if you want to play a record through your computer, there’s no reason to buy an entirely new turntable. USB turntables feature a built-in sound card that allows you to play music from your computer using basic controls on your device. Most are fairly easy to use and small enough for travel. So, before you head out and buy an entirely new system, think about getting a USB turntable—it might be all you need!

Know how to set it up properly

It can be tempting to buy a best Record Player, place it on your shelf and use it for its intended purpose. However, if you want your new record player to last, it’s vital that you set it up properly. To do so, choose a level surface that’s large enough to accommodate your table or stand (and don’t forget room on either side of the platter so you can easily remove records). Make sure there is sufficient clearance behind and above your turntable – an inch is good but three inches is better – as heat generated by components near these surfaces can cause interference with audio quality. Avoid placing your turntable in front of walls or too close to corners as bass frequencies bounce back more readily in these situations and may cause distortion.

Use earplugs

Hearing damage is inevitable. Too much time listening to music through headphones and earbuds, or through speakers at a loud volumes can take a serious toll on your hearing over time. In fact, about 15% of Americans between ages 20 and 69 have experienced some level of hearing loss according to NIDCD (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders). If you listen to a lot of music (and don’t already wear earplugs), we recommend that you consider buying a pair. That way, when you do go out with friends, they won’t need to shout all night just so you can join in.