How do you choose a record player?
How To Choose The Right Record Player
Choosing a record player involves several considerations, such as your budget, the features you need, and the type of turntable you prefer. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a record player:
- Budget: Record players can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. Determine how much you can afford to spend on a record player and look for models that fit within your budget.
- Drive type: There are two types of drive systems for turntables: belt-drive and direct-drive. Belt-drive systems tend to offer better sound quality but require more maintenance, while direct-drive systems are more durable and require less maintenance.
- Cartridge: The cartridge is the component that houses the stylus or needle that reads the grooves on your record. Consider the quality of the cartridge that comes with the turntable or whether you can upgrade it later.
- Speed: Most turntables play at two speeds: 33 1/3 and 45 RPM. If you plan on playing older records, you may also need a turntable that can play at 78 RPM.
- Tonearm: The tonearm is the component that holds the cartridge and stylus. Look for a tonearm that is well-built and has a low tracking force for better sound quality.
- Features: Consider what features you need in a record player, such as USB connectivity for digitizing your records, built-in speakers, or Bluetooth connectivity.
- Brand reputation: Look for record player brands with a good reputation for quality and reliability.
With a great sound system made vintage with a record player, you know that even though the speakers and amplifier can make the sound more potent, the record player is the star of the show.
The record player stand makes it look pretty, and the entire kit works as an ensemble, but choosing the right record player is the first step to achieving amazing sound quality!
There is a lot of pressure on choosing the right record player, and there are so many, and so much to consider that it can be a bit tricky to wade your way through the process. But, do not fret, we are here to help you make the right choice!
Considerations
There are several things you will need to consider to make sure that you make the right choice for you and your sound requirements. We will start with the budget because what we can afford will dictate what we can get more than anything.
What Is Your Budget?
If you have done any form of research at all before you arrived here, you will be familiar with some of the endless all-in-one, briefcase-style record players that have low prices to match how basic they are.
If this is what you want, then you should just check out the tracking weight of the cartridge as many can track 10g, which is around 4 to 5 times heavier than what you want and could easily rip your vinyl to pieces!
Most of these sound pretty poor, however, if you are set on this system, then your budget will also need to stretch to a speaker.
However, if you are beginning from basics and want a traditional record player set-up, you need to also acquire an amplifier, interconnects, speaker cables, and unless it’s built in a phono stage as well.
Including all of the above, the record player should not take up much more than only ¼ of your budget overall. The system will still work even if you have a deck that the amp and speakers cannot justify. However, it will be very hampered.
There is no point in overspending on one thing if you could have spent your money better on something else!
There are also a lot of variations of a traditional set-up that can sound better with fewer components. Photo stages are often built-in, which would mean you can think about getting an outboard one if you wanted to upgrade or strip things back to basics!
However, even if you have the rest of the system and a lot of cash, you should think about how a turntable costing a great deal would complement your current system.
Will it be hamstrung by cabling or your amp, if so, you will need to spend some money on upgrades elsewhere. Or are you not spending enough to hear a real difference?
The Features
This all means that features are important too! Setting a budget early will at least give you an idea of what turntables you want to look into more. However, this will also help you list out the features you want.
One of the things that are worth considering is how many speeds you will need it to spin. Most can play 33 ⅓ rpm and 45 rpm, however, 78 rpm is very rare in budget or midrange decks. Besides, only very willful artists will release any of this!
You will also want to avoid manually changing the speed as well, ‘automatic’ can be a lot of things, including the tonearm doing all the work at a button push. However, the only time you won’t have this is on some belt-driven decks.
Of course, the features which will dictate the rest of your system are more important. Things such as wireless capabilities and phono amplification are here.
A system with a phono stage built in will save you from buying an outboard unit.
The Cartridge
You won’t need to worry about this immediately. As most budget and mid-range turntables will have one fitted. So you just need to find one you like the sound of overall. However, it is always ideal to find a future upgrade that is kind to your budget.
Overall
There is a lot to consider when looking to buy the right record player for you. Most of your decision depends on the set-up you want, and what you already have that will work alongside it.
Make sure you do your research and become better acquainted with everything you need to have a great system!
How do you choose a record player?
