![]() ![]() Drop anywhere from £/$200-400 and you’ll be comfortably into territory where the components are better, the sound starts to improve and you’ll get an extra dollop of style. If you’re going truly budget then you can pick something up for up to around the $/£150 mark. This all depends on whether you’re looking for a budget turntable, or something a little higher up the budget scale. (Image credit: Getty/Antonius Hielscher / EyeEm) How much should I spend on a record player? Without a preamp, your vinyl will sound incredibly quiet and weedy, and who wants that? If not, you’ll need to factor in additional budget for one of the best phono preamps. So, the question is, does your new record player come with one built-in? If it’s a yes, then you should be able to hook your speakers/amp up directly to your deck. ![]() Generally speaking, though, a phono-less turntable that goes through an external phono stage before getting to the amplifier will sound best, so consider going down that route if you’re serious about good audio quality from your record player. Many turntables have a phono stage built-in, as do some stereo amplifiers. This is essentially a step-up amplifier – they’re often referred to as phono preamps – that increase the tiny output of a record player to a level that a standard stereo amplifier can work with. If you’re boarding the vinyl bandwagon for the first time or getting back into the hobby, start by familiarising yourself with some key components, particularly the phono stage. ![]() Do I need a phono preamp for my record player? You may need a separate phono preamp for that, but more on that below. However, if you’re planning on spending a bit of cash on your turntable and want to get the best from your vinyl, then we do recommend purchasing a dedicated set of hi-fi speakers. If you’re going down the portable record player route, then this may well be enough for mobile listening of your vinyl. While some record players do come with built-in speakers - mostly at the budget end of the spectrum - these can be functional at best. Ultimately, only you can decide what type of vinyl listener you want to be. For many people, though, especially those who have been in the vinyl game for a while, a little initial tweaking and manual operation are keys to the charm of turntable ownership, and the simplest record players are often the best-sounding. Many of the best record players on the market have automatic functionality, which means you only have to press a button for the tonearm to move into place and drop the needle into the groove at the start of the record.įully automatic and semi-automatic turntables lift the needle from the groove at the end, too. It's worth bearing in mind that setting up a turntable for the first time can be a fiddly business, with components that need fitting and carefully adjusted. If in doubt, remember this: the techiest turntable is almost never the one that sounds the best. While it’s nice to have lots of options at your fingertips, don’t splash out on tech you'll never use, as you could save yourself a bit of cash. It's also important to put some thought into whether you’ll actually use those kinds of features. Sony and Audio-Technica, meanwhile, are particularly good at pairing true hi-fi audio quality with modern features such as Bluetooth and USB recording. While our pick for best record player overall is made by Rega, don't forget about Austrian brand Pro-Ject which also boasts an accomplished range, while Technics and Clearaudio dominate the high-end record player sector. While no audio firm has a completely perfect record in this area, sticking to the established and well respected brands is a great place to start. It might sound obvious but sound quality is the biggest priority by far. So, you've decided to pull the trigger and purchase a shiny new record player, but what are the key elements to consider before laying down your hard-earned cash? (Image credit: Audio-Technica) How to choose the best record player for you ![]()
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