Records and Turntables

READ FIRST

To begin with, most people decide to spend very little because they wish to "see if they like it" so opt for below entry level equipment. Or on the spur of the moment buy a pretty suitcase player or have been gifted one.

Another reason could be you have heard that records sound better than digital. While this is a hotly debated topic, records can only sound better than digital IF you spend a lot to get great equipment. Digital can provide nice sound at very affordable cost and is more convenient.

ALL suitcase & all-in-one players should be avoided because they have a cheap mechanism which is prone to skipping, inconsistent speed and often breakdown. Image below depicts the tell tale look of this bad mechanism.

Bad tonearm

However if you must buy an all-in-one player the 1 By One H009 All-In-One Turntable is acceptable. This is NOT A RECOMMENDATION, merely pointing out this is the least worst one. It will work OK and does have a proper tone arm with adjustments.

Plus this model has Line/Phono output so you can upgrade to external powered speakers or a main amplifier with passive speakers which will make a big improvement over the built-in speakers.

SUGGESTED BUDGET $500USD+

This kind of setup is the minimum I will recommend which consists of separate turntable and a pair of powered speakers. This will enable you to position the speakers in more ideal location to be able to enjoy proper stereo sound.

Recommended are the audio-technica AT-LP120XBT-USB and AT-LPW40WN plus other ATs in this price bracket. Fluance are good and I recommend the minimum Fluance to buy is the RT82.Please do not buy the often recommended AT-LP60 or AT-LP70 or any other in that price bracket. Entry level gear is like buying a cheap street car and then driving in an off road rally.

IMPORTANT: All record playing systems requires a PHONO PRE AMPLIFIER (PPA) in the audio chain. So you need check if the turntable has one built-in, which is usually indicated by a switch on the back labeled LINE/PHONO so you can choose to use the built in PPA or not.

SUGGESTED POWERED SPEAKERS

Klipsch R-50PM pictured above are an example of powered speakers with PPA built-in so they will work with any turntable.

Edifier speakers DO NOT have a PPA so you must either have a turntable with PPA built-in or buy an external PPA to connect between turntable and power speakers.

NEUMI speakers DO NOT have a PPA so you must either have a turntable with PPA built-in or buy an external PPA to connect between turntable and power speakers.

For something a bit more audiophile consider

Q Acoustics speakers. These DO NOT have a PPA so you must either have a turntable with PPA built-in or buy an external PPA to connect between turntable and power speakers.

For a dirt cheap PPA that works OK try the Bozak Madisson M Phono Pre Amp

However a more expensive PPA will improve sound, see the PHONO page to learn more.

Bozak pre amp

COMPONENT SYSTEM $2,500USD

This is for enthusiast that want the full blown experience. Utilises a combination of separate components such as Turntable, Integrated Amplifier and Passive Speakers.

Expect to be spending $2,500USD or more. Here is an example of a typical setup. I am not necessarily recommending these components, it is just to give you an idea.

Rega Planar 2 turntable $800USD
Yamaha A-S501 integrated amplifier $550USD
Wharfedale Diamond 12.4 speakers $1,300USD

Rega are a well known UK brand that have been making turntables for decades. It does not have a built-in Phono Pre Amp so you need an external one or an amplifier with a PHONO input

Yamaha are a well respected and their gear is very reliable and clean sounding. The models in this series have a PHONO input so an external Phono Pre Amp is not required.

Wharfedale have been in the speaker biz for a very long time.