So whether you simply want to play your old records again or need to transfer them onto your computer, make sure you buy the right record player for you, otherwise you might be left feeling underwhelmed by the results. What should you look for in a record player? Auto operation You’ll also have to manually queue records, which isn’t a deal breaker by any means but may put off anyone looking for a fully automatic player. If that's you, the Denon DP-300F (also in this guide) is a great choice for a fully automated vinyl experience. No upgrade options, nor serviceable parts that can be sourced easily other than the stylus and belt.

The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is still one of the best entry-level hi-fi turntables you can buy, even though it has been usurped by the more recent model at the top of this list.While vinyl newcomers may cringe at the relatively high price here, we've tested it and can safely say it's actually an incredible bargain.Finally, what do you want to listen to? If you're looking for high-end audio that sounds exactly as intended, you might want to try a newer turntable. If you want a more gravelly sound and don't mind sacrificing some quality, use the old turntable you already have. OK, there are issues with its rotational consistency and the construction of its tonearm (and its controls), and it leads to sound that's too weedy to be deeply satisfying. Connecting to a separate amp (using the built-in phono stage, or to your own phono stage, usefully) doesn't really improve things enough either. The included sapphire sylus on many Leetac and Skywin-manufactured players, which has a maximum lifespan of between 65 to 100 hours due to the stylus' softer material than diamond. Yes, you can upgrade to a diamond tipped stylus for increased stylus longevity, but you will still have the exact same problems as described in this list. High end turntables typically offer a cleaner and more precise sound so your vinyl collection will sound better than ever.

May 31st, 2017 - Added ZasLuke to the list of brands to avoid, who uses low-end Hanpin OEM models and Skywin.A belt drive features a platter that sits on a bearing and is pulled by a belt to spin your record. A direct drive also features a platter, but this is directly connected to the motor via a spindle in the middle of the plate. Cromwell's laws so issued a very similar act in 1660, which confirmed the formation of The Post Office. The law made the GPO You want some 21st-century touches: Lately we’ve seen a few turntables with Bluetooth, or USB outputs. This ain’t one of them. Ultimately, new turntables are more advanced than older turntables, but it all comes down to your preferences. Are high-end turntables worth it?

This might be the best in the list for high-performing audio and specs, but it isn’t the prettiest or most elegant model. This turntable is designed to look like a turntable, albeit a nicely constructed and finished one. A hefty, smoothly finished chassis is topped by a tactile aluminium plinth. A key rival of ProJect, UK brand Rega has been manufacturing turntables in Essex since 1973. Its products are usually sold in specialist hi-fi stores such as Richer Sounds. Rega doesn't spend any money on advertising, claiming that it spends the money on research and development instead. As such, Rega fans praise its turntables for their high-precision manufacturing and build quality. Rega players tend not to include any extra features, such as automatic start/stop or USB outputs for making digital copies of your records. SonyJob #3 Position a stylus and transducer above a revolving groove, allow the stylus to follow the grove and faithfully reproduce the vibrations encoded within. One of the most vital things to look for when you’re shopping for a new vinyl player is how well damped it is.Damping is essentially the method by which manufacturers combat vibrations – whether internal or external. They do this through the use of different motor configurations, and through the use of various components. November 18, 2017 - Added brands such as Miric, Toshiba, G Keni, and Box Legend to the list to be avoided. A belt-drive turntable uses an elastic belt to connect the motor to the platter where the record sits. Some turntables are direct-drive, where the platter is spun directly by gears from the motor, but these are only really used by DJs who want their records to start spinning immediately. Built-in speakers November 11th, 2016 - Added Laser brand. Fixed formatting for consistency. Overhauled the list again to make it alphabetic. International brands has been rearranged by popularity.