How to choose a turntable

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

What to look for when choosing a turntable, is it worth taking a used one and which models to give preference to - everything that lovers of the warm sound of vinyl should know.

Why listen to vinyl at all?

Listening to vinyl has regained popularity: even the chains of household appliances and electronics stores have included records in their assortment. World-class music artists are not limited to CD and iTunes releases, but also allowing fans to listen to the album on vinyl. The subject itself is of interest not only for young people with a weakness for retro aesthetics, but also for experienced audiophiles. And there are at least three reasons for this.

Sound

The fundamental difference between listening to a record and playing a CD is in the music reproduction technology itself. When recording vinyl, the sound wave is converted into an electrical impulse, after which a special machine literally draws a graphical representation of the impulse on the original disc. Matrices are stamped from the original disk, and plates are stamped from them (algorithms may vary somewhat). During playback, the reverse process occurs: the turntable removes the sound from the vinyl, and the phono stage, amplifier and acoustics convert it back into a sound wave.

Be sure to make a reservation: vinyl in terms of sound is not a step forward, but a step to the side. This format, of course, has certain advantages, but they will all be of value to the amateur.

Yes, digital bypasses vinyl in the accuracy of the reproduced sound and the width of the frequency range (if we consider high-definition digital format). But adherents of analog players are not convinced by this, and here's why.

“It doesn't matter how high the sampling rate is: all the information provided by an analog recording cannot be encoded,” commented Eliot Van Buskirk, the difference between digital and analogue.

The original analog signal can be depicted as a continuous wave, consisting of an infinite number of physical points, and the digital signal even at the highest sampling rate, as fans of analog sound are convinced, consists of a limited number of coordinates. We suggest reading more about the differences between analog and digital audio here.

Vinyl lovers describe the sound as warm, although professionals tend to avoid such vague phrasing. However, there are the most tangible explanations for such abstract concepts.

Firstly, the oscillation of the stylus height and detonation from the running motor cause vibrations in the sound of the recording. This defect does not irritate record lovers. On the contrary, many believe that it "animates" the turntable, demonstrating the influence of mechanics on the music being played.

Secondly, warm sound is directly related to the reproduction of low frequencies. Pitchfork journalist Mark Richardson characterized the so-called warmth of vinyl as sloppy bass. The fact is that the abundance of low frequencies negatively affects the width of the grooves and sound engineers are forced to carry out additional operations to change the track when recording a composition on a disc.

Aesthetics

Passion for vinyl inevitably awakens the passion of a collector in a person. Music lovers are proud of both expensive turntables and accessories, and records, the price of which is also high relative to other audio carriers (however, there are well-known "Melody" records or imported records from unpopular publishers, which are easy enough to purchase for little money). Rare and exclusive editions are the main high-income vinyl gourmet collectibles.

With the massive arrival of torrent trackers and the ability to legally purchase songs for a small fee, the value of music has dropped significantly. The hunt for rare and expensive records returns this value to music lovers.

Playing records is not just listening to music. This is a real hobby, which includes, in addition to pressing the Play button, dozens of different rituals: dusting the turntable, washing records, changing needles, upgrading and preventive maintenance of devices. Listening to vinyl itself can be attributed to the ritual process: from unpacking an envelope with a record to contemplating the operation of a mechanical turntable.

Music

When you burn a CD, the output is exactly what you expected. Vinyl, on the other hand, tends to directly affect the sound. Many artists present alternative versions of mixing compositions for vinyl, include various bonuses and exclusives on the records.

By choosing an analogue format, the listener rescues the temptation to switch or rewind the playing song. And this is an essential plus of vinyl when it comes to concept albums. Listening to a release from start to finish has a positive effect on the level of involvement of the listener and, therefore, on the sense of satisfaction received from the album.

What to look for when buying a turntable?

First of all, it is worth considering that one turntable is not enough to listen to vinyl. The set of necessary devices looks like this: a player, a phono stage, an amplifier, and speakers. Without them, there will be simply nothing to reproduce the records.

Many non-professional turntables have a built-in phono stage. This model is worth taking if you don't expect to upgrade your vinyl system in the future.

There are turntables that combine everything you need to play records. We do not recommend paying attention to them. The fact is that all inclusive players are usually of a very low class, and the prices for acceptable quality electrophones are very high. The black list of vinyl music lovers is headed by budget turntables from ION, WATSON, Crosley.

Save money on choosing your turntable wisely. Remember: buying a budget device without making sure of its quality, you run the risk of ruining your records.

Player device

1. Plane washer (platter, pancake) - the disk on which the record is placed.
2. Tonearm is a lever to which a cartridge with a needle is attached.
3. Counterweight - A weight that allows you to balance the tonearm and adjust the downforce of the stylus.
4. Anti-skating - adjusting the anti-skating force compensator.
5. The cartridge (phono cartridge) is one of the most important parts of a turntable, responsible for reading music from a record.

Key factors when evaluating a turntable

The weight

A good turntable should have a fair amount of weight. As a rule, devices weighing less than 7 kg are intended for the most discerning audiophiles. In particular, the turntable faceplate must be heavy. Some modern manufacturers began to make pancakes and tonearms out of carbon. Carbon is a relatively light material, so such turntables can maintain quality even at low weight.

Adjusting the needle pressure and anti-skating force

The presence of these options indicates the high class of the player.

Cartridge

There are two types of cartridges: ½”and T4P. The first type implies a high class of the device and the possibility of upgrading the player. The disadvantage of these cartridges is the complexity of the adjustment: if an amateur is able to correctly adjust the balance of the tonearm and the downforce of the needle, then the help of a professional may be needed to correctly align the cartridge according to the template. T4P cartridges are easier to use: they are single bolt and have the same weight, downforce and needle drop.

Needle sharpening type

As a rule, spherical needles are installed on budget options. Experienced vinyl lovers usually prefer elliptical needles. There are other options for sharpening needles.

Possibility to replace the cartridge

A quality turntable should support needle and cartridge replacement. After purchasing the device, the cartridge should be replaced: as a rule, the players are initially sold with budget (and in the case of buying a used device - worn out) components. It is also worth taking care of the availability of replaceable elements, since they are not universal.

The physical principle of the cartridge

There are two types of heads: MM and MC heads. We will not delve into the nuances of the operation of these types of cartridges, just say that the overwhelming majority of audiophiles prefer MC-heads because of the softer and more detailed sound transmission. Most of these heads, unfortunately, do not support needle replacement, so the entire cartridge will have to be replaced.

Turntable drive

There are three types of drive: direct, belt (belt) and roller. This characteristic is responsible for the mechanical principle by which our faceplate moves when a record is played.

Direct drive suitable for scratching and other DJ stuff.

Music lovers, on the other hand, often give preference to a belt drive: in most cases, it provides a more uniform disc rotation and a lower knock coefficient.

The roller drive is the least common due to the high vibration transmitted to the disc from the motor. However, there are examples of high-quality turntables with a roller mechanism, the work of which does not cause any complaints, and all types of drives have their fans.

Which is better to take: new or used?

Price

In terms of value for money, second-hand devices have a significant advantage. The lower bar of the price range of high-quality turntables for advanced vinyl connoisseurs will be about 30 thousand rubles. Used devices of similar quality can be bought for half the price. By the same analogy: a used turntable for 7 thousand rubles can match the characteristics of a new one for 15 thousand.

With 30 thousand rubles, you can purchase a device that meets the quality standards of new players for 80 thousand rubles or more.

These comparisons are very arbitrary, because in the market of used devices, a lot is decided by chance, and the price of players in the capitals and regions can differ significantly. But the opportunity to purchase a high-quality device, while significantly saving money, is a fact that gives the victory in this round to used devices.

Quality

The peak of development of vinyl players was reached in the 70s of the last century. This is the case when newer does not mean better. The old-fashioned players did not affect the globalist tendencies: devices from Germany were assembled by pedantic Germans, from Japan - by responsible Japanese. No craze for Chinese components and Malaysian assembly. Two is zero in favor of used devices.

Ease of use

By purchasing a new unit, you get a guarantee of a replacement or return of the player. There will also be no problems with repairs: manufacturers offer service and the necessary components.

If your chosen used non-Technics turntable with a Lifetime Motor Warranty or a high-end Japanese turntable designed to last for years, then you may be in trouble after purchasing the unit. Reanimating a used turntable can be difficult. Not only will it almost certainly have to be cleaned and lubricated after purchase, but also the necessary components (cartridges, needles, capacitors) can be compared in price with the purchase itself.

How do I choose a used turntable?

If you are a beginner or hobbyist in the vinyl world, ask a professional to help you verify that the unit is working properly. This will protect you from being cheated by an unscrupulous seller.

The Soviet turntable is an object of nostalgia for school music lessons, but not always a decent device for home playback. No matter how unpleasant it was to admit it, but in the field of audio technologies, domestic developments lagged far behind the world hegemons. There are also quite good Soviet players: "Elektronika B1-01", "Elektronika EP-060", "Elektronika-001". But the prices for these devices are noticeably higher.

When choosing a Soviet player, you should pay attention to the numerical index in the title. If the first digit is 2 or 3, then the device belongs to the second or third class, respectively. Such turntables will suit music lovers who collect old records, but are unlikely to satisfy the needs of an advanced audiophile.

The most important factor when choosing a device is appearance. If the player is badly frayed by time, worn out, and there are cracks and chips on the case, this directly indicates the inappropriate attitude of the former owner to the device.

Do not try your luck: problems may not be limited to cosmetic defects.

Grasp the arm handle where it attaches to the stem and gently move it from side to side. Backlash? Do not take.

When purchasing a Japanese device, pay attention to the plug of the player. If it belongs to type A, then it is quite possible that the device was created for the Japanese market. The voltage in the Japanese electrical network is 100 V, unlike domestic 220 V, so do not forget to purchase a step-down voltage transformer (it is inexpensive).

If there is an opportunity to listen to the turntable before buying, do not miss it. At the same time, ask the seller what accessories are suitable for this device and how difficult it is to get them.

Which players deserve attention?

Turntables for Beginners

Turntables for beginners - anyone who is interested in the subject, but not enough to think about upgrading your home audio system in the next couple of years. There are many such devices, the range of prices among them is small, the characteristics are also similar in general terms. The absence of an adjusting weight in the tonearms and the presence of a built-in phono stage in the players indicates a low class of devices. You should not expect anything supernatural from this class of players, but they will not spoil the records.

Denon DP-29F

The turntable has a die-cast aluminum platter for stable rotation, belt drive, auto-stop function and push-button start. MM cartridge included.

Go to the manufacturer's website →

Sony PS-LX300

The main advantage of Sony's turntable is the presence of a USB interface for recording records to a computer. Also, manufacturers put the presence of a diamond needle, which is less susceptible to wear, among the main advantages.

Go to the manufacturer's website →

Pioneer PL-990

A quality turntable for inexperienced music lovers from the masters of sound from Pioneer.

Mid-range players

More solid devices for those who decided to take vinyl seriously. The category also includes used devices, the prices of which can vary greatly.

Dual CS-440

High quality belt-driven turntable from German manufacturer Dual. The lightweight platter provides the mobility of the device, and the minimal tonearm settings make the device a good choice for both beginners and amateurs.

Go to the manufacturer's website →

Pioneer PLX-500

One of the clones of famous DJ models from Technics. This model differs from previous turntables not only with a direct drive, but also with the ability to play records at a speed of 78 rpm. The cover is not included in the basic package.

Technics turntables (SL-series)

The price of representatives of this range of players varies greatly in the used market. By opting for vintage Technics, you are guaranteed high build and component quality: Many of Technics' turntables have a lifetime warranty on their motors. Most of these models became popular among DJs and spawned many clones. They do not have a built-in phono stage. Special attention should be paid to such players as Technics SL-1100, Technics SL-1200, Technics SL-1600, Technics SL-2000 and their modifications.

Micro Seiki DD-7

Music lovers with experience speak in awe of the Japanese firm Micro. The reason is not only a decent Japanese build quality, but also an ideal price-performance ratio, which puts Micro devices on a par with much more expensive turntables. The DD-7 is an excellent Micro Seiki with an attractive price tag in the used market.

JVC Victor (QL line)

Another range of Japanese vintage direct drive turntables. Some QL models have automatic control, which is not only an advantage, but also a disadvantage. The more automatic mechanisms on board the device, the more elements that can break.

Is it worth it?

It is impossible to fit in one article all the nuances that should be taken into account when buying and setting up an audio system for listening to vinyl. Get ready that in the process of using the player you will have new and new questions, and the information that you have to study will be typed on a weighty book volume.

Vinyl is a hobby that requires involvement in the process, tangible investments and the lion's share of free time.

More than a dozen thousand rubles will be spent only on the purchase of the necessary technical equipment, the price of servicing vinyl players is also high (if you do not own a high-quality device that does not need repair). Note that we have not even touched on the cost of the records themselves.

Despite all the disadvantages of this hobby, the answer to the question "Is it worth it?" - definitely worth it. Passion for vinyl will return the value of music to you, give you incomparable sensations and give you an additional meaning of existence. With one caveat: if this hobby really suits you.