Turntable Buying Guide
Find the best turntable for you and experience the magic of vintage!
Are you nostalgic for the old days and do you like to enjoy everything in its authentic form? Then you will surely love listening to music on a turntable!
Come and see their main features and what you should pay attention to before buying.
1. Type of Turntable
Start by choosing the type of turntable, depending on how the arm is positioned!
Automatic: Requires less intervention, as the arm is automatically placed and returned to its position.
Manual: With a manual turntable, you will need to place and remove the arm yourself. This is usually preferred by vinyl enthusiasts, as it offers the authentic experience of a turntable.
2. Rotational Speed
There are different vinyl playback speeds. The standard ones are 33 1/3 and 45 RPM. Some turntables also support 78 RPM for older records.
Want to learn what makes each one different?
33 ⅓ RPM: This speed is mainly used for records that usually contain more minutes of music (typically 20-30 minutes per side).
45 RPM: This mainly refers to smaller records (singles), which contain one or two songs per side.
78 RPM: This is older technology and was used on older records from the early 20th century until about the 1950s.
3. Speakers
The speakers in a turntable are speakers that are built in directly into the turntable and do not require external speakers in order for you to hear the sound of the music. Built-in speakers are ideal for those who want a simple and self-contained music playback solution.
If you decide to buy a turntable with built-in speakers, you should examine the quality and power of the speakers. Also, check whether the turntable provides connection options for external speakers, in case you decide to upgrade the sound in the future.
4. Preamp (Pre Amp)
The built-in preamp in a turntable is a feature that allows the turntable to be connected directly to an audio source, without the need for an external preamplifier. Usually, preamplification refers to boosting the turntable’s signal so it can be played back at the required volume level. Before buying the turntable, check whether it has a built-in preamp, especially if you want to connect it to an audio source that does not have a built-in preamplifier.
5. Connectivity Bluetooth
The Bluetooth technology in a turntable is used to enable wireless playback of music from compatible devices. This means that you can connect the turntable to a speaker, headphones, or another Bluetooth-enabled device and listen to music wirelessly, without the need for connecting cables. By using Bluetooth technology, you can connect the turntable to your smartphone, tablet, or another compatible device and play your music from these devices wirelessly.
USB: The USB Media Player in a turntable is used to play music from portable USB storage devices, such as USB flash drives or external hard drives.
Don't forget that there can often be a difference in a product based on its overall characteristics as well as its construction. Before you decide, read the reviews of other users to see their opinions and compare them with the use you want to make!
You can also take a look at the guide to the best turntables, where you will find the best options based on user feedback, depending on the use you will make of them and the budget you have available.
Be the first to leave a comment!