The best record players allow you to enjoy your vinyl records the way they were meant to be enjoyed. Top record players coax a unique sound out of your record collection that brings back memories of a bygone era. Unlike old-fashioned players, the best modern turntables come with a number of additional features. For example, […]
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Other Buying Guides
Best Phono Preamp Under $500 (And Why Spending More Is Not Better)
Before you buy a phono preamp, make sure you even need one. Many modern record players have built-in preamps. As do many receivers. Of course, you might be looking to upgrade from the built-in models to something a little more capable. If neither your turntable nor your receiver has a quality preamp, then this makes […]
Best Portable Record Players (Reviews And Comparison Of Suitcase Turntables)
You’ll notice two things when you look at the best portable record players listed below. They are all suitcase style players and they all cost very little. Are there other portable turntables, besides the suitcase style models? Yes, but they are not specifically designed to be portable (we list a few toward the end of […]
Best Headphones For Vinyl (Buyer’s Guide And Reviews)
Nothing beats the sound of vinyl through a pair of high quality speakers. But sometimes, that is not an option. Maybe it’s late and your family or neighbors are sleeping. Or maybe the people around you simply can’t be disturbed at that moment. Luckily, this does not mean you can’t enjoy your music at all. […]
Record Player For Sampling: Best Turntables To Sample Vinyl
If you want to sample from vinyl records, you need a special turntable, right? No, not really. Any record player can be used for sampling, but some have certain features that make doing so easier. The primary such feature is a USB port, because it makes it possible to sample directly from vinyl to your […]
Record Player Tips & Advice
Why Is My Record Player So Quiet? (And How To Fix It)
Let’s start with the obvious. Turn up the volume! Just kidding, I know you already tried that. The truth is: there are a number of things that can cause a record player to be too quiet. But there is one reason that is by far the most common. And it has to do with the […]
Why Are Vinyl Records So Expensive? (And Will It Ever Change?)
Over the past 10 years, prices for vinyl records have been steadily increasing. Well, they were steadily increasing. Until last year. Since the start of the pandemic, prices have actually shot up drastically. Buying a vinyl record now costs much more than it did just two years ago. What is the reason for this? Vinyl […]
Victrola Vs Crosley Record Player (Which Is Best For You?)
Victrola and Crosley are both entry-level brands. They make low cost record players that work well, but they won’t blow anyone away with their quality. They don’t sound amazing and they generally only have basic features. But they’re a good value. So which brand is better? To be honest: they’re very close. In the end, […]
Record Player Needle Sliding (Causes & How to Fix It)
If you play enough records, it will happen eventually. The tonearm suddenly slips out of the groove while the record is playing. It skates across the surface of the record and potentially leaves behind a vicious scratch. Why does a turntable stylus suddenly slip out of the groove and skate across the surface? Keep reading […]
Jensen Vs Crosley Turntable (Which Is Best For You?)
Both Jensen and Crosley are known for entry-level turntables. That means low prices, but also some quality issues. Their turntables generally work well, but the sound quality is lacking. As long as you are aware of that, their record players offer good value. But which one is better? That’s impossible to answer. They are pretty […]
How To Play USB Turntable Through Computer Speakers
Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat. Playing a USB turntable through computer speakers is far from ideal. Those tiny speakers are never going to give you the sound quality you want. But sometimes, they might be your only option. Or perhaps you have some other reason to play your music though them, […]
How Much Music Can A Vinyl Record Hold?
Some vinyl records seem ridiculously short. In some cases, an album is even broken up over two separate vinyl discs. But then there are other albums on a single record that are actually longer. What gives? Why does the amount of music on a vinyl record vary so drastically? It turns out there is a […]
Do I Need A Preamp If My Receiver Has A Phono Input?
Some receivers have built-in phono preamps. The same goes for some record players. Is it a problem if both have preamps? Do you use them both? Or do you not use either and get an external preamp instead? The best answers to these questions depend on a few things. Keep reading to get the answers […]
Do Crosley Turntables Ruin Records?
Crosley turntables have a bit of a reputation. And it’s not a good one. They make low cost record players that are quite popular with first-time buyers on a budget. As usual, you get what you pay for. But do Crosley turntables really ruin records? Or is that just an exaggeration. The truth is: they […]
Belt Drive Vs Direct Drive Turntable (Which Is Best For You?)
You only have two options. It should not be that hard to choose. But both belt drive and direct drive turntables have distinct advantages. That makes it a bit more difficult to decide on one over the other. The good news is that there is a definite favorite. But it depends on how you plan […]