Record Player Buying Guides

What’s the point of buying expensive vinyl records and an even more expensive turntable, if you listen to them through weak speakers? There is no point. That’s why we always recommend getting a great pair of speakers, even if your record player has speakers built-in (those are always terrible). And the best speakers for vinyl […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

Everyone will comment on it. If you’ve ever seen a modern vertical record player, you’ll understand why. They look cool and futuristic. Even the ones with a retro design look like something from a later time. The vinyl record looks like it is floating in the air as it spins beneath the tonearm and the […]

There are a ton of affordable record players on the market these days. The problem is: most of them are no good. And telling the difference between a cheap turntable that still performs as it should, and one that is basically useless, can be quite difficult. And useless players are not even the worst case […]

Is it worth paying extra to get one of the best record players with speakers built in? Generally, yes. But it really depends what you’re looking for. To get the best sound quality, you need to use external speakers. And all of the models below allow you to connect out to speakers or a receiver. […]

So you’ve got a record player. Now where do you put it? On a record player stand, of course! But there’s a problem. A quick search reveals hundreds of options. Which ones are good and which ones are worthless? More importantly, which one among the hundreds is the perfect stand for you? Determining that will […]

Old school turntables look great, but the technology contained inside is unfortunately dated. Newer models have upgraded tech, but they just don’t have the same aesthetic appeal? Is there any way to get the best of both worlds? Yes! The best vintage record players now come with all of the most modern features and technology. […]