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If you're buying a turntable, you'll need to pick up an amplifier and speakers separately. Some turntables have a built-in pre-amp, but some don't, so you may need to add one to your list. This can inflate the cost of your first vinyl player, so be sure to plan ahead. Try to get products in the same price range. An expensive set of speakers won't redeem a poorly constructed amp.
There are many reasons to go out and buy a turntable or record player. These include:
Record players and turntables can't offer everything. The drawbacks to these music players are:
Turntable prices start at around $70 and can reach over $1,000. When buying a turntable or record player, the cost is often reflective of sound quality. You'll also want to consider:
There are three main speed settings for vinyl players. 33 1/3rpm is the most common playback speed for 12-inch vinyl – you need it on your turntable or record player. 45rpm is the speed for 7-inch records – you need this too. 78rpm is the speed for shellac records and is far more uncommon as not many 78rpm records were ever produced. Be sure that the vinyl player you buy can play the records in your collection.
Damping is the process of reducing vibrations. Too much vibration in your turntable or record player can impact sound quality. There are many design tricks that can incorporate damping technology, including damped cueing (slowing the lowering of the tonearm). The number of feet on a record player also serves as a form of damping. The more feet on your machine, the more stable it will be and the less it will vibrate.
The cartridge that comes with your turntable or record player is going to be appropriate for that machine. Moving magnet (MM) cartridges are a step up from cheaper ceramic options and do a good job. If you've purchased a high-end vinyl player, you may want to invest in a moving coil (MC) cartridge, but these can be hard to find.
This references the way the stylus is placed on the record. Automatic systems will do it for you at the push of a button, whereas manual systems require you to do it yourself. Most high-end turntables and record players are actually manual. Placing the stylus on the record is not a hard thing to do.
The larger the platter, the more stable the base for your record. The material of your platter tends to be a matter of preference, but sturdier materials age more gracefully. Platter mats can help with damping and ensure that the undersides of your records don't get scratched. Some machines have these built-in, while some offer them as purchasable accessories. They are generally worthwhile.
There are two types of drive: direct and belt. The type of drive you select is a matter of preference. Direct drives provide greater accuracy of speed, while belt drives are said to cause less sound interference.
Some machines are Bluetooth compatible or have auxiliary inputs that allow you to connect other devices.
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