HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TURNTABLE MADE SIMPLE

Vinyl is expensive, requires significant upkeep, takes up space, and demands time. Yet vinyl sales are at an all-time high, and more and more artists are releasing albums on these discs. Turntables have made quite the comeback, and it’s no longer considered to be “behind the times” to own one (or two or three).

Each one brings something unique to the table (pardon the pun), and what’s best for one person may not be best for another. But where to start? Which turntable is right to buy? No matter where you are in your vinyl journey, this guide will help you make a confident turntable purchase.

 Let’s dive into the five factors to keep in mind when shopping for turntables!

WHAT IS A TURNTABLE?

But first...what actually is a turntable?

A turntable is a component that spins records at a steady pace, allowing a stylus (needle) to track the grooves and pick up sound. Turntables don’t actually have built-in speakers, unlike record players, which do have internal speakers and an amp.

And while all of them do the same job, not all turntables are equal. They each have different features, build quality, materials, and specifications. These differences shape how your music plays and sounds, which is why it’s important to consider what you want before you buy.

1. BUDGET

First and foremost, what you need to consider when choosing a turntable is your budget. The price ranges for these components differ quite a bit. You can break them down into three categories:

Entry-Level (Below $400)

Most models in this range will be your basic turntable. They feature aluminum platters and tonearms, standard cartridges, light-weight plinths, and automatic operation (more on this below). These turntables sometimes include built-in preamps and wireless (Bluetooth) connection. They’re an excellent starting point for anyone new to the world of vinyl.

Mid-Level ($400 to $800)

At this price point, you’ll start seeing models with higher-quality materials like carbon-fiber tonearms and steel or acrylic platters. These are also more likely to have manual operation, better cartridges, and heavier plinths (which reduce extraneous vibration and result in better sound quality). These are great if you’re looking to upgrade your entry-level table or if you have the money to invest in a mid-tier beginner’s table.

High-Level (Above $800)

These models are the best of the best and are made with the precise engineering and the premium materials you expect throughout the wiring, chassis, and tonearm. You generally don’t find turntables at this level with built-in preamps or Bluetooth because these audiophile-level components are designed to be wired to external gear.

2. BELT DRIVE VS DIRECT DRIVE

When considering what’s under the hood, you can break turntables down into two main classifications. The difference comes down to how the motor connects to the platter. In other words, how the platter spins.

Belt-Drive

This refers to turntables that spin using a belt. The motor is offset from the platter, and it’s connected using a rubber belt attached to a motor pulley. The belt acts like a shock absorber, which dissipates the motor’s vibrations, allowing a natural, clear sound.

The largest argument in favor of belt drives generally regards their sound. It’s not necessarily better quality, but these turntables do have an innate edge in reducing vibration and noise thanks to their elastic belt; this rubber belt absorbs unwanted vibrations, offering a certain purity of audio. For many, this creates a more authentic sound, resulting in an emotional experience that makes you feel closer to your vinyl.

Belt-drive turntables also tend to offer a smoother, gentler ride for your records. With features like anti-skating, belt drives safeguard your vinyl. This may be a major benefit if you have a larger collection or one that you want to preserve for years to come.

Direct-Drive

This refers to turntables that spin using gears. A direct drive motor is located under the turntable platter, and it’s directly connected to the spindle. Then, when the motor is on, it causes the platter to spin at a stable and consistent speed.

One of the greatest pros of direct drives is the speed stability. The low to no wow and flutter, which ensures stellar audio quality, is a great benefit for many audiophiles. Since the motor and platter are connected, you get a continuously consistent speed and an incredibly stable performance.

With direct-drive turntables, you also get variable pitch control and high torque. While belt drives are more of a ‘slow-and-steady wins the race’ type of machine, direct drives speed up quickly and keep spinning until you tell them to stop. They’re also reliable. You don’t need to worry about replacing the belt after a few years.

3. SPECIFICATIONS

On the outside, turntables largely appear the same. And just looking at a turntable can tell you a lot about it. But open up the manual, and you’ll see a list of numbers on how the turntable actually performs. These numbers look overly technical, but they’re easy to read once you break them down.

Playback Speeds

Most turntables post 1975 have two speeds: 33 ⅓ RPM and 45 RPM. RPM stands for revolutions per minute, the number of times the record spins while playing. Some older turntables and record players also have a setting for 78 RPM. 78s were the standard speed for shellac records during the first half of the 1900s and are rare to stumble upon today. 33 and 45 RPM are pretty standard, but if you do have 78s boxed up in your shed, you need a turntable that can handle them - along with a specialized cartridge that’s equipped to handle their wider “microgrooves.”

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

This describes how much background noise you’ll hear compared to the music. It tells you how quiet a turntable is when music is playing. In other words, the signal-to-noise ratio measures how clean the sound is. A higher number means less background noise, less hiss, and clearer audio. For best results, choose a turntable rated above 65 dB.

Wow and Flutter

This measurement reflects speed accuracy by showing how smoothly and consistently the platter spins. The lower the number, the more stable the rotation and the more natural the music sounds. Ideally, you want a Wow and Flutter rating under 0.25%.

4. OPERATION TYPE

While “dropping the needle” is a common phrase surrounding vinyl, not all turntables actually require you to manually do that. Instead, how you interact with your turntable can be broken down into three categories.

Manual

If the slow, careful ritual of a turntable resounds with you, then manual is the way to go. This type lets you operate the start and end of your record yourself. You manually lift the stylus yourself and lower it into a groove to start the music. Then you lift the tonearm up and off and place it back onto its stand when the side ends or when you’re finished listening. Manual turntables require more time and effort, but they generally offer better sound quality.

Semi-Automatic

This blends the best of both worlds. Semi-automatic is hands-on where it’s fun, but automatic where it matters. You get to cue the tonearm by hand to start the playback manually, but when the record ends, the turntable handles the shutdown. It automatically lifts the arm, returns it to rest, and usually shuts off the motor, protecting your stylus so you don’t have to worry about your needle rattling in the run-off groove until you can get to it.

Fully Automatic

A fully automatic takes care of everything for you, start to finish. With the touch of a button, the tonearm lifts, glides over to the record, and touches down onto a groove. Then when the end of the album is reached, it once again lifts, returns to its stand, and shuts off the platter’s motor. It’s a great option if you need the hands-free convenience of listening to your vinyl in the background while you’re busy doing something else.

5. CONNECTION TYPE

It might sound obvious, but purchasing a turntable based on how it needs to be connected to your system is an easy factor to overlook. Whether you go vintage or modern is largely dependent on how your current setup is set up.

Connecting to an External Amp

Having a dedicated receiver, integrated amp, or preamp/power amp combo is the classic way to go. With an external amplifier, you hook the turntable’s analog output to the home base’s (your amp's) phono input using an RCA audio cable. Your home base is then connected to your external speakers.

This type of setup is a golden standard in the audio community. It sounds fantastic, and having individual, dedicated components via a wired connection gives you the rich analog warmth most vinyl enthusiasts seek. However, it’s more expensive than other options and takes up a lot of space - space that many people just don’t have.

Connecting to Powered Speakers

Powered speakers (speakers with built–in amplifiers and a power plug) are a minimalist turntable setup option. Also called active speakers, they allow you to bypass the traditional stereo speaker system and thus save you both money and space. Some are even made especially for turntable hookup, meaning they have the analog connection and the built-in phono preamp that you need.

Connecting via USB Output

Vinyl lovers crave that unmistakable analog warmth. But some also want to bring it into the digital age - and that’s exactly what modern turntables aim to do. There is a range of different models out there with a USB output, allowing you to easily convert favorite records into digital files. This lets you preserve your collection and enjoy that classic vinyl sound anywhere.

Connecting via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth

Wired options tend to be the go-to for audio enthusiasts. But if you prefer the convenience of wireless, there are turntable options out there for you. Modern tables often include built-in Bluetooth to make it a matter of a single button press to stream your records wirelessly to compatible speakers or headphones. This way, no extra components or messy wires are required.

Some turntables even include Wi-Fi streaming for whole-home flexibility. You can integrate them with Sonos systems or MusicCast for intuitive network control. These modern features make it easy to enjoy vinyl throughout your home, whether you’re listening in one room or syncing music across multiple spaces.

IN SUMMARY

Vinyl isn’t cheap. It takes care, space, and a little patience. And yet, vinyl sales are higher than ever, artists are pressing new releases daily, and turntables are firmly back in the spotlight. What was once considered “old-school” is now a deliberate choice. And a rewarding one.

Thanks for reading! If you’re interested in investing in a turntable to start a vinyl collection of your own, you’re in luck. At SpenCertified, we specialize in vintage audio and video gear, and we have quite the selection of retro turntables to choose from. You can take a look at our collection here. Have a great day!

https://spencertified.com/collections/record-players