A beautiful thing about finding your way into the world of vinyl for the first time is it offers a rediscovering of music. Those albums you’ve always loved – well, here’s another way to listen to them!
We don’t care if it’s corny to say. There’s nothing quite like opening a new record and putting it on the turntable for the first time. If you’re a beginner in the vinyl space, there’s a strong chance your memories of music revolve around streaming tunes, downloading mp3s, or buying CDs (ya know, those tiny, shiny vinyl discs). And when you tap into the world of vinyl, you’ll revisit those memories – flashes of listening to smoking pot and listening to Pink Floyd for the first time in college, or maybe a track you put on a mix CD you burned for your first boyfriend.
Whatever the case, vinyl rocks. We’re biased, of course, but we believe it’s one of the best and purest forms of listening to music. The tactile experience, the subtle nuances of analog sound, and the simple ritual of placing a record on a turntable offers a truly unique charm.
And as a budding vinyl enthusiast, it’s important to start with the right equipment. We’ve already offered a general guide on how to buy a turntable. Here, we focus on beginners.
What Beginners Should Look for in a Record Player
Let’s be honest. Diving into the vinyl world can get expensive fast. But it’s also easy to find a great setup without spending a fortune. For newcomers, take these three variables into consideration:
- Budget: Quality doesn’t always equate to high cost. There are a number of turntables on the market that offer excellent value for the money. But be mindful that while super cheap options might be tempting, they often compromise sound quality (or, even worse, can damage your records). Set a reasonable budget and seek the best within that range.
- Usability: A turntable that requires a PhD to operate might dampen your initial enthusiasm. Look for models known for their straightforward setup and operation. As a beginner, you’ll appreciate features like automatic start and stop or easy speed change mechanisms.
- Durability: Your first turntable shouldn’t necessarily be your last. But investing in a model that’s built to last will not only provide years of enjoyment but can also handle potential upgrades like better cartridges or styluses is important as your audiophile knowledge grows.
Mistakes to Avoid as a Vinyl Newbie
The world of vinyl can be overwhelming, so it’s also important to keep some basic things in mind so you don’t get yourself in a tricky situation.
- Use Caution: Tempting as they might seem, steer clear of any deals that appear too good to be true. Often, they are. (And this is a good rule to apply to life in general.)
- Think Beyond the Turntable: Remember, the turntable isn’t everything. Don’t underestimate quality supporting equipment. A high-quality turntable paired with subpar speakers will always sound like garbage. Consider the entire sound system when budgeting. Or, in other words, don’t put a lawn mower engine in a Ferrari.
- Layout Matters: Acoustics play a significant role in your listening experience. Before setting everything up, think about your room’s layout and how it might affect sound quality. (Here’s a helpful guide for what to think about when setting up your speakers.)
A Quick Guide to Turntable Brands by Tier:
| Tier | Brand Name |
|---|---|
| Please, For the Love of God, Do Not Buy | Crosley, Victrola |
| Beginner: Reliable | Audio-Technica, U-Turn |
| Level Up: Mid-Range | Fluance, Pro-Ject, NAD |
| What’s a Budget?: High-End | Rega, Mofi, Marantz, McIntosh, VPI |
Top Beginner Turntables to Consider
Alright, now let’s get to the good part. What is the best record player for beginners? Here, we offer some different options, depending on your budget and goals for sound.
Best Overall: Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT
A fusion of value and performance, the Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT is a standard for beginner turntables. With its fully automatic belt-drive mechanism, newbs will appreciate the sheer ease of use. Not to mention that the anti-skate control ensures a smooth playback. And the Bluetooth element makes it easy to pair with speakers you already might have sitting in your house. At about $300 depending on where you buy it, this is a great starter record player that will offer you an excellent listening experience for years to come.
- High-fidelity audio with Bluetooth wireless technology.
- Connects wirelessly to speakers and other devices equipped with Bluetooth wireless technology or to wired audio systems and powered speakers via included dual RCA output cable
- Compatible with aptX codec
- Fully automatic operation with two speeds 33-1/3 and 45 RPM
- Anti-resonance die-cast aluminum platter
Best Overall Turntable Sound System: Fluance RT81 Paired with Ai61
Fluance is a Canadian company that’s made their mark on the audio world over the last couple of decades. The RT81 is a great place for any vinyl beginner, as it delivers exceptional clarity with a solid wood construction. It’s the kind of record table that will last. Plus, if you want to go for the whole shebang, you can easily pair it with the Fluance Ai61 speakers, which are simple and offer a delicate room-filling sound. Together, they work nicely together to create an immersive audio experience. Going for the whole setup might be on the upper part of your budget ($300 for the record player, and about $300 for the speakers), but you’ll be investing in a setup that could last for many years.
- PURE ANALOG LISTENING EXPERIENCE - Premium components allow this high fidelity belt driven turntable to recreate the performance the way the artist intended
- HIGH PERFORMANCE CARTRIDGE - The Audio Technica AT95E featuring a diamond elliptical tipped stylus is designed to track your record grooves with greater precision & accuracy for high definition audio
- SUPERIOR RECORD TRACKING - Enjoy perfect playback using the balanced aluminum S-Type tonearm ensuring the stylus is rested deep in your record's groove, producing every audio detail indistinguishable from the original recording
- HIGH MASS MDF WOOD PLINTH - The beautiful walnut finished cabinet is crafted from solid engineered (MDF) wood, incorporates isolation feet, an aluminum platter and a rubber platter mat which results in superior isolation from unwanted vibrations
- CAPTIVATING SIGNAL CLARITY - Incorporating a high quality built-in Texas Instruments preamp, ground terminal and gold plated RCA line outputs that ensures warm, true sound
- RAW POWER MEETS SUBLIME SOUND - With an integrated 120W amplifier, these active speakers deliver a true stereo sound with refined detail and powerful room-filling stereo sound that elevates your musical experience
- PREMIUM NEODYMIUM TWEETERS - High-performance tweeters produce an immersive stereo soundstage while providing spacious off axis dispersion allowing you to hear beautifully expressed highs
- RICH AND NATURAL MIDRANGE - Light and rigid 6.5-inch woven glass fiber drivers produce detailed midrange frequencies and clean undistorted deep bass with stunning acoustic accuracy
- PRECISION-CRAFTED WOOD CABINETS - Enjoy warm sound from the internally braced MDF wood cabinets, meticulously engineered to remove unwanted resonances with a rear bass port for full, deep and natural bass
- ULTIMATE MUSIC CONNECTIVITY - Easily connect to your audio source through RCA, Optical and USB Type-C inputs or Bluetooth 5 for wireless streaming without the need for a separate amplifier or receiver, and add more bass with the subwoofer out
Best Minimalist Design with a Bigger Budget: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo
If your aesthetic leans more sleek and sophisticated (and you can afford something a bit more high end), Pro-Ject’s Debut Carbon Evo is the record player for you. It takes a minimalist design that still offers a superb sound quality. Its carbon tonearm and heavy steel platter ensure an accurate playback. The perfect choice for those newbie audiophiles who prefer understated elegance without compromising on performance. You’ll be spending about $600 on the record player alone, though, so be prepared.
- Nominal speeds: 33/45 r.p.m.
- Effective tonearm mass: 6g
- Effective tonearm length: 8.6" ( 218.5 mm)
- Signal to noise: 68dB
- Dimensions (WHD): 16.3" x 4.6" x 12.6"
Best All-in-One (for a Great Price): ION Luxe LP
If you just want to go for vibes and not worry about a speaker setup in addition to a record player (or maybe you have limited space), the ION Audio Premier LP is a great option. The built-in speakers not only offer decent sound, but the whole vibe looks pretty slick. It’s a great little system that can sit in the corner of your living room, bedroom, kitchen, or somewhere else. An easy way to enjoy the vinyl experience with not much fuss. Plus, at about 100 bucks, it doesn’t cost too much.
Talk to an Older Family Member or Go to Your Local Record Shop and Ask About Vintage Record Players
licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Remember, record players have been around for quite some time. There’s a chance you’ve got an aunt or an uncle with an old record player they haven’t touched in years. Or if that doesn’t work, head to a record store near you and talk to the clerk. In addition to selling vinyl, lots of record stores have vintage record players for sale that have been refurbished. You might find a diamond in the rough – plus, you’ll have a great conversation with a fellow music enthusiast.
Setting Up Your First Turntable: Quick Tips
Now that you’ve got your turntable figured out, here are a few things to keep in mind as you set it up. Remember, the turntable is only one piece of the puzzle.
- Placement: Ensure our turntable is on a stable, flat surface. That might sound obvious, but it’s a common mistake. And if possible, avoid placing it on the same surface as your speakers to prevent unwanted vibrations.
- Maintenance: Clean your records and stylus regularly. Dust and grime can affect sound quality and reduce the lifespan of your equipment. We recommend TK and TK.
- Sound System: Unless you’ve opted for an all-in-one option, you’ll need to think about speakers and potentially a receiver.
The Best Beginner Record Player Is the Start of a Long, Beautiful Friendship
The vinyl experience is a lifelong journey – and you’ve gotta start somewhere. Embarking on it is rewarding and can take your love of music to a different level. The right turntable can help you find new loves and rediscover old flames,
In other words, welcome to the world of vinyl. It’s a big one, and it’s full of life. We hope you like your stay.
