All right! So you’ve been into this vinyl thing for awhile now. Maybe you started with one of the entry level turntables we recommend, or maybe you found one in your grandma’s basement. Whatever the case, you’ve discovered that you love to spin records – and now you want them to sound better.
Welcome to the club. Let’s talk about what to do next, you little vinyl freak, you.
What Upgrading Your Turntable Does for Your Sound
Upgrading your turntable is an opportunity to leap into a new level of sonic bliss. Yeah, sure, sonic bliss might sound a little hokey – but once you fire it up, you’ll see what we mean. Think of it as swapping out an old TV for a sleek 4K model. Suddenly, the details pop. Every record tells a story, and with a better turntable, you’re not just hearing the story, you’re living it.
Let’s break it down:
- Sharper Clarity, Deeper Sound: Think of your favorite song or album – and imagine if that sounded better. Too good to be true? Nah. An upgraded turntable is quite literally the cherry on top of a sundae.
- Less Noise, More Music: Say goodbye to annoying background hiss. With a better turntable, you’ll tap the pure vinyl sound.
- Precision Plays: Ever notice how some tracks can just sound a little off? An upgraded turntable presents every beat and melody as intended.
Upgrading a turntable isn’t about showing off a shiny new piece of gear (although, let’s be honest, that’s fun). It’s about respect – for the music, the artists, and the rich, immersive experience that vinyl can deliver.
How to Upgrade Right: Do’s and Don’ts
All of this sounds good in theory, but how do you properly upgrade your turntable setup? Here’s a little cheat sheet to make sure your turntable upgrade hits all the right notes.
Do’s:
- Do Research: Dive deep into reviews, forums, and spec sheets. (Like this article!) Knowledge is power, and in the turntable world, it’s also sound.
- Do Listen Before Buying: If possible, test drive your potential turntable at the store. Like a good pair of shoes, it needs to feel right.
- Do Consider the Entire System: A turntable is only one piece of the overall system. Make sure your speakers, amp, and other components are quality.
- Do Think About the Future: Pick gear that can grow with you. Look for upgradeable parts and compatibility with other equipment. The right choice of an intermediate turntable can last you a long time.
Don’ts:
- Don’t Impulse Buy: That flash sale might be tempting, but don’t rush this one. Avoid buyer’s remorse.
- Don’t Skimp on Quality: Cheap can be expensive in the long run. Invest in quality that lasts and sounds fantastic.
- Don’t Ignore Room Acoustic: Your room is a huge consideration for the quality of sound. Treat it right with proper setup and maybe even some acoustic treatment.
- Don’t Forget the Records: All this gear is in service of the music. Splurge on a few high-quality pressings to hear what your setup can really do.
Top Intermediate Turntables to Consider
Remember, upgrading your turntable is a careful process. Take the right steps and it’ll be a rewarding one. Let’s talk about some good options for you to consider.
Best Overall: Rega Planar 3 Turntable
The Rega Planar 3 turntable is an iconic piece in the audiophile world – renowned for its excellent sound quality and value for money. It’s a product of Rega’s continuous refinement over the years, embodying precision engineering and high quality performance. It delivers a performance that rivals much more expensive turntables.
At about $1395, it’s a little pricey, but you’re getting something that can last you a lifetime. Here are some key features of the Rega Planar 3 turntable.
- RB330 Tonearm: A significant upgrade from its predecessors, the RB330 tonearm is designed for minimal friction with its custom bearings, ensuring accurate tracking and reduced distortion.
- Glass Platter: The Planar 3 features a high-mass, optiwhite polished glass platter that contributes to its excellent speed stability and precision.
- Low-Noise Motor: The turntable’s 24v low noise, low vibration motor ensures that the mechanical noise does not interfere with the music.
- Elegance and Simplicity: With its sleek, minimalist design, the Planar 3 doesn’t just sound great; it looks the part too. The turntable is available in a variety of finishes, allowing it to fit seamlessly into any home audio setup.
- Plug and Play: Despite its high-end features, the Planar 3 remains relatively easy to set up, making it accessible not only to seasoned audiophiles but also to those new to vinyl.
- Upgrade Ability: Rega designed the Planar 3 with future upgrades in mind. Owners can enhance their turntable in a variety of ways.
Best Bang for Your Buck: Audio-Technica AT-LP7
The Audio-Technica AT-LP7 is a fully manual, belt-driven turntable that is the best of what Audio-Technica can offer. But with a price of $999, it’s very affordable compared to other high end turntables. It’s designed to cater to audiophiles without breaking the bank. The sleek and modern design features a thick black plinth, round black feet, a black J-shaped tonearm, and a black platter. It’s complemented by a tinted blackish gray dust cover – which is both attractive and functional. There is no faux-wood trim. It’s a really sharp piece of audio equipment.
Here are some of the key features of the Audio-Technica AT-LP7.
- Fully Manual Operation: Note that the AT-LP7 is a hand-on turntable, requiring manual interaction for starting, stopping, and tonearm placement.
- J-Shaped Tonearm with AT-HS10 Headshell: The design of the tonearm is inspired by classic models, ensuring minimal tracking error and reduced distortion for a pure audio experience.
- VM520EB Dual Moving Magnet Stereo Cartridge: Pre-mounted for convenience, this cartridge is known for its excellent sound reproduction.
- Bypassable Phono Pre-amplifier: With selectable modes for both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, the built-in phono pre-amplifier offers flexibility for various audio setups.
- Detachable Dust Cover: While providing protection for the turntable, the dust cover is detachable, allowing users to choose their aesthetic preference
- Fully manual Belt-drive operation with two speeds 33-1/3 and 45 RPM
- Motor features a speed-sensor system to maintain accurate platter rotation speed
- VM520EB Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge provides outstanding channel separation and extended frequency response and allows for easy replacement with any VM stylus
- J-shaped tone arm features a metallic gimbal Suspension system and precision bearings for excellent tracking
- Includes dual RCA (Male) to dual RCA (Male) stereo cable 45 RPM adapter and dust cover
Most Stylish: U-Turn Orbit Theory
The U-Turn Orbit Theory turntable combines sharp design and precise engineering. Priced at $999, it’s a significant purchase – but one that will fit nicely into any sort of setup. The thoughtful design feels refined without too static. It’s a premium device aimed with high enough quality for the most experienced audiophiles, but not overwhelming for enthusiasts looking to level up. And boy, oh boy, is it beautiful. Seriously. Just look at the thing. Can’t you see that sitting in your living room? We can hear the oohs and ahhs from here.
Here are some key features of the U-Turn Orbit Theory.
- OA2 Gimbal Bearing Tonearm: For precise tracking and reduced resonance.
- Frosted Acrylic Platter: Ensures stable playback with minimal vibration.
- Electronic Speed Control: Easy transition between 33/45 RPM.
- Real Hardwood Plinth: Elegantly finished for a sleek look.
- Manual Operation: Engages users in the vinyl playback experience.
- Designed for Easy Cartridge Swapping: Offers flexibility for audiophiles to customize their setup.
- Built-in phono preamp features Pluto 2 technology that lets you connect to your favorite components with low-noise circuitry
- Orbit Arm 3 Pro Tonearm is molded from magnesium which is 33% lighter and has 10x the dampening capacity of aluminum
- The grooved acrylic platter is precision machined for ultimate flatness and virtually zero runout
- Ultra-quiet AC synchronous motor with advanced controller results in minimal wow & flutter
- Solid hardwood plinth has adjustable-height aluminum feet with Sorbothane for vibration damping
Oh, You Fancy (But Still Affordable): Pro-Ject Debut Pro
The Pro-Ject Debut Pro turntable is a high-quality build with the audio performance to match. Designed for those who appreciate both style and substance, the turntable features a precision-engineered platter, sophisticated tonearm, and premium cartridge for exceptional sound clarity. Its sleek design is, well, very slick. This baby is more than a turntable. It’s a statement piece. If you’re looking to turn some heads and deliver quality sound, the Debut Pro might be perfect for you. Pretty good for a price tag of $1099.
Here are some key features of the Pro-Ject Debut Pro.
- Precision-Engineered Platter: Ensures stable rotation and reduced vibration for clearer sound.
- High-Quality Cartridge: For exceptional audio clarity and detail retrieval.
- Sophisticated Tonearm: Designed for accurate tracking and minimal distortion.
- Heavy, Low-Resonance Chassis: Reduces unwanted vibrations, enhancing sound purity.
- Electronic Speed Control: Allows for precise playback speed adjustments.
- The best Debut yet… ∙ 8
- 6″ carbon-wrapped aluminum tonearm ∙ Adjustable arm height (VTA) ∙ Nickel-plated aluminum bearing block ∙ Electronic speed changer & stabilizer ∙ Adjustable TPE-damped isolation feet ∙ Satin finish & brushed aluminum trimmings ∙ Sumiko Rainier MM phono cartridge ∙ Note: PRO record puck available separately
The Coolest: Find a Local Dealer and Buy a Refurbished Record Player
We’ve outlined some excellent turntables above, and if you go with any of them to level up your listening, we know you won’t be disappointed. But another fun direction to head is to find a record shop in your city that sells refurbished audio equipment.
Head there, talk to the staff, and see what they think. They might have an old Pioneer they recently refurbished that sounds better than everything we’ve listed in this article. Plus? It’s cooler. Old shit rocks. Classic cars. Classic jackets. Classic looks. Classic you.
Level Up for a Lifetime of Listening
Well, what are you waiting for? You’re here to turn your living room listening experience into something that doesn’t sound like a chainsaw. We love that for you. Obviously, we believe that the right listening setup can be transformative. You’ll listen to music you’ve heard a million times – and somehow hear something new. It’s a beautiful thing.
Good luck. We’re rooting for you.
