Rediscovering Records: The Best Turntables for Enjoying Your Vinyl Collection
There is a unique magic to vinyl. It isn’t just about the music, it’s about the ritual. Sliding the record out of the sleeve, the tactile drop of the needle, and that warm, rich sound filling the room. It creates a tactile, hands-on moment that serves as a lovely change of pace from the instant convenience of streaming..
But with so many record player options, where do you start? Our experts are here to guide you in finding the best turntable that suits your lifestyle and budget.
Why Choose Vinyl?
In a world of instant playlists, vinyl invites you to slow down, as it demands your attention. It rewards you with a depth of sound and a physical connection to the artist that you just don’t necessarily get from a smartphone screen.
We’re seeing more people than ever looking for turntables for vinyl records, and the technology has never been better. Modern decks are easier to set up and often come packed with features like Bluetooth to fit seamlessly into a modern home.
Sharp RPTT100
How Does a Turntable Actually Work?
It might look like magic, but it’s actually a beautiful bit of engineering. Understanding the basics helps you see exactly where your money goes when you buy a quality deck.
Here is the journey from plastic disc to music:
- The Spin: The motor spins the platter at a precise, constant speed (usually 33 1/3 or 45 RPM). Stability here is key to pitch-perfect sound.
- The Groove: Your record has a single spiral groove packed with microscopic bumps and ridges. These bumps are actually the physical shape of the sound waves.
- The Pickup: The stylus (needle) rides inside this groove. As it hits those microscopic bumps, it vibrates.
- The Signal: These vibrations travel up into the cartridge. Inside, tiny magnets and coils turn that physical movement into a small electrical signal.
- The Boost: That signal is very quiet. It travels to a Phono Stage (pre-amp), which boosts the gain for louder volume, making it ready for your speakers to play.
What to Look For in a Record Player
Before we jump into our top picks, let’s look at the basics. This will help you choose a good, affordable turntable that doesn’t compromise on quality.
- Phono Stage (Pre-amp): The signal from a turntable is quiet. It needs a boost. Many good, inexpensive turntable models have this built in, meaning you can plug them straight into active speakers or an amplifier without a built-in phono stage..
- Automatic vs. Manual: An automatic turntable plays the record at the touch of a button – perfect for beginners. It also prevents the stylus ‘bounce’ at the end of the record. Manual decks require you to place the needle yourself. Purists often prefer these for better sound quality.
- Drive Type: Most Hi-fi turntables are ‘belt-drive’, favoured by DJs for their quick start/stop response. This helps isolate the motor noise from the music.
Denon DP300
Best Beginner Turntable: Start Spinning Immediately
For music players new to spinning records, we have you covered with the best beginner turntables that take the hassle out of setup. You don’t want to fiddle with counterweights; you just want to listen.
For a good, affordable turntable that sounds fantastic straight out of the box, we often recommend looking at fully automatic models from brands like the Sony PSLX310BT or Audio-Technica LP60XUSB. Our experts cite these as the best turntable player options for beginners because they are truly ‘plug-and-play’. They typically come with built-in pre-amps and fully automatic arms, meaning you can start listening straight away without needing to master complex setups or buy extra boxes.
The Modern Twist: Best Bluetooth Turntable
Love vinyl but hate wires? A Bluetooth turntable is your perfect match, as these decks send the audio wirelessly to your Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
This is a brilliant solution if your turntable needs to sit on one side of the room and your speakers on the other. It keeps your living space tidy while preserving the character of the music. We suggest looking at the Pro-Ject T1 EVO BT, a model that perfectly bridges the gap between old-school cool and modern convenience. It offers Bluetooth freedom, but the built-in phono stage also allows you to wire the deck to any hi-fi system with an ‘AUX’ input. It’s our top-recommended turntable for every type of music lover.
Pro-Ject T1 EVO BT
The Connected Home: Best Turntable for Sonos
We know many of you love your Sonos systems. The good news is you don’t have to choose between vinyl and multi-room audio.
If you are looking for a turntable that connects to Sonos, you have a few easy options:
- Wired: If your Sonos speaker (like the Sonos Five) has a line-in port, you can plug a turntable with a built-in pre-amp directly into it.
- Wireless: Using a Sonos Port or Amp, you can stream your vinyl audio to every Sonos speaker in your house.
- Dedicated: Some modern turntables, like the Victrola Stream Carbon, are designed specifically to work seamlessly with Sonos right out of the box.
This setup gives you the best turntable for Sonos integration. You can spin a record in the lounge and hear it in the kitchen.
Top Budget Turntables
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a quality turntable. Our experts have rounded up their top budget turntables, which focus on essential engineering, putting every penny into the motor, tonearm, and bearing to deliver the best possible audio.
We highly recommend the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB for its robust build and versatility, or the Argon Audio TT MK2 for its compact design for ease of use to showcase award-winning sound. These are widely considered two of the best reasonably priced turntable options on the market, offering a level of detail and warmth that rivals much more expensive decks.
Argon Audio TT MK2
Richer Sounds Expert Tips: Get the Best From Your Vinyl
Getting the gear is just the start. Here are a few insider tips from our team to help you get that perfect sound.
Solid Ground
Vinyl relies on delicate vibrations to create sound. If your turntable shakes, the sound suffers. At a minimum, place your deck on a sturdy, level surface – ideally not on the same shelf as your speakers to avoid feedback loops!
However, for the ultimate performance, our experts recommend a separate wall bracket as the ideal solution. It completely isolates your deck from the floor, ensuring that footsteps and floor vibrations never interfere with your music.
The “Line/Phono” Switch
This is a common setup slip-up. If your turntable has a built-in pre-amp, check the back. If you are plugging it into a standard “Aux” input on a speaker, switch it to “Line”. For those plugging into a dedicated “Phono” amp, switch it to “Phono”. Getting this wrong results in very quiet or very distorted sound.
Keep it Clean
Dust is the enemy. It causes pops, crackles, and wears down your stylus. We recommend a simple carbon fibre brush. A quick sweep before every side keeps your records sounding crisp for years.
Don’t forget the stylus itself, either. It does the hard work, so it deserves a little TLC. A dedicated stylus cleaner or cleaning fluid will gently lift grime from the needle tip, ensuring you hear the music exactly as the artist intended – without the fuzz.
The Simple Upgrade
Want better sound from £20? Swap the standard felt mat that comes with many budget turntables for a cork or rubber mat. It reduces static and tightens up the bass response instantly.
Ready to Start Spinning?
Browse our full range of turntables and vinyl records at Richer Sounds online, or pop into one of our stores. We’d love to play you a few tracks and help you find the perfect deck.
