While our pick for best record player overall is made by Rega, don't forget about Austrian brand Pro-Ject which also boasts an accomplished range, while Technics and Clearaudio dominate the high-end record player sector. While no audio firm has a completely perfect record in this area, sticking to the established and well respected brands is a great place to start. It might sound obvious but sound quality is the biggest priority by far. So, you've decided to pull the trigger and purchase a shiny new record player, but what are the key elements to consider before laying down your hard-earned cash?
#Record turntable how to#
(Image credit: Getty/Daniel Grill) How to choose the best record player for you If you’ve got a grand to drop on your analogue habit, this is the best record player to spend it on. In short, it’s as straightforward as vinyl gets and it sounds amazing. Clean, organised and dynamic, it takes a digital approach that digs up all of the detail on that big, black slab, but it’s not cold and unfeeling in the way of a hi-res music player. It’s also semi-automatic, so while you have to place the stylus in the groove to begin with, the tonearm will lift from the record at the end without you needing to lift a finger.īut what’s most impressive about this next-gen turntable is how amazing the SL-1500C sounds. This Technics turntable is a thoroughly modern unit with direct drive, so there's no belt to mess about with, a built-in cartridge and integrated phono preamp. So this SL-1500C is decidedly entry-level by comparison. The price of £899 might not scream 'entry-level' to most people, but the modern iteration of Technics is best known for its £3000 SL-1210 and lauded for its £14,000 SL-1000R. The best record player around right now, bar none. If you want to hear your vinyl as intended – and why else would you be embarking on this analogue adventure? – this is how you should do it. You can also buy the Rega Planar 3 with added Elys 2 moving magnet cartridge, which will add a handful of cash to the purchase, but the extra outlay is worth it if you're looking for top-drawer performance and crystal clear audio. Everything you throw at it will sound just as it should – packed with detail, punch, rhythm and impeccable tonality.
This Rega turntable is an unbelievably clean and clear performer that doesn’t impart its own character on your records. Under the skin, almost every part had been revised since the last iteration – the P3-24 of 2007. Yet, amazingly, if I were to put it and this current version side-by-side, I think most people would be hard-pressed to spot any differences beyond the smarter plinth and updated tonearm. The original Planar 3 is now over 40 years old. And, if you have slightly less to play with the Sony PS-HX500 (opens in new tab) is another brilliant option. First up is the Audio Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB (opens in new tab) – a sure bet from a respected brand. There are also two other options if you have less to spend but still want to invest in a brand with pedigree. However, we're sure stock will start filtering through soon given its popularity. The only caveat is that it's currently hard to get hold of, especially if you're based in the UK. It'll go toe-to-toe with record players that cost a whole lot more. While it may look a tad expensive in a world awash with cheaper turntables, the Planar 3 is worth its weight in gold. And the Planar 3 is without doubt the pick of the bunch. After all, this is a company with almost 50 years of turntable building experience behind them, and yet they refuse to rest on their laurels, releasing quality product after quality product. To call Rega dominant in the world of record players would be something of an understatement. Let's get straight to the point – my top choice for the best record player is the Rega Planar 3 (opens in new tab).
0 kommentar(er)
