Techworld record store dayvinylaudio

World Record Store Day 2015: Best Turntables To Get Started

Fancy Joining The Vinyl Club? You'll Probably Want One Of These
Thomas Tamblyn

World Record Store Day might have become a victim of its own success in recent years, but the simple fact is that either way you look at it, it's bringing the spotlight back onto a format that has nostalgia at its very core.

Vinyl might not be the most convenient of format, but then that's pretty much the point. It's a way of listening to music that forces you to get hands-on.

Open Image Modal

From setting up the turntable arm so that it's perfectly balanced, to wasting away an afternoon actually making informed choices on the music you're buying.

It's moving us away from the using music as background noise, to giving it the respect it deserves, which is a quiet room, a glass of something and your absolute, undivided attention.

Sound like your cup of tea? Well you're in luck, getting started is easy enough, all you need is a pair of speakers and one of these:

Best Turntables 2015
Crosley(01 of06)
Open Image Modal
The Crosley is for the nostalgic that doesn't want to spend a fortune on something they'll only use every now and then. Combining classic looks with some reasonably basic features the Crosley is no-frills.£79.99, Crosley
MARANTZ TT5005(02 of06)
Open Image Modal
The Marantz is the perfect turntable for the beginner. With little to no modification required and costing under £200 it's a great first step. While the styling isn't what we'd call 'iconic', it's minimalist and very compact so while it won't be shouting in the room, it'll just be quietly doing its job.£169, RicherSounds
Pro-Ject Elemental(03 of06)
Open Image Modal
Small, stylish and perfectly balanced, the Elemental is a mid-range turntable for those that value looks as much as they do performance. With a central gravity mass point made using artificial stone, the Elemental is incredibly stable. Whether you're thinking of updating or want to spend a bit more on getting started then you'd struggle to go wrong.£159, RicherSounds
Musical Fidelity Roundtable(04 of06)
Open Image Modal
The Roundtable is at the higher end of the price spectrum and there's a reason for that: perfection. With weight adjustments so precise you're spend more time setting it up than actually playing it, the Roundtable isn't for the feint hearted but your dedication is rewarded with a sound that's as pure as it is warm.£599, HarrowAudio
Rega-RP6(05 of06)
Open Image Modal
The Rega RP6 is the high-profile turntable for those that are after the quintessential mix of design and audio quality. This isn't a cheap turntable, and it shouldn't be either. Using Rega's patented plinth design, the RP6 uses a resin-based material that keeps the plinth light but maintains the stability you'll need for distortion free audio.£898, HarrowAudio
Linn Sondek LP12(06 of06)
Open Image Modal
First released in 1972, the Sondek LP12 is the turntable for the traditionalist. While retaining its iconic shape and style, the LP12 has been ruthlessly upgraded as the technology an techniques have improved. What results is a turntable that looks like a classic, but plays like it's all-new.£POA, Linn
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip