Sadiq Khan: The real reason I don't wear ties
They tease me a lot. What I think
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The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
5 best record players, reviewed by an audio expert
There's something mesmerising about lowering a needle onto a spinning record. Vinyl record sales are booming, and if you're looking to start your vinyl journey, or you're thinking about upgrading an old turntable, I've found the best record players that won't break the bank. There's a plethora of budget-friendly record players available that don't feel like compromises – decks that blend classic appeal with just enough modern convenience to make everyday use a doddle. I've been spinning my way through a selection of the latest relatively affordable record players from a range of brands. They may differ in design, features, and finish, but all share one thing in common: they make listening to records straightforward and joyful. Some have fully automatic operation – just press 'start' and let the deck do the rest – which is ideal for those wary of tonearm technicalities. Others come equipped with Bluetooth, enabling you to wirelessly stream to compatible speakers or headphones, if that's more convenient than a traditional wired setup. You'll even find models with a USB output, making it possible to digitise your collection. I think the Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT is by far the best option for most people, offering brilliant sound quality at a reasonable price. However, l've tested lots of other great options. Whether you're rekindling your love of vinyl or lighting the spark for the first time, I've taken a close listen to help you find the best record player for your needs. How we tested Each of the turntables on test was carefully assembled and connected to my trusted reference audio system, ensuring a consistent setup for every model. To get a true sense of musicality and character, I spun a wide range of vinyl: the atmospheric layers and vocal nuances of Björk, the sweeping dynamics of Strauss's orchestral works, and the brassy, chaotic joy of Stan Kenton's big band jazz. I used these records to assess these players by several criteria: Sound quality: The most important test of all. It's perhaps a little subjective, but my varied playlist helped reveal how each deck handled detail, rhythm, dynamics and stereo imaging – all qualities that matter whether you're a casual listener or a long-time collector. Resonance: Reasonance is any vibration that impacts sound quality, whether from the turntable itself or from the tone arm. I wanted record players that reduced this resonance. Tone arms: A tonearm holds the stylus, or the needle. I wanted a smooth, lightweight tone arm that was easy to place onto a vinyl without damaging the record. Cartridge: The cartridge houses the needle, also known as a stylus. It's how a record player reads a record. These can often be swapped between different turntables, but I wanted to check the quality of the included cartridges and ensure that they didn't skip. Tracking force: This is the amount of pressure a stylus needle puts onto the groove. I measured the tracking force of each deck and whether or not it could be adjusted to ensure perfect playback. Anti-skate settings: These settings stop the stylus from creating too much inward force as it moves towards the centre of the record, so I both looked out for and tested these settings Connection types: All the turntables included in our tried-and-tested lineup come with a built-in phono preamp, as well as the option of a traditional line out. Vinyl records produce a very low-level signal that needs special amplification and equalisation before it can be heard properly through speakers. Traditionally, this job was handled by a dedicated phono stage in a hi-fi amplifier, or a separate external unit, but a built-in phono preamp takes care of that for you. I wanted record players with as many ways to connect as possible. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Steve May is a technology journalist with more than 30 years' experience, specialising in home audio, home cinema, TV, soundbars and personal audio. He writes for a variety of popular audio websites and publications. His reviews are based on real-world testing, and he will only recommend the handful of products he believes are worth your money. The best record players for 2025 are:
The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
Farage pledges to send Ian Huntley to El Salvador as part of Reform plans to tackle ‘lawless' Britain
Nigel Farage revealed Reform UK 's plan to send British criminals to some of the world's toughest prisons during a speech on Monday (21 July). The Reform UK leader unveiled plans that would seemingly mimic measures implemented by Donald Trump in America. The plans are part of the party's zero-tolerance approach to crime. Addressing media in London, Mr Farage said: 'If it means Ian Huntley has to go to El Salvador, so be it.' 'Reform will be the toughest party on law and order and on crime that this country has ever seen.' Huntley is currently serving a life sentence after he was found guilty of murdering school girls Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells in Soham in 2002.
The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
Traditional public service media should be more discoverable on YouTube
Traditional public service media is under threat and needs to be more discoverable on popular video sharing platforms like YouTube, regulatory body Ofcom has said. Its report, Transmission Critical: The Future of Public Service Media, says the Government should bring forward legislation to help 'ensure that PSM content is prominent and easy to find on the platforms, and on fair commercial terms.' The regulator and competition authority has made a number of recommendations in its action plan that is seeking 'urgent clarity from the Government on how TV will be distributed to reach audiences in the future.' Group director for broadcasting and media at Ofcom, Cristina Nicolotti Squires, told the PA news agency: 'We've called it (the report) Transmission Critical because we think that public service media is under real threat. 'Broadcasters are experiencing quite tough financial challenges. The business model changes with audiences fracturing everywhere.' According to research from Barb, which is responsible for calculating UK TV official viewing figures, viewing on linear channels has fallen significantly in recent years and this decline is expected to continue. The report says that public service broadcasters (PSBs) will have to work 'much harder to create content that audiences want to watch' on platforms like YouTube as 'they are competing with every other content creator in the world.' Ms Nicolotti Squires said: 'We're not saying they have to go on YouTube, but we're just saying that public service broadcasters have got to make great content where audiences are, and audiences are increasingly going onto YouTube. 'They all have different deals with YouTube in terms of commercial returns, and that's down to them. But I just think it's important that the programmes that they're making, public service programmes, are available where people are. 'So just delivering on the linear channels, obviously, we're seeing that viewing has fallen significantly in those areas. So it's a question of, as I said, pretty much putting these great programmes where people are watching them.' A key objective of the Media Act, passed in 2024, was to make it easier to find content from PSBs like the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 on smart TVs. Ms Nicolotti Squires said Ofcom is now calling for 'a logical next step on video sharing platforms'. She added: 'It might require some further legislative changes to regulation. We're starting the conversation rather than finalising it all.' The report says that stable and adequate funding is needed from the Government and emphasises that discoverability on online platforms is particularly important for news and children's content. It also recommends that online platforms invest in media literacy skills while forging ambitious strategic partnerships that can compete with global streaming platforms. On top of this, Ofcom is launching a review of its regulation of broadcast TV and radio that will seek input from stakeholders about the priority areas for reforming regulation. Sarah Rose, president of Channel 5, said: 'We are pleased that Ofcom's review highlighted the challenges producing specialist children's content and called for commercially viable funding models among its recommendations. 'Channel 5's Milkshake! continues to navigate those challenges to remain the only public service broadcaster offering a daily programming block which targets preschoolers with original content rooted in the UK's Early Years Foundation framework.' A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said: 'We welcome Ofcom's Public Service Media Review and we will now consider its recommendations.'
