Latest news with #turntables
The Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- 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:
Forbes
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Record Roundup 31: Lamborghinis, Streamers And Wristwatches
Andover Audio's new SpinBase MAX2 speaker system for turntables Welcome to the 31st edition of Record Roundup, my ongoing coverage of the latest developments in the world of turntables and record players. This edition features several unique turntables, a new speaker system from Andover Audio, a TT-friendly streaming amp and the wristwatch for Technics SL-1200 fans. For those with deep pockets who are looking for a unique turntable, the Waiting For Ideas Turntable PP-1 should fit the bill. This Paris-based creative studio partnered with Miniot Technology to offer the ultimate in minimalist design: a monolithic block of anodized aluminum (offered in a space gray or black finish) that plays records. There's no visible tonearm, but place a record on the sunken platter and a hidden door opens beneath the record being played to reveal the cartridge and stylus. Pricing for this made to order statement turntable is around $6,000. Top view of the Turntable PP-1, showing the door that conceals the cartridge Somewhere, a marketing team produced a Venn diagram showing overlap between music lovers who prefer listening to records and car lovers who have a thing for Lamborghinis. If you are in this demographic, Technics has the turntable for you. A special edition of the Technics SL-1200 Series (a coreless direct drive turntable loved by DJs) offers Lamborghini-inspired paint jobs in a choice of three colors: Arancio Apodis, Verde Shock, and Giallo Athon (or orange, green and yellow for those not in the know). Each of these special edition turntables also includes a Lamborghini-crested slipmat and a record featuring 'the engine sounds of flagship Automobili Lamborghini cars.' The Technics Special Edition Lamborghini turntable carries a $1599.99 price tag, which is a premium over the base SL-1200, but it's a heck of a lot more affordable than a Lamborghini Revuelto. Technics Special Edition Lamborghini Turntable in Verde Shock Massachusetts-based Andover Audio never stops innovating. Two years ago I reviewed the company's SpinBase MAX, a turntable audio system that leveraged proprietary ISOgroove technology and audio engineering expertise to deliver an immersive record listening experience from a single, space-saving cabinet that sits beneath the turntable itself. Andover Audio has just released the followup SpinBase MAX 2. It's still a space-saver that sits beneath your turntable and includes an integrated PHONO pre-amp. In fact, it looks almost identical to the original. But the new version gets an upgrade to six drivers (four 3.5-inch woofers and two silk dome tweeters), making the 270 degree soundstage even more convincing. And with 100W of total amplification on tap, the SpinBase MAX 2 has the power to fill even the largest rooms. I have a SpinBase MAX 2 set up in my office, so watch for my take on the latest Andover Audio release in the coming weeks. The SpinBase MAX 2 uses IsoGroove technology so you can set your turntable on top of it without ... More distortion Eversolo has very smart-looking amplifier that's designed to deliver the best in modern streaming music capabilities. The Eversolo Play offers multi-room capability (with room correction), a multi-band professional EQ, a 32-bit DAC, extensive high resolution digital file format support and up to 110W per channel of power. The premium, CNC-machined aluminum enclosure features a 5.5-inch HD touch display–perfect for viewing album art from integrated streaming music platforms such as Tidal and Apple Music. You can also use your smartphone for control. Around back, you'll find a wide range of inputs and outputs, including an integrated PHONO stage–plug in your turntable for the best of modern digital and analog music playback. There's even a version with a built-in CD player, so you can have comprehensive physical media playback capability in a modern amplifier. Eversolo Play is a modern music streaming amplifier with turntable support Finally, for those who want to fly their vinyl flag publicly, AndoAndoAndo has the must-have wristwatch. The Vinyl Record Automatic Watch (available in a variety of color combinations) is designed to look like the iconic Technics SL-1200 turntable with a tonearm instead of an hour hand. Maybe not the most practical timepiece, but definitely among the coolest. The ultimate watch for record fans? Missed the last Record Roundup? You can read RR30 here.
