Professional advice on how to purchase a top Record Player:
Your favorite artist’s music ultimately sounds better on a newly-minted 200-gram LP than on a sleek compact disc or DVD. Avid collectors of vinyl records agree that music infinitely sounds more profound on a record player than on the latest model of DVD or CD player. This is why the best record player reviews still enjoy a wide audience in the modern world.
Digital listening can seem a bit more casual, compared to vinyl record listening that takes a more involved approach, from dusting off the record to putting it on the turntable and listening to the audible thump of the tonearm shortly before the music is played. The sentimentality of the lyrics becomes deeper and more committed to memory, proving more poignant and bittersweet as the music progresses. This is exactly why people never tire of searching for the best rated record player available in the market.
A turntable spins a vinyl LP at a constant rate, enabling the listener to catch the tiniest nuances in the recording. It can have either a belt-drive or direct drive system. Belt-drive systems units have their motor mounted off to the side, with the platter connected to the motor and spun by it via an elastic belt. Direct drive units have the motor directly under the record player’s platter. Many of the best rated products that are patronized by professional DJs are direct drive units due to the highly consistent speed they provide for accurate sound reproduction with reduced flutter and wow. Their relatively simple design also ensures a good level of reliability.
Manual turntables allow start of playback to whatever part of the record you want to be played. The convenience offered by automatic units is what attracts buyers to them. Phono amplification may be internal or external. Most audio systems used to carry the needed circuitry for amplification. Today’s receivers however lack the required inputs for connection to a turntable. Built-in phono preamps are simple and provide the best value for the money for a record player. Outboard or external preamp can rival that value with their better sound quality.
If you’re thinking of the perfect gift for Christmas, get a product with a good-quality phono cartridge. A moving magnet cartridge provides good value for the price, compatibility with a wide range of receivers and amplifiers, and good performance. A built-in USB port would be useful for transferring music from records to the PC for conversion to mp3 format.
The platter has to weigh considerably enough to keep the speed constant and to shield the record from the vibration of the motor to ensure high-fidelity playback. Speed variation or wow and flutter has to be low so the turntable is able to spin the platter at a precise level.
Score the best Black Friday deals on units with a high signal-to-noise ratio. This ensures the right level of background noise that can be expected from the machine for a given music signal level. This means there is more music compared to noise.
Make sure the proper rotation speed is available for the records you want to enjoy on your audio equipment. Most products offer 33 1/3 and 45 RPM capability. But if you own rare 78 RPM vinyl records, check that the product you get also offers this speed. In conclusion, the best record player 2014 has to have the elements presented in this buying guide.
Things to consider:
High signal-to-noise ratio, preferably higher than 70dBA, to ensure exceptional music enjoyment quality
Heavy-enough platter weight to keep spinning speed constant and at the right levels
Rotation speed that’s a match to the record to be played, for optimum sound enjoyment
Ample provisions for phono amplification, whether external or internal, to ensure optimum playback performance, and convenient conversion to mp3 format using a computer and via a built-in USB port
Top rated Record Players in 2014
Audio-Technica AT-LP60 Fully Automatic Belt-Driven Turntable
The Audio-Technica AT-LP60 Fully Automatic Belt-Driven Turntable been earning raves in the best record player reviews due to its fully-automatic belt-drive design. The appliance is also affordable. It has a built-in switchable phono preamp, so it can easily be connected directly to a PC, home stereo and to other components that have no provided dedicated turntable input. It comes with an integral Audio-Technica Dual Magnet™ phono cartridge with replaceable stylus, so one can easily upgrade or replace the needle or stylus once it reaches the prescribed 500 to 1000 hours of play time. The audio player offers fully automatic operation with two speeds: 33-1/3 and 45 RPM, for versatility in accordance with the records you own. It has a professional aluminum platter and comes with the needed cables for easy connection to a stereo or powered speakers.
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Electrohome Archer Classic Turntable Vinyl Record-Player
This three-in-one record player/turntable is designed with suitcase configuration of 1960’s inspiration so you can carry your music in style and sheer portability. It can play MP3s via USB or 3.5-mm auxiliary input from any music player, aside from playing vinyl records. You can enjoy your music library via USB in your iPad, iPhone, android or any Smartphone or tablet. It has built-in stereo speakers with full-range premium-quality audio reproduction, shelled in an all-wood acoustic cabinet, to ensure maximum audio performance. This product is inspired by over 100 years of developing analog audio systems. It has a “diamond tipped” ceramic needle that capably offers increased audio performance with a warm and natural tone, with ability to play your prized collections without scratching or damaging them. It spins 7, 10 or 12-inch records at speeds of 33 1/3, 45 & 78 RPM so you can sit back and relax while enjoying your cherished albums.
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Jensen JTA-230 Stereo Turntable
The Jensen JTA-230 3-Speed Stereo Turntable is a popular choice for the best record player 2014 thanks to its ability to play vinyl records at three speeds: 33; 45; and 78. It is a belt-driven turntable, so the belt serves as a shock absorber that isolates the platter from noise and vibration generated by the motor for less noise transmitted through the tonearm and audio system. You can connect your music player, iPod or other portable digital audio device. You can employ the USB cable and software that come in the package to encode from the record player or auxiliary line in straight to your computer. The Jensen JTA-230 has RCA Line-out Jacks for easy connection to your choice of device. It has Pitch Control for adjusting the Record Speed, plus Volume Control, Tone Control, Power Indicator that allow accurate sound reproduction and customization.
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Crosley CR8005A-TU Cruiser Portable Turntable
This belt-driven portable turntable with NP6 needle works hard to deliver accurate sound playback. With the belt acting as an effective shock absorber, less vibration and noise are generated from the motor to the platter and the tonearm, making great sound come from the audio system. The manual return tone arm enables you to start playback at whatever section of the record, so you can skip the parts you don’t like and listen to those that you genuinely love. The Crosley CR8005A-TU Cruiser Portable Turntable plays three speeds for optimum record listening enjoyment: 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM records. It has dynamic full range stereo speakers of maximum audio enjoyment. It comes with RCA and headphone jack outputs for connectivity and to enable private listening.
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Pyle Home PNGTT1R Classic Horn Phonograph/Turntable
The Pyle Home PNGTT1R Classic Horn Phonograph/Turntable carries the classic design of the original Edison phonograph and combines it with modern day’s silicon-based technology to create a one-of-a-kind and state-of-the-art audio equipment. Two built-in bass/mid-range speakers combine with the working horn to offer a full range of sound without need for extra hardware. The horn actually amplifies and defines the audio quality aside from giving the unit extra charm. The record player has a 3.5-mm aux in port so you can connect your portable device or music player for convenient music playing. You can also do data transfer through the USB cable, turning your favorite vinyl records into digital music via the supplied computer software. Built-in speakers offer sound that readily fills the room.
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