Top Five Record Holders
Whether you own vinyl records, are a DJ, or are new to vinyl, you need a good turntable. Reliable, durable and easy to maintain. This week we’ll be taking a look at the top five based on your nominations.
Vinyls still make up a small fraction of total music sales, but they are definitely growing, no doubt about that. Also, many people have records for years, or have been donated to them, or like to buy old records from thrift stores, but you still need a good turntable. Earlier this week, we asked you to list your favorites , and you gave us tons of great deals. However, we only have room for the top five, and here they are, in no particular order:
Audio-Technica AT-LP120 USB
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120 is a direct drive turntable that can be connected to external devices (such as mixers or computers) via USB or analog. This is useful if you want to both listen to your old collection of recordings and digitize it for listening on the go or making backups. Direct drive means the platter is driven directly by the motor, and there is no belt or other moving parts involved in the turntable itself. This also means that fewer moving parts can vibrate and create additional noise. The AT-LP120 is also a half-slope of the ever-popular (which we’ll talk about later) Technics SL-1200MK2, save for the significantly more affordable price tag of just $ 250 on Amazon . The turntable can easily be switched forward or backward, has a pitch adjustment slider on the side (+/- 10% -20%), a hinged dust cover, selectable 33/45/78 rpm speed modes, die-cast aluminum wheel (with Audio Mats- Technica, of course), as well as all the cables and connectors needed to connect to a stereo, mixer and monitors or computer.
Those of you who have nominated the AT-LP120 and highly rated it for the nomination noted that its die-cast aluminum rim is beautiful and heavy, the turntables move without much vibration, and is durable and reliable, not to mention affordable compared to other turntables. designed for DJs. or audiophiles. Some of you have pointed out that the USB output is a really nice feature, as is the included preamp, so you don’t need a ton of powerful equipment at all to use a turntable. In addition, the USB output makes it easy to connect to your computer whenever you like. You can read more about this in the nomination thread here .
Rega RP1
The Rega RP1 is a modern, stylish turntable designed for customers looking for form as well as functionality. This is a belt driven turntable designed for audiophiles. That said, it doesn’t have the exorbitant price tag that so-called audiophile gear is commonly associated with – the Rega RP1 will set you back $ 435 on Amazon . It can take bumps (although from the looks of it, you never want to damage it) and the table itself is made of phenolic resin for durability. It features a belt-driven, low-vibration motor with manual speed control, so you can really change the speed where you need it. The tonearm is handcrafted and the special “Rega Carbon” magnetic cartridge is a high quality kit that delivers great sound at a reasonable price. Best of all, Rega notes that their focus on design extends to the durability of their products, and that you can buy one and enjoy it for years without worrying about replacement parts.
Those of you who have nominated the RP1 commented that this is a great ‘entry-level’ turntable that won’t cost you much if you’re looking for a stereo style turntable (trust us, it might sound expensive, but you praised its price for that it’s in a good place where you get a great bang for your buck without paying the “audiophile tax” when you end up paying more for less return on your sound investment. The minimalist design works in any home entertainment system. and the others of you have said that it sounds great on affordable home entertainment equipment, but it also sounds great if you have more expensive equipment, all of which make it a great buy if you’re just starting out with quality audio equipment and can upgrade later. things like an amplifier or speakers, or if you already have them and are looking for a suitable turntable. Read more in the thread its nominations here .
Technics SL-1200MK2
Ah, “steel wheels”. Technics SL-1200MK2 (and later MK3, MK4 and MK5) is a typical turntable. Used by DJs, turntables, musicians, radio stations and general music lovers for decades since their release in 1978, Technics finally discontinued the SL1200 line in 2010. They are so highly prized that the pair 1210 is on display at the London Science Museum, and they are highly prized as turntables that can be dropped from the back of a truck, thrown off a hill, then picked up, brushed off, plugged in and still play like as if nothing had happened. They are the industry standard, after all – the smallest is a powerful low vibration direct drive magnetic motor, steel disc, + -8% pitch adjustment, selectable 33/45 RPM speed modules and of course, removable dust protectors covers and rugs. While production of the SL-1200 is technically discontinued, that doesn’t mean they can’t be found – they are still widespread, both new and used, and can be bought for around $ 600 from Amazon sellers, oreven cheaper on eBay . We suggest you head to a music store in your area and see what they have. They may be the gold standard, but now that they are discontinued, they are certainly expensive.
Full disclosure, I nominated the 1200s because I have a couple, I have many years, and they are like a rock. Those of you who supported the nomination also pointed this out – perhaps they were done too well, as many of you said that you have yours forever, and they never had as much as a problem. Even if they did, one of the nice things about the 1200 series was that they were easy to disassemble for service and repair. However, many of you have pointed out that these guys are built like tanks, and while they’re primarily aimed at the DJ set, they’re just as good to listen to if you can find a good set. Many people called on Technics to reintroduce the iconic turntables. There is even a petition on this score. Read more in the nomination thread here .
Debut Pro-Ject Carbon
The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is a beautifully designed, great-sounding budget turntable that is consistently regarded as one of the best budget choices for your home stereo system. A precision belt driven turntable with a good sized plate, the Debut Carbon features a carbon fiber tonearm, low vibration motor, and replaceable cartridges (although it comes with a nice Ortofon cartridge you might not want to replace. Debut Carbon also comes in several colors, including a removable dust cover, and a minimalist design that will look great in any home theater system. The case is made of durable MDF, and the plate itself is made of steel, so it is durable and attractive and relatively affordable. on price $ 400 on Amazon .
The Debut Carbon is actually the next model after the Debut III, which many of you have named in the nominations thread. The Debut III was discontinued (although it’s still available), but Carbon is generally considered a major improvement for the same price – the same turntable and internals with an improved carbon fiber engine and tonearm. Those of you who have praised and nominated him have noted that for people who just want to listen to the tapes – for example, they don’t expect to get them, and they don’t work as a DJ – a belt-driven turntable is a better and more affordable a choice over direct drive, and the fact that Debut Carbon comes in so many colors and is economical makes it a great choice for people looking to listen to their old recordings – or get into vinyl records – without the big expense. Read more in the nomination thread here .
Audio-Technica AT-LP60
The Audio-Technica AT-LP60 is the little brother of the previously mentioned LP120, available for $ 100 from Amazon in a variety of colors. It’s a belt-driven turntable aimed directly at people who don’t have a turntable and who really don’t know what they want from it – if anything at all – but they know they don’t want to spend a ton of money to rediscover for themselves from their record collections (or records given to them). The LP60 has a removable dust cover, selectable 33/45 rpm speeds, a built-in phono stage and replaceable cartridges. It’s tough and durable, so you don’t have to worry about degradation, even if it’s a budget model. Finally, the LP60 has an all-aluminum disc, a compact design, and all the cables you’ll need to connect to your home stereo system.
Those of you who have praised the LP60 have noted that it is great for buyers on a tight budget and great for people who are not overly picky about the more audiophile aspects of their listening experience. This is a space saver and is often available for less than $ 100, usually sold on Amazon. At the same time, many of you pointed out that you cannot control the tracking and anti-skating on this model, which means that the arm may track too much, apply too much pressure or pull on one side. a groove or another of your recordings, or god forbid just sliding across your record is all very bad, both for your listening experience and for the longevity of your recordings. You can read more of the conversation in his nominations thread here .
Now that you’ve seen the top five, it’s time to put them up for a general vote:
Honorable mentions
We’ve earned an honorable mention this week for the amazingly ancient Dual 1237 . Seriously, go take a look at these things. You will never find it these days unless you are very lucky (like this Redditor ), but if you or a family member has one, you should know that you have something amazing on hand. These units are strong and durable, sound incredible, are fully automatic and belt driven, and some have record breaking features. There are several themes full of love for Dual in the call for challengers post, so be sure to come back and check it out.
Do you have anything to say about one of the applicants? Want to substantiate your personal favorite even if it wasn’t on the list? Remember, the Top 5 is based on your most popular nominations from the Call for Applicants thread earlier this week . Don’t just complain about the top 5, let us know which option you prefer and justify it in the discussions below.