In What Hi-Fi?
Our choose of the finest turntables for plastic fans.
Best Record Players purchasing Guide: greeting to What Hi-Fi?’s round-up of the finest turntables you can get.
Vinyl has returned and it’s really evidently right right right here to keep. Therefore whether you are purchasing your very very first turntable, replacing a vintage deck or trying to update your current record player, we could assist.
We have rounded-up the record players that are best around, whatever your allowance, including, needless to say, our latest exactly exactly What Hi-Fi? honors winners.
Our round-up for the most useful record players comes with a smattering of selections during the spending plan end of this market, plus a range of premium record players if you should be seeking to invest only a little – or a whole lot – additional money. You may also get an invisible Bluetooth turntable should you intend to stream your plastic choices.
A lot of the decks listed here are pretty much plug-and-play, and come with all the tonearm and cartridge connected. All that you may need to do is balance the tonearm and set the monitoring fat, but this might be pretty easy – simply stick to the supplied instructions. In the event there isn’t any cartridge as standard, it may be well well well worth visiting our selection of the very best cartridges you can purchase for many motivation.
Whether you are considering an entry-level, midrange or premium turntable, these pages is our choose associated with the most useful record players around.
1. Rega Planar 3/Elys 2
Basically the affordable record player available on the market.
SPECS
Measurements: 11.7 x 44.7 x 36cm (HxWxD) | engine: Belt drive | Cartridge: Elys2 MM | Phono preamp: No | USB: No | Bluetooth: No | Speeds: 33 в…“, 45 | Tracking force: 2g | Finish: White, black colored, red
Reasons why you should purchase
Reasons in order to avoid
No turntable has dominated its category such as the Planar 3, accepting all-comers since its launch the 1970s. So if you prefer a step-up in performance, we are only too very happy to suggest the Rega Planar 3/Elys 2 you notice right here.
By way of a thorough modification and some key component improvements – notably the tonearm and cartridge – this version keeps the legacy in tact. The Planar 3 stays exactly just what it’s been: a straightforward, beautifully-engineered deck that sets performance first. Having an engaging feeling of scale and good organisational abilities, the Planar 3 helps to ensure that every tool is well-separated and composed, in spite of how complex the track. It exhibits a larger standard of transparency than its talented predecessor, too.
In a nutshell, this brand brand brand new variation may be the best RP3 yet – as illustrated by its item of the season gong during the 2019 exactly exactly just What Hi-Fi? Prizes – adding additional servings of quality, accuracy and understanding to a currently musical noise. If you should be in search of the cost effective turntable available on the market, this really is it.
2. Pro-Ject Main E
A Exactly Just What Hi-Fi? Award champion for the price of simply a couple of documents.
SPECS
Measurements (hwd): 11.2 x 42 x 33cm | Motor: Belt drive | Cartridge: Ortofon MM | Phono preamp: No | USB: No | rates: 33 1/3, 45 (handbook speed change) | Finishes: Red, white, black
Reasons why you should purchase
Reasons to prevent
The Primary E confidently nails the fundamentals, from a also tonal stability to a distribution that’s clear and neat and roomy adequate to keep things coherent. Decent human anatomy and substance cling reliably to every regularity, and that’s made all the greater amount of enjoyable by way of a sense that is spirited of and momentum.
As being a turntable that is first you will never beat near this cost.
3. Rega Planar 1
Should you want to simply take one step up from a 
spending plan model, spend money on the Planar 1.
SPECS
Proportions: 11.7 x 44.7 x 36cm (HxWxD) | Motor: Belt drive | Cartridge: Rega Carbon MM | Phono preamp: No | USB: No | Bluetooth: No | rates: 33 в…“, 45 | Finish: White, black colored
Reasons why you should purchase
Reasons in order to avoid
In a time of modification, not Rega’s best-selling record player is resistant into the desire to have fresh reasoning. Along with the brand new Rega Planar 1, modification is undoubtedly good. Pretty everything that is much see has undergone some form of modification, with all the outcome a clear step-up from entry-level decks.
It might be low on frills you have a detailed performance that delivers detailed, powerful noise. The Rega Carbon cartridge is equipped as standard, and this is basically the first of Rega’s entry-level turntables to accommodate a low noise 24v synchronous AC engine with an aluminium pulley.
Noise is roomy-sounding, expressive, full-bodied. There aren’t any flaws that are obvious however, if you are doing have the desire to update this deck’s ability as time goes on, Rega supply A efficiency Pack add-on. It offers Rega’s Bias 2 going magnet cartridge, upgrade drive belt and 100 % wool turntable mat that is natural.
4. Technics SL-1500C
A great sounding, fuss-free record player at under a grand.
SPECS
Measurements: 23 x 16 x 12cm (HxWxD) | engine: Direct drive | Cartridge: yes | Phono preamp: Yes | USB: No | rates: 33 в…“, 45, 78 (electric rate modification) | Finishes: Silver, black
Reasons why you should purchase
Reasons to prevent
The rebirth of Technics has spawned another turntable that is fantastic. In contrast to the high-end SL-1000R found further down this list, the SL-1500C is a lot more affordable, and it’s one of many record players that are best we have heard under a grand.
It works on the core-less direct drive engine with clever rate administration circuitry plus the organization’s trademark arm that is s-shaped. The arm is attached with an Ortofon 2M Red plus the deck additionally is sold with a unique integrated phono phase. All things are engineered with an enjoyable feeling of precision that fits the equally-pleasing noise. Music is delivered with a fantastic feeling of dynamism and power, alongside a remarkable quantity of agile, yet weighty bass.
While purists may choose the somewhat more insightful Rega Planar 3/Elys 2 (above), the Technics SL-1500C provides sharp presentation, an integral phono phase and electric rate control, rendering it an ideal choice for anyone perhaps not completely engrossed in plastic.