The simplest solution is to get a straight high-quality tonearm that doesn't resist your records, though most of the models on our list use sturdy materials to keep things from breaking. The most common issue is a drifting tonearm, where the needle will start to skip back over the grooves of your vinyl, resulting in bouncing disasters in the middle of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours.

What are some record player problems and how do you avoid them?ĭespite all the technical advancements afforded to modern audiophiles, well-used record players tend to develop the same sort of issues after years of use, so you will need to keep an eye on your gear to avoid any future headaches. The differences between materials are largely insignificant and down to personal preference, but just ensure you’re getting a heavy platter to stop vibrations from breaking the audio quality.įor direct-drive turntables, you’ll have to get a slip mat to stop the record from spinning over the top of the plinth and scratching it up when mixing, though most come with one as part of the price. Most of our top choices use aluminium platters for you to put your precious vinyl on, but there are options that use acrylic or a special, lightweight plastic instead. What are the best record players in 2022? Don‘t worry though, as we’ve laid out our expert guide to the best record players you need to buy to help you scratch and mix like Deadmau5 from the comfort of your armchair. You’ll need to have a working understanding of tonearms, direct drives and belt drives, plates and pre-amps, and that’s before we start firing up the traditionalists by stoking the Bluetooth vs analogue debate. However, before you dip your toe into the vast waters of record-flipping, there are a few key things you should wrap your head around to get the most out of your music. No matter whether you’re the proud owner of a healthy vinyl record collection or you’re looking to make a move away from the instant, on-demand nature of digital music streaming for a more manual hi-fi experience, there are plenty of high-end turntables for aspiring at-home DJs and music-lovers alike. Dropping a tonearm on your cherished records is the true way of the audiophile, and we won’t hear any arguments to contradict us. There will be naysayers who’ll tell you that digital streaming is the only way to listen to high-quality tunes, but we’re all for the current vinyl revival –we haven’t stopped listening to Metallica’s Master of Puppets on repeat, to be honest. The best record players unlock a whole new way to enjoy your music.

Best buy record players for sale