The turntables on today’s market fall into 1 of 2 categories. All-in-1 tables consist of a turntable, amplifier and speakers, contained within the same casework. Some systems include support for other formats too, including CD, digital playback via USB and even cassette. But are they as good as they seem?
A Guide to Phono Stages
A phono stage is a preamplifier used to boost the minute signal of a phono cartridge, while reversing the equalisation curves used when cutting the record. Here’s our complete guide.
The Current Turntable Market (2016)
Exploring the 2016 turntable market with a selection of turntables at various price points.
The Components of a Turntable
Many of the most popular record players for sale today are of an all-in-1 design, meaning that the record player, amplifier and speakers are housed within the same case, which is usually of a retro design in a portable space-saving form factor. These devices can be purchased for less than £100, which compared to even a budget system comprised of a separate turntable, amplifier and speakers can make them seem like excellent value for money. To assess whether or not this is the case, we first need to see what actually makes a turntable tick.
How to Set Up a Turntable
An in-depth guide to correctly setting up a turntable. The correct way to adjust vertical tracking force, vertical tracking angle, anti-skate / bias and azimuth are all discussed here.
How to Optimise the Sound of your Turntable and Records
Explains how to optimise a turntable and care for your records to achieve the best possible sound.
How to Install and Align a Turntable phono Cartridge
How to correctly install and align a phono cartridge.
How to Purchase a Used Turntable
A guide to selecting and purchasing a used turntable, as well as tips on checking it for full functionality.
Turntable Drive Systems
A guide to the three primary turntable drive systems – belt drive, direct drive and idler drive – and the pros and cons of each.
A Guide to Turntable, Tonearm and Cartridge Specifications
A guide to the specifications of your turntable, tonearm and cartridge.
Free Turntable Cartridge Alignment Protractors and Strobe Discs
A selection of free cartridge alignment protractors and strobe discs to accurately align a cartridge and test the speed of your turntable.
Recommended Tools and Gifts for Vinyl Fans
A few recommended tools and gifts for vinyl fans. These will ease the task of setting up and maintaining your turntable as well as allowing you to exact the maximum quality possible from your system and vinyl.
A Guide to Turntables and Vinyl, Addendum’s and Conclusions
Concludes our Guide to Turntable and Vinyl with some extra resources and a brief terminology reference.
Pro-Ject ‘The Classic’ Turntable Review
Pro-Ject’s ‘The Classic’ is a modern deck with a degree of retro charm. Clever technology meets a classic design, and the result is a worthy contender at the price. A better cartridge wouldn’t go Amiss, and a revised anti-skate system would be a major plus too.
Edifier R2000DB Active hi-fi Bluetooth Speakers Review
Edifier’s R2000DB is a budget speaker with impressive build, a decent array of features and superb sonics.
Yamaha KX-580 Cassette Deck Review
What? A cassette deck review in 2017? A little anachronistic, surely? A few weeks ago, I mentioned to AA’s own Ashley that I’d been getting a bit nostalgic for the defunct format, especially after seeing Andy Hall’s extensive collection of Beatles cassettes on his great YouTube channel. Search him, and you’ll see what I mean. I mentioned to Ashley that my favourite cassette deck had been my Yamaha KX-580 SE which I’d owned from new since 1999, and which I’d sadly sold for the price of a plate of beans on toast a few years later. I’d also thrown away a lot of tapes that I’d kept in the loft, when I made a necessary downsize in accommodation. I couldn’t quite kick the cassette habit though, and shortly after I bought a NAD 613 deck.
Connect a Turntable to Active Speakers for a Compact Vinyl Replay System
Who said a proper vinyl-based system had to be large and cumbersome? It is possible to assemble a compact vinyl playback system which won’t break the bank, won’t damage your records and will sound a million times better than virtually every self-contained, all-in-one solution currently on the market.
5 Naff Ways To Clean Your Records…
Having cleaned more records than I’ve had hot dinners, I somehow believe I am in the privileged position to pontificate on the worst ways to do this.
Pro-Ject Primary USB Turntable Review
Pro-Ject’s primary is a great value budget vinyl spinner with an enjoyable sound, fuss-free setup quality build and clean looks. Opt for the USB model and you get a capable phono stage and a USB interface too. If you’re starting out or need a turntable to spin some old favourites, this could well be it. Highly recommended.
Dual MTR-40 Direct Drive USB Turntable Review
The MTR-40 certainly offers many welcome features, though the execution leaves a lot to be desired. There’s a lot of competition at this price, and the Dual MTR-40 can’t compete with the best.