Derek Malcolm / Digital Trends
Sure, we could keep citing year-over-year increases in vinyl record sales, but it’s pretty clear that the world’s highest grossing physical music format isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. So, there’s only one thing to do: Get a turntable. And, luckily, we can help with that.
Whether you’re rediscovering the satisfying ritual of holding a physical sleeve in your hands and putting on a record, are new to the world of vinyl, or you’re already neck-deep in LPs, having a decent turntable or record player is essential. But there are so many to choose from that it can get confusing. Many come ready to go out of the box, with preinstalled and configured cartridges, built-in phono preamps for easy connection to powered speakers or receivers and integrated amplifiers, and a range of features that make them easy to get the hang of. If you’re curious and want to dip your toes in slowly, one of our favorite entry-level turntables is the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X, a budget-priced basic deck that looks great, too.
But if you’ve already taken a few spins around the vinyl world and are looking to upgrade or get into something a little more advanced, like one with a better phono cartridge, external preamps, higher-quality tonearms, and anti-resonant components that can make for a beautifully clear and sonic experience, we’ve checked out a bunch and also put them on our list of the best turntables.
The best turntable we can recommend right now is the U-Turn Audio Orbit Special (Gen 2), which has been given a nice little refresh and upgrade since it launched in 2012. We reviewed it in November of last year and its top-notch Ortofon cartridge and solid acrylic platter help ensure dynamic and clear sound, while its updated speed select switch makes it a breeze to use. We also still love the stalwart Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo, so check that out, too.
But we’ve got several other turntables on our list to help you decide, and once you do, why not check out our roundup of the best turntable accessories, too. Let’s go.
