Throughout the history of music, record players have stood the test of time.

They provide a refined aesthetic with their unique design and unparalleled groove that any music lover would enjoy. The way vinyl records work is by creating vibrations from the microscopic tracks imprinted every time a record spins. This simple yet genius mechanism is the reason behind the vinyl’s mesmerizing sound quality.

Like the ever-changing music landscape, people’s preferences and the many ways they listen to music have also evolved over the years. For the past few years, it seemed like vinyl record players have been making a strong comeback. People are interested in vinyl not only because they want to have stable and easy access to their favorite records but also because they enjoy the whole vibe these records add to their home. Here are a few considerations to bear in mind before investing in a new record player to make a wise and calculated purchase.

Sizes and Different Speeds

The key difference between most record players is their sizes and speeds. Vinyl players come in different sizes regarding turntables and the speed they rotate at. The majority of players also have a built-in option that gives you more control over making manual adjustments to the speed of your player. For singles and music pieces that don’t exceed 5 minutes, a 7-inch record player is a suitable option. It plays at 45 Revolution Per Minute (RPM) and stores 5 minutes of music on each side. The 12-inch record player plays at 33 RPM, and it stores more than 20 minutes of music on each side. The 10-inch player is the oldest and the rarest vinyl record player. It usually plays at a speed that reaches 78 RPM.

Materials Matter

Turntables are integrated into record players for two important functions. The first is to provide a stable mechanism that spins records at a constant speed. The second is to allow the needle to read recorded information by navigating through record grooves. While there is not much difference in how each turntable gets both these tasks done, there are many other differences in mode, construction, and materials. These differences affect the purity and quality of your tunes. The options are endless when it comes to record players, but finding the best record players on the market requires some effort and time to know which one is right for you. You can choose a modern or vintage player, one with many tech features, or a simple, easy-to-use player. To make a calculated decision, you need to do enough research to find the perfect option that will satisfy all your musical needs.  

Automatic or Manual?

The core difference between a manual turntable and an automatic turntable is how the needle is placed on the record. In automatic turntables, the needle drops by itself on the record. While this might sound more convenient, automatic turntables are not quite preferred among vinyl lovers. Automation in such vintage, valuable devices seems odd and out of place; even if it’s more, it provides more convenience. This fact reveals itself loud and clear, especially in mid to high-end players. You can clearly see that automatic record players are rare, which means you will have to lift the tonearm yourself and place the needle on the record. Notice that by changing the position of the needle, the song your record is playing gets changed.

Important Features

Besides size and style, the difference in cost when it comes to buying record players essentially goes back to the features you want your record to have. For example, some people might be interested in moving their record player around with ease. If you care about portability, make sure that your record player comes with a handle and foldable locks so you can easily carry it wherever you want. Another option is opting for a wireless record player that can be charged or operated by batteries.

Bluetooth is another important feature to pay attention to when buying the right record player for your needs. Getting a Bluetooth-in record player means that you will be able to connect your smartphone with the player to play your favorite tunes wirelessly. Bluetooth-out record players, on the other hand, offer a chance to connect with Bluetooth speakers. So, make sure to pay attention to the features you want to be included in your record player.

The power of good music is one of the few things in life we can all agree on. But, your experience will largely depend on how you choose to listen to your favorite tunes. The analog format, unique sound, and ingenious design of record players have made them popular again, even in the modern technology era.