How to Buy a Turntable

Although CDs are the most popular format these days, older recordings might still only be available on LPs (or even 78s). Also, records are a must for you amateur party DJs. These instructions are for buying a basic turntable. If you're an audiophile, see the Related eHow "How to Buy a High-Fidelity Turntable."

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Turntables

1. As inexpensive turntables made by Japanese manufacturers have noise-inducing plastic bases and plinths, consider buying a used turntable.

2. Buy a belt-drive turntable if possible, as they cost less and provide greater tonal accuracy and isolation from motor noise than direct-drive turntables.

3. Choose between manual, automatic (starts and stops the tonearm) and semi-automatic (lifts the tonearm at the end of the record) operation. Automatic operation offers convenience, while manual operation provides better sound quality.

4. Make sure a model that interests you includes the features you want. These might include the ability to play 78 rpm records, a 45 rpm adapter, a dust cover, a clamp or a strobe.

Tips & Warnings

• If you choose to buy a used turntable, look for an AR, Dual or Garrard model with a wood base and no suspension. Make sure the turntable works and the platter mat and belt are not in need of immediate replacement.
• Your amplifier must have a phono stage/phono preamp for a turntable to work in your system.
• New or used turntables don't always include a cartridge. You will need a moving magnet phono cartridge.
• Avoid turntables driven by plastic or rubber gears.

[ooRobin]

on 8/12/2008 How or where can I get a ground wire to the turntable to the Pioneer receiver so I can have some sound?

[Aelfric]

on 6/15/2008 A suspended turntable is not necessarily better than a non-suspended one. There are very good and very bad examples of both types. Eliminating the suspension means more money to put into the other components. It also means fewer factors which have to be correct in the design. Unless you're spending multiple thousands on the turntable, you're probably better off without suspension.

Try a high output moving coil cartridge. These will happily drive a moving magnet phono stage.

The synergy between the turntable, tonearm, and cartridge is important. Some combinations of very good components simply don't work, other combinations really sing. This is where your deal can really help.

The most important thing is to listen. No matter how good the reviews, no matter row high the ratings on internet forums, if it doesn't sound musical to you, don't buy it.

on 8/8/2006 Some people are dead set against idler wheel drive, but a high quality one with a heavy platter reduces the rumble. The ELAC Miracord and Dual turntables work this way and are excellent choices. Also, the heavy platter helps with a more consistent RPM.

on 8/8/2006 If you plan to do any turntablism, stay away from belt-drive. The bands will snap quickly, and it won't provide the torque you'll need.

on 11/22/2005 Direct drive turntables like the Technics 1200 Mk2 are preferred by most DJs because they regain normal speed much faster than belt drive decks. This is especially useful when scratching or beat mixing.