Key Contents
- Affordable record players are the best for quality and durability.
- Sometimes a cheaper model can be enough to fit a more expensive collection or to wear more.
- Not all expensive record players are worth it. Focus on the specs and overall build quality.
Let’s say you’re looking for a record player. You’re faced with a lot of choices. Some of the options can be as cheap as $250, others can cost more than $500, and you might be looking at a second-hand store for under $50. You want the best for your vinyl collection in terms of sound quality and keeping your records in good condition. But the wide range of prices can make you wonder if price really matters.
Well, the short answer is yes and no. Every record player is different in some way, and while price doesn’t guarantee anything, it can generally be a good guide. So let’s take a look at some things to consider when looking at record players, and how the more expensive ones can fare better than the cheaper options.
The best choice is the one in the moderate price range.
Most people don’t need an expensive record player.
My best advice for turntables is to not over-spend, as you may need to replace them in a few years. But don’t over-spend either. You can find a perfectly good record player for a few hundred dollars at most that will last a very long time. Price is only one possible indicator of how good something is. What really matters is the actual specifications and performance of the record player.
Most record players have two speed settings: one for 45 RPM records and one for 33 1/3 RPM. However, if you have 78 RPM or 16 RPM records, you will need a turntable that can play those, too.
Also, whether you are getting a very expensive record player or a mid-priced one, it is important to get the features you want or need. Most record players have two speed settings, one for 45 RPM records and one for 33 1/3 RPM, but if you have 78s or 16s, you will need a turntable that can play those records as well. You will also want to make sure that your record player has the correct inputs and outputs to fit your existing audio setup, so you can get started without having to buy new cables.
When to buy a cheaper turntable vs. a more expensive turntable
There are situations where it is justifiable to spend more or less.
Cheap record players have cheap motors, a very noticeable frequency wobble (also known as flutter or wow), and if the arm is not properly balanced or too heavy, it can scratch the record grooves, wearing out and ruining the record over time.
This product just looks cute in the apartment, but is never used.
I’ve personally seen this happen in the past with cheap, trendy, mass-produced record players from places like Amazon or Urban Outfitters. Popular ones that come to mind are the Crosley or Victrola bag-style record players that sell for around $50. They’re not made to last, they’re made to look cute in an apartment and they never get used.
The situation where it is safer to buy a cheaper record player and take the risk of potentially damaging it is when your collection is not that valuable to you and did not cost much to begin with. If you are only going to play a few scratched bargain records, you probably don’t care that much if the grooves are a little deeper or you hear a popping sound. In that case, of course buy a cheaper record player. However, if you want expensive records that you want to keep for a long time, buying a cheaper record player becomes a little pointless. In that case, I would still not recommend a Crosley or Victrola record player, but rather an Audio-Technica or Sony product.
These expensive record players may have features you don’t really need. For example, wireless Sonos speaker compatibility is useless if you don’t have Sonos speakers in your home.
On the other hand, if you buy something really expensive, like in the $500 to $1000 range, you may not always get your money’s worth. It may perform well, but you’re likely getting a turntable that performs just as well as one that costs a lot less. It may just look flashier or have brand recognition that drives up the price. These expensive record players may also have features you don’t really need. For example, wireless Sonos speaker compatibility is useless if you don’t have Sonos speakers in your home.
But sometimes, a more expensive record player can preserve your records better and sound better. If you have a valuable record collection that you bought for a lot of money and is in good condition, you are more likely to keep it in good condition by using a more expensive and well-made turntable. In this case, it is best to find a retailer who knows about record players rather than buying from Amazon or Best Buy.
Overall audio settings are also important
Even a good record player won’t sound good if the speakers are bad.
No matter how much you spend on a record player, if you have bad records or poor quality speakers, your music will not sound any better. The sound quality you get from your setup depends on how reliable every part of that setup is. You will get much better sound from a mid-range turntable with good speakers than from a great turntable with bad speakers.
That doesn’t mean that expensive record players are never worth it. If you can make sure that the turntable you’re looking at is made of high-quality materials, built to last, and has a good reputation, it’s probably worth the money if you have the money to invest in it. Although I think the middle range is the best way to go, it can still be hit or miss.