It’s important to note that not only will cheap $50 systems never sound good, but they could also even damage your records, so in the long run it’s worth it to spend a little more even on a “beginner” turntable.Īfter weeks of testing, this is our favorite entry-level record player:Īll right, before we get into the nitty-gritty of the specs of this record player, let’s get one thing out of the way up front: This is one sexy machine.

However, we tested several entry-level models all under $300 that are ideal for total vinyl beginners looking to buy their first record player or those looking to buy a gift for the audiophile in their life. Finally, there are surface-level reasons for wanting to own a record player as well: It’s fun to go record shopping and find hidden gems in dusty bins, build up a collection and show it all off as a unique centerpiece in your home.īecause record players are arguably the most nuanced of any stereo component, high-end ones easily sell for multiple thousands of dollars. And many audiophiles will argue that you’ll get a fuller sound from playing an album on vinyl versus digitally, perhaps even hearing more instruments, tones or other minute details that sometimes get lost in compressed formats (though this is hotly debated). It lends itself to being more engaged with the music and listening to albums in their entirety as opposed to skipping around tracks.

Heck, even Barnes & Noble sells records.īut why has the popularity continued? Well, for starters, manually playing a record can be an extremely satisfying and intimate experience - a feeling that hasn’t changed in a century. Vinyl records have had such a resurgence, in fact, that brands like Vinyl Me, Please now offer record of the month subscription services, you can buy your own personalized LP and there’s even an annual Record Store Day when limited-edition vinyl releases can be purchased from local shops.

In just the first half of 2020, there was $232.1 million in vinyl LP and EP sales in the US, far exceeding the total revenue for CD sales during the same time. Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account

Vintage vinyl record players for sale