The warm, detail-rich sound was easily among the best we heard while testing, though it is necessary to add a separate phono stage and speakers. There’s also a 78rpm belt included in the box if you fancy digging out your grandparents’ old records.

This one comes with height-adjustable metal feet, a heavier steel platter and best of all, a new electronic speed control to swap between 33 and 45rpm records at the touch of a button. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.Ī treat to look at and play, this Pro-Ject turntable is an upgraded version of the company’s award-winning Debut model and is well worth the extra cash. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. We used the Sonos Five speaker and a Pro-Ject Phono Box S2 where required to test the turntables below, with a range of records including ones by Aphex Twin, Radiohead and Bob Marley. You’ll also need a separate amplifier (known as a phono stage or preamp), unless the player has a built-in preamp. However, budding DJs should only consider direct drive decks to control speeds and easily stop, start and scratch records.īear in mind that nearly all systems require an additional external speaker, though some turntables have Bluetooth connectivity for an easy wireless solution. If you’re nervous about damaging your vinyl, look for an automatic turntable to operate with the touch of a button rather than manually lifting and lowering the tone arm. 6 best DAB radios for kitchen discos and garden listeningĬheaper plug-and-play models are a good option for anyone buying their first record player, while those wanting to transfer music onto other devices will require a USB port.13 best Bluetooth speakers for every budget.11 best smart speakers for virtual assistance at home and on the go.

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Vintage record players for sale uk