Today the sound is managed almost entirely digitally. In countertendency, however, analogue realities survive, one of these is the turntable, returned to success after decades of abandonment, thanks to the rediscovery of vinyl. It seems strange, but while much more modern devices such as CD players are disappearing, the turntable is experiencing a new spring.
This device, which has survived decades of technological progress, has been improved over time. The merit is attributed to the beautiful sound it reproduces and in a small part also to the whole procedure that accompanies the moment of listening, very different from a simple click.
Turntables are very popular among collectors and vinyl enthusiasts, as well as vintage lovers. Stay with us if you want to find out all about these devices and which are the best turntables on the market. Here we will be listing the top 10 best automatic turntables.
- Fully automatic operation with 2 speeds: 33-1/3 rpm and 45 rpm
- Anti-resonance, die-cast aluminum platter
- Redesigned tonearm base and headshell for improved tracking and reduced resonance
- Integral Dual Moving Magnet phono cartridge with replaceable diamond stylus (ATN3600L)
- High-fidelity audio with Bluetooth wireless technology
- EASY OPERATION: Effortlessly enjoy your favorite records with one-step auto start, stop and return
- TWO SPEEDS: 33 1/3 rpm and 45 rpm, with the 45 rpm adaptor stowed neatly in a slot beneath the deck
- HIGH QUALITY AUDIO: Built in switchable phono output / line out phono preamp and 3 gain settings
- USB RIPPING: Rip vinyl records to digital MP3 files on your computer to take a favorite LP on the go
- WIRELESS CONNECTION: Connect to wireless speakers, headphones or other Bluetooth enabled devices. Supports phono and line output...
- Experience the high fidelity audio of vinyl
- Fully automatic belt drive turntable operation with 2 speeds: 33 1/3, 45 RPM
- Anti resonance, die cast aluminum platter
- Redesigned tone arm base and head shell for improved tracking and reduced resonance
- Ac adapter handles AC/DC conversion outside of the chassis, reducing noise in the signal chain.
- Fully Automatic tonearm lifts with the push of a button.
- Solid aluminum construction with ball–bearings allow the tonearm to smoothly lift from rest to album.
- Solid MDF Plinth construction with internal vibration absorber.
- Die–Cast Aluminum platter with heavy rubber mat.
- Take your analog listening experience to the next level with advanced features not typically found on automatic turntables, Damped...
- Balanced straight tone arm comes with a 1/2" mount universal headshell and AT91R Dual Moving Magnet phono cartridge, giving you...
- Hydraulically damped lift control allows the stylus to be precisely and safely lowered and raised at any point on a record
- Offers fully automatic operation; simply press the Start button to begin play and the Stop button to lift and return the tone arm...
- Constructed of anti-vibration damping materials that limits low-frequency feedback
- The newly developed mechanism of the TD 102 A guarantees the lowest possible frictional resistance of all mechanical components
- High sound quality and a long service life complete the typical properties you have been used to from THORENS for many years
- Motor: Electronically controlled dc motor
- Phono Preamplifier: Moving magnet switchable
- Fully Automatic Functions Of The Tonearm And Motor Control
- Fixed Settings Out Of The Factory
- Precise Aluminium Die-cast
- Rubber Mountings For Vibration Decoupling
- Fully automatic belt-drive turntable operation with two speeds: 33-1/3, 45 RPM
- High-fidelity audio with Bluetooth wireless technology
- Connects wirelessly to speakers and other devices equipped with Bluetooth wireless technology or to wired audio systems and...
- Compatible with the high-quality Qualcomm aptX Adaptive audio and Qualcomm aptX audio codecs
- Balanced straight tonearm with hydraulically damped lift control and rest
- Fully Automatic Wireless, USB and Analog Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable with two speeds: 33-1/3 and 45 RPM
- High-fidelity audio with Bluetooth wireless technology
- Experience your vinyl’s high-fidelity audio directly or convert it to digital
- Integral Dual Moving Magnet phono cartridge with replaceable diamond stylus (ATN3600L)
- Includes: Dust cover, felt mat, platter (with drive belt), 45 RPM adapter, RCA audio cable (approx. 1.2 m (3.9')), AC adapter...
- REDISCOVER YOUR PASSION FOR VINYL -Listen to your analog music in a brand new way with this rigid diecast aluminum turntable that...
- LOWER VIBRATIONS DRIVE BETTER PERFORMANCE - This slim and sleek turntable is designed with a heavier base construction that helps...
- SMOOTH & GENTLE AUTOMATIC MOTIONS - The automatic startup feature allows the turntable to begin play. With the touch of a button,...
- BUILT-IN PHONO EQUALIZER creates an open, enveloping sound stage that enlivens your vinyl collection while staying true to the...
- EASY INSTALLATION & SETUP - Assemble the turntable, set it up in your living room or home theater with simple connections and...
How to Choose Best Automatic Turntables?
The great music fans claim that the quality of listening guaranteed by a vinyl record is still unparalleled, capable of arousing emotions precluded to the audio recorded on a CD.
For this reason, records, although now reduced to a niche in the music market, have never disappeared and, indeed, in recent years, they have overwhelmingly come back into fashion. And with them the turntables, whose quality is essential for a perfect reproduction of the sound.
That’s why we have compared those that are the best models on the market for us, drawing up a guide and a ranking with its review.
Goodbye Vibes
The most critical aspect in choosing a turntable is that it can extract the highest number of “information” from the vinyl and to do this it must be able to interpret the data present in the grooves of the disc. Any vibration, even small, internal or external, can be interference to the correct reading and therefore to obtain a perfect sound.
The first choice to operate to minimize the risk of vibrations is whether to buy a model with a rigid or suspended frame. Both represent a valid solution and, more than anything else, they differ from each other not so much for the ability to contrast vibrations (excellent in both cases) but for the philosophy linked to their design.
Some turntable manufacturers believe that a rigid structure best hinders the propagation of vibration. In contrast, others believe that the most effective insulation is guaranteed by a sub-frame suspended on small metal springs.
The choice depends very much on personal tastes, and we can only add that rigid turntables are more comfortable to assemble and “configure”.
Another essential element is the arm, which can be straight, S or tangential but, from this point, it was the market that made a choice, given that the vast majority of those installed on the turntables are straight.
Matter of Head
The decisive element in the choice of a turntable is its head, which can be considered the link between you and the record, a sort of translator who interprets information and transforms it into music.
There are two types: MM (Mobile Magnet) and MC (Mobile Coil). The latter is the one that, on average, ensures better sound quality because it has a much lower output voltage but, on the other hand, requires a compatible amplifier.
It also does not allow the simple replacement of the stylus once worn (which is possible with the MM) but requires the purchase of a brand new head that could have an excellent price.
Before choosing the right turntable, also evaluate the ease of finding spare parts for the cartridge, so as not to have to go crazy looking for a stylus …
What Kind of Traction?
Also, in this case, the choice is reduced to two models: direct drive and belt driven and, once again, the market has had its say with the best brands that favour belt models that guarantee more excellent insulation between the motor, from which they come many vibrations, the plate and the head.
Direct traction has probably a more exceptional ability to eliminate vibrations but to produce the motors and implement the insulation techniques involves rather high costs which are then reverberated on the sale cost of the turntable. The comparison between the prices of the models with the two tractions is cruel to the advantage of those with a belt.
The final choice on which turntable to buy, however, also depends a lot on your ears and their sensitivity. Never as in the case of a product of this type, in fact, the ability to listen before buying is essential.
Which Frame?
When you are about to choose a turntable, the first dilemma you face is the chassis, which can be rigid or suspended. Now there are three ways: to stay in doubt, to go ahead and cross and hope for the best to adhere with conviction to one of the two schools of thought.
That of the rigid frame believes that it is this type that better absorbs vibrations, they also think the members of the suspended frame school. In essence, the issue has never been resolved.
That said, beyond the frame, which will undoubtedly have its impact, even if nobody knows which one, relying on a suitable quality device , the problem of vibrations will not arise.
The Third Way
What we have just said could be wiped out by a new technology that we consider a third way. The turntable sector has been shocked by a fascinating invention and we do not hide that we have been intrigued and fascinated by such genius. We are talking about the flying plate (not to be confused with the flying saucer).
We will not do long by throwing ourselves into complicated technicalities, and we will make it pure and above all, transparent.
The operation of this innovative turntable is based on a magnetic leavening system thanks to which the disk floats so even an earthquake will blow the track, and the vibrations will no longer be a problem, with the peace of mind of the schools above of thought.
Digitize the Disc Collection
The fact that you decide to buy a turntable does not necessarily mean being a traditionalist and a fundamentalist. You can love the warm sound of vinyl and at the same time appreciate the one produced by CD as well as the digital format.
So, if you don’t despise the digital format, you can opt for a turntable that can interface with your computer, and allow you to listen to MP3 files, in addition to digitizing the collection of records you have.
A Sound Hi-Fi System
We want to reserve the last paragraph for what we think is an important detail. Whether the turntable is of good quality or not, it becomes all in vain if it is not accompanied by a sound system.
Which includes a high-level amplifier and speakers no less. So to make the most of the potential of the turntable, it is essential that all the necessary devices are of medium / high range.
