Vinyl is definitely back in fashion and Crosley players are now in the front row in the so-called “Vinyl Revolution”. In fact, although vinyl has suffered a major crisis with the arrival of CDs and then digital files, it seems that now the sale of music in this format has grown enormously.
As a result, more and more brands are deciding to dare and to create more turntable models in the face of this high demand. Crosley is one of them: he has never stopped believing in the vinyl record and is now trying to breathe new life into this analog format through its high-quality products.
Right below we had listed out the best models of Crosley players.
Buying Guide to Select the Best Crosley Player
After introducing you to various models of Crosley players, some more elegant, others simpler, it can now be useful to know a little more about these devices.
In this section, we will, therefore, answer some of the most frequently asked questions, so as to dispel any doubts and help you choose the ideal model for you. Keep reading!
When Did the First Crosley Player appear?
The name Crosley derives from Powel Crosley, American inventor, and businessman who founded the Crosley Radio Company. Crosley did everything he could to make radios affordable for all budgets and concentrated on finding a way to make them at a lower price.
It was resurrected by Modern Marketing Concept in 1984, which set out to carry on the tradition of seeking the best possible value for money. The first turntables were launched in 1992 when the CD had now replaced vinyl.
Different turntable models were introduced to the market and, despite the hostile period to vinyl, the company did not give up, waiting for the wind to turn in its favor. And that moment came.
For about a decade, the vinyl format has grown dramatically in sales. Crosley is now one of the leading turntable manufacturers in the United States and also markets radios, jukeboxes, and old-fashioned phones.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying a Crosley Player?
As happens with all manufacturers, Crosley also presents different models and ranges of turntables. And as with all brands, you will find positive and negative aspects of the various products.
We want you to find out clearly what the turntables of this brand can offer you, so, at the time of purchase, you will already know what to expect.
Advantages
- Value for money
- Design vintage inspired by the classic turntable
- Different models suitable for different user profiles
- Most of its models are portable
- It is one of the largest producers in the world
- In recent times they have combined tradition with the best technology
Disadvantages
- To ensure the best sound, models from the higher ranges must be purchased
- The best selling model has been criticized for the excessive pressure it exerts on vinyl
- The materials with which the models of the lower ranges are made are of rather poor quality
What Type of Traction Does Most Crosley Player Models Have?
Today there are three types of traction: pulley (less and less used), belt, and direct. Although direct drive has been in widespread use lately, Crosley has chosen to continue using belt drive in most of its models.
The reason is very simple. This type of traction consists of a belt that connects the motor and the plate. With this system, higher rotation speeds are achieved, absorbing the vibrations produced by the motor. Even the most advanced models of the brand use this system, whose operation, as you have seen, offers numerous benefits.
What Is the Function of The Arm?
The turntable arm serves as head support. Thanks to its mobility, it allows the stylus to travel along the disc grooves. The best ones also prevent the discs from undergoing excessive pressure, which could lead to gradual deterioration.
They can be made of different materials and include various counterweights and a balancing system. If we talk about the best Crosley turntables, it should be emphasized that, for example, the C10 model has an aluminum arm with the possibility of adjusting its counterweight.
This same type of arm is present on other models such as the C20. The cheaper ones instead use arms made with more modest materials.
Which Cartridge Features the Best Crosley Player?
There is no use having an expensive appliance if you do not take care of this essential part or replace it with another with a good performance. This element is in fact indispensable to obtain a sound of good quality and also to better maintain your vinyl collection.
It transforms the mechanical energy of the stylus and the disc into electrical energy which the loudspeaker then converts into sound vibrations. Crosley equips his turntables with different types of heads. Its more advanced models, to obtain the highest quality sound, are equipped with Ortofon brand heads.
For example, the C10 model includes an Ortofon OM5e, while the C20 a high-performance OM10. Each printhead manufacturer offers a number of usage precautions and maintenance recommendations.
Purchase Criteria
At this point in our guide, you got to know some Crosley turntable models and, among other things, you discovered where this brand comes from and how long its products have been on the market. Let’s now analyze some purchase criteria to consider before choosing the perfect turntable for you.
- Utility
- Speakers
- Features
- Design
- Connectivity
Utility
The first thing to do is to ask yourself if you really need a turntable. Remember that an appliance of this type requires a certain investment, but also good maintenance to be carried out periodically. In addition, since obviously to be able to use it you will have to buy discs, also take this expense into account.
Be careful, though, because it’s not just about investment or maintenance: you also have to think about the type of turntable you want. Do you want to have the opportunity to take it with you somewhere? Are you looking for one with an interesting design? How important is good audio quality for you? )
Speakers
You must know that there are Crosley models with integrated speakers and others that do not have them. Those that have built-in speakers are normally low in power and designed for small rooms. Obviously there is the possibility to replace them, by purchasing others, to obtain greater quality and power.
Other models of turntables, some of which are among the most advanced of the brand, do not incorporate any speaker, so you will have to connect one purchased separately. On the market you can find several: simply connect the cables to the RCA output and you can immediately enjoy your turntable to the maximum.
Features
Many variables come into play in this section. All will determine the quality of the turntable at each level. Of course, you will also need to take a look at your budget and what you want to get from the device.
Do not forget to check the type of traction, the materials of the body and the plate, and whether or not it has different speeds. It is also essential to know what type of head it incorporates, if it uses some vibration system, to know the type of arm.
The pressure exerted by the stylus on the disc if it has a case or another type of housing, the type of motor, and so on. A priori it may seem complicated, but following our directions, the choice will be easier than you think.
Design
Crosley has always attached vital importance to the design of its turntables. As a result, you can find some of them in retro style in a briefcase, console, or with a clear minimalist imprint. In the medium-high range, Crosley placed greater emphasis on the type of materials used and the sound quality. You will certainly be spoiled for choice!
Connectivity
Crosley player s have chosen to follow a classic tradition, to which some modern features have been added if we think of the technology used in some models. As for connectivity, they incorporate RCA outputs and some have been equipped with Bluetooth receiver, AUX output, connection for earphones, and USB port.
