Turntables vs Record Players: The Rise of Turntables

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Why are turntables making a comeback? Which is better: turntables vs record players?

The turntable as we know it today has been around for many decades. Fast-forward to the present and we still find ourselves enjoying vinyl records.

No wonder their market is up and their demand is on the rise. And it seems like people are not going to stop buying turntables anytime soon.

They like the nostalgia for the era of record players and we cannot blame them for it. But how and when did the rising trend in vinyl sales start?

A Brief History

Before Thomas Edison came up with the idea of the phonograph in 1877, it was a French inventor who started the concept during the 1850s.

In 1857, Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville showcased his phonautograph. It used a vibrating diaphragm and stylus to record sound waves by tracing them on sheets of paper.

But it could only visualise sound waves and not play them back. This is when Edison’s invention of the phonograph was born.

Initially, the phonograph included a grooved cylinder wrapped in tin foil as the recording surface. A hand crack was also attached, enabling the cylinder to be turned.

But Edison soon swapped out tinfoil for wax for improved sound and durability. Ten years later, the gramophone was the next thing along the turntable line.

It is a later form of a phonograph patented by Emile Berliner in 1887. A gramophone uses a needle to trace spiral grooves onto a cylinder.

But the cylinders were replaced by flat discs made of rubber. The records were then made of shellac, but the shortage of resin during World War II prompted manufacturers to press on vinyl instead.

The golden era of vinyl began in the 1970s. However, with the popularity of cassettes in the 1980s, followed by CDs, the demand for vinyl went down.

But the way most people listen to music has changed, and vinyl has made a comeback.

Turntables and Vinyl Revival

Turntables and physical vinyl records have surpassed CD sales, as per The Manual. This means CD sales have dropped dramatically for the past few years, while sales for vinyl records continue to increase.

There is something about classic records and turntables that takes people on a journey back over a century. Also, you cannot turn down the classics.

The revival of turntables and vinyl has resulted in an unprecedented resurgence in the aged format. Young and old music lovers have discovered the beauty of physical media and listening to a piece of music in an old-fashioned way.

With a smartphone coupled with a music streaming app (e.g. Tidal, Spotify, Apple Music), you can pull up any song in a matter of seconds. But with a record, you are going for a non-digital route, which many seem to favour and appreciate more at present.

To play records, you have to remove the record from its sleeve and open the top of the turntable player. Then place the vinyl and set the stylus.

It gives you a rare experience when it comes to listening to music; this time not as the backdrop but as the activity.

In the past, a record player might have been seen as a luxury item—even today, as high-quality turntables are high-priced. The possible reasons for this are twofold:

• Better quality with more advanced features
• They are in high demand

Think about it. More people are embracing this classic approach to listening to music, and they keep adding turntables to their wishlist despite the price tag.

According to The Vinyl Factory, Amazon reported it sold more turntables than any other home audio product last Christmas. It appears that the demand for turntables will continue to rise and become more popular.

Turntables vs Record Players

Starting out with vinyl can get a bit confusing. For one, the device that you put your records on is called both a turntable and a record player.

The terms turntable and record player are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinct difference. Let us start with turntables.

A turntable includes the platter that spins the record. It also comes with the tonearm or cartridge that picks up the music carved into the record.

It is not an all-in-one record playing unit, as it needs a separate preamp, amplifier, and speakers to play records.

In contrast, a record player is an all-in-one device. It does not need any external components to play records.

This means the turntable, preamp, amplifier, and speakers are all bundled into one unit. Record players are often portable, too.

Turntable explained

A traditional turntable setup consists of the following to play vinyl records:

• Preamp
• Amplifier
• Speakers

There is a small electrical signal called PHONO, which is the output audio source of most turntables. In this signal, the preamp boosts the tiny part of it so it can be inputted to an amplifier or receiver.

The amplifier then strengthens the signal further to drive the speakers. Lastly, the speakers convert the power amplified signal to music.

Note: Speakers that have in-built amplifiers are called power speakers.

Depending on the model, there can be additional components for a turntable. But listed below are the basic ones:

• Plinth. The base of the turntable.
• Platter. The part of the turntable that spins.
• Tonearm. The part that holds the cartridge and moves it across the records as it plays. It is connected to the plinth on one end.
• Cartridge. It holds the stylus and converts its movement into an electrical signal. A stylus, also known as the needle, digs into the grooves carved into the records and moves with them.
• Speed selector. It selects the speed at which the turntable spins. It allows the device to play from 33 RPM, 45 RPM to 78 RPM records.

Some turntable units include a preamp and outputs a LINE level signal, as opposed to PHONO. It is also possible for you to change some models and upgrade the stylus and cartridge.

This is a great feature as it let you replace your worn out stylus or upgrade the cartridge for better sound quality.

Record player explained

A record player includes a turntable, preamp, amplifier and speakers. Considering that everything is all set, cables are not necessary to play records.

But unlike with turntables, there are only a few options to change or upgrade the components of record players. In particular, adjusting the cartridge alignment and stylus.

This is because everything is fixed from the factory.

The Bottom Line: Which Is Better?

The answer will depend on your personal taste and needs. Everyone has different criteria for how to score this question.

But generally, we think it is safe to say that turntables are better.

Sure, record players may be cheaper and easier to use and carry with you. But if you are someone who loves to have options for upgrades, they are not the best option.

Here are our top reasons why we favour turntables over record players:

1. The build quality

Considering that record players are built light and portable, chances are the quality is substandard. They have everything included and are low priced. But turntables, in general, have better build quality and are built to last.

2. Sound quality

Most record players have small built-in speakers, producing lower tones (bass). The sound quality is usually at the lower end of the spectrum. Meanwhile, a reasonably priced turntable with a set of active speakers and a built-in preamp will exceed the sound quality of a record player.

You also have the option to connect a turntable to higher quality components. This allows you to set up a stereo with much better sound quality.

3. The ultimate physical format

There is nothing quite to owning a physical copy of your favourite records on vinyl. Although CDs are now a classic too, many are still drawn to vinyl records.

The reason? Well, vinyl was the epitome of the record format. The large artwork and the ritual of flipping a disc from one side to the other. Indeed, it has a tangible quality that cannot be replicated in the digital realm.

4. Mastered with better dynamics

Many are arguing online which has better dynamics: vinyl vs CDs. Though it is given that digital music is capable of a much greater dynamic range, the truth is, some records are.

5. Broadens your music taste

Unlike digital music, buying a record is a gamble. The moment you pay for it, you do not know if it will become your favourite album or not.

It does, however, make you more invested in the music, and you are likely to carve out dedicated time to listen to it. It is like looking for a random book in a vintage bookshop and finding a copy that interests you.

The verdict

Turntables allow us to slow down and listen to music in a unique setting once in a while. The vinyl trend is likely to become a staple, especially in homes where people value music.

To many, the superior sound quality and physical collection are enough to justify a vinyl investment. But that is not to say there are no advantages to other retro music players, such as record players.

Many may have just been won over by the benefits of a vinyl record collection.

Get Your Turntables Here!

On the hunt for the best turntables on the market? We can help you choose the ideal record players for you!

If you love listening to the high-quality sound of classic vinyl records, we have turntable units. Or check out the remarkable Ortofon OM 5E Cartridge and Stylus to improve or repair your existing turntable or record player.

 

Audio Technica LP60X Belt Drive Turntable – Preamp Output

Product code: GA3010

The Audio Technica LP60X Belt Drive Turntable is a low-cost, user-friendly turntable. It can play both 33-1/3 and 45 RPM records and has a built-in switchable phono preamp.

It has anti-resonance and a die-cast aluminium platter. The tonearm base and headshell redesign allow for improved tracking and reduced resonance.

Fitted with an ATN3600L stylus, this turntable has proven itself over many years as a solid workhorse performer in many record stores around the world! It is the preferred player for demo use because it simply works and works well.

 

Ortofon OM 5E Cartridge and Stylus

Product code: GA2050

The Ortofon OM 5E is a moving magnet cartridge for general-purpose replacement. It features an elliptical stylus that provides balanced and distortion-free playback.

The elliptical diamonds can follow the groove oscillations more accurately than spherical shapes. This results in better tracking and less distortion.

 

Audio Technica LP2X Fully Auto Turntable with Preamp

Product code: GA3012 (No longer available)

Featuring Hi-Fi features, this turntable provides breathtaking sonic quality at an affordable price. If you are looking for an easy-to-use HiFi system performance turntable, this unit is ideal for you!

It is easy to use, provides good performance, and is affordable. You can even upgrade the turntable’s cartridge.

The Audio Technica LP2X unit is packed with fantastic features that you will enjoy for years to come. The included accessories are also a big plus!

Indeed, it is the ideal fully-automatic turntable for your home stereo system. So, what are you waiting for? Grab yours now!

This article was originally published in September 2021 and has been updated.