Turntable tested

Best-selling turntables

What is a turntable?

A record player - actually: record player - is a device with which you can play records. Turntables usually work electrically, when the record is played an analog electrical signal is produced.

To reproduce the analog signal, a amplifier as well as a Loudspeakers needed. These can be used internally in the Loudspeakers be built in or connected externally.

Before electric record players were invented, records could be played using mechanical devices: gramophones and phonographs. That began around the second decade of the 20th century gramophone against the phonograph.

The German-born Emil Berliner, who received US citizenship in 1881, is considered the inventor of the gramophone. In 1887, Berliner applied for a patent for the record player.

The first electrically driven turntables that were no longer operated with a crank were on the market from 1920. However, the first electric pickups were not available until 1926.

Since these two inventions were not directly related - for example, pickups were also used for the Radio used - but not all gramophones were necessarily available with both electrical components, i.e. with an electrical drive and with an electrical pickup.

The first records that were played on record players were made of hard rubber, but their production was replaced by the production of records made of shellac, the so-called shellac records, towards the end of the 19th century.

The shellac discs dominated the record market until the 1950s, sometimes even until the 1960s. Since the 1940s, vinyl records have also been produced in the USA.

Originally, vinyl records were made because they wanted to make records for children that weren't easily damaged.
With the changeover to the new type of PVC discs, turntables were also needed that were also suitable for vinyl in the test.

Because the grooves on the shellac records were wider, the turntables had to be equipped with different needles. In addition, the speed of 78 rpm for shellac records was different from that of vinyl records, which were 33,3 and 45 rpm, respectively.

Until the early 1980s, most turntables were equipped in such a way that they could play both types of disks.

Until the 1960s, record players enjoyed a monopoly position as sound carriers, only then were compact cassettes with corresponding playback devices invented and made popular. Records were even more supplanted by the compact disc, which became widespread in the 1980s.

How does a turntable work?

A turntable consists of a turntable that spins at a set speed. The record is placed on this turntable. A needle made of metal, a sapphire or a diamond scans the record, on which the tones are read from the grooves.

Since the 1990s, too Laser used for this. With the help of a mechanical pickup, the vibrations of the record are converted into electrical currents. This is an analog one Signal.

The pickup is attached to a so-called tone arm, which is either manually or automatically placed on the record.

The retraction of this tone arm at the end of the record can also be automatic or initiated manually.

The drive of the turntable can work in different ways. There is a direct drive, a belt drive and a friction wheel drive.

For the end user of turntables, however, the operating modes are more important in principle. A distinction is made here between manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic. With fully automatic turntables, all you have to do is press a button, the turntable starts up and the arm automatically slides to the beginning of the record.

You only have to set the size of the record, single or long-playing record, and the desired speed.

After playing the record, the tone arm is automatically moved back to its starting position. In a semi-automatic turntable, compared to automatic devices, only this last movement is performed by the turntable.

With the manual devices, all movements are carried out by hand. This means that the user himself carries out the placement of the needle on the record and that too

Advantages & areas of application of turntables

A record player is used wherever analog music is heard. In particular, music lovers also have the peak times CD continued to listen to music on a turntable.

In a test with a record player, sensitive ears can hear exactly whether a certain piece of music is played on the record player or, in comparison, with a CD player concerns.

For lovers of classical music or jazz, it is often just a tradition to use a turntable and listen to the music with the typical noise that old records bring with them.

But the records themselves also have a certain appeal as a material sound carrier. There are numerous record collectors who own hundreds or even thousands of records. In addition, records for music fans from certain musical genres are simply good Ton.

These include, for example, techno or heavy metal, but also jazz. Accordingly, turntables can be found in the living rooms and bedrooms of music fans. But, since records have the reputation of delivering better sound, good turntables can also be found in the professional sector.

For example, DJs use turntables that perform very well in tests. However, these are not entry-level products, but turntables that are specially designed to be used professionally.

Music experts and lovers swear by good turntables. But what advantages do the turntables offer in the test compared to other audio players? We have highlighted a few advantages for a turntable recommendation for you:

Maintenance and repair

Many turntables in the test are extremely flexible and expandable. Because with a record player, the individual components can be exchanged. So you don't have to throw away the entire turntable just because the needle no longer works or the cartridge is of poor quality.

Turntables are compared to CDplayers are the clear winners here.

Digital sound for free

You can't decide if you want the music as MP3, as CD or want to buy a record? If you own a record player, you can benefit from several offers at the same time. Many retailers - especially online - offer you the opportunity to download the relevant songs as free downloads in MP3 format when you buy the vinyl.

The sound

The turntable test shows that vinyl sounds much better on a turntable compared to MP3 or CD. Fine ears perceive it Klang as warmer and livelier.

Great look

If you like it stylistically in a retro look, the turntable fits perfectly into the room. Decoratively placed in a beautiful spot, the record player looks homely and stylishly enhances the ambience.

What should I look out for when buying a turntable?

Before you go straight to the nearest store to buy your new record player, convinced of the advantages of the record player, let me say one thing in advance: you should find out a little about record players before you buy them.

Because a turntable test from 2019 showed that it is important to consider a wide range of criteria when buying the device when it comes to turntables. We have compiled the most important criteria for you.

Turntable in the test: sound

This criterion is not just an objective criterion, because there are different musical feelings that are purely subjective. After all, it is not for nothing that the saying goes: You can argue about taste.

In general, the difference in sound from a record player is greater than that from digital playback devices. In a turntable test by Chip, for example, it is found that some turntables suppress the typical crackling of the record better than others.

Also, on some turntables, the highs sound better, while on others, the bass is emphasized more.

Turntable in the test: Easy to start up

This criterion is crucial for a turntable recommendation: It may be the best turntable, but if the commissioning is not feasible for a technical layman, then it cannot be included in the best list for turntables.

After all, the finest sound from the best turntables is of no use to anyone if you can't even connect the turntable because it's so complex. The experts from the Chip turntable test see it similarly.

Turntable in the test: Convenient operation

Just as with the criterion of simple commissioning, the focus of interest is also on the user when it comes to convenient operation. This involves, for example, the distinction, which has already been explained above, between a manual, a semi-automatic and an automatic turntable.

Of course it's much more convenient when you can turn on a turntable with the push of a button and everything runs by itself. The turntables are also considered more user-friendly in an external turntable test from 2019 if they automatically retract the arm after playing the record.

But such a convenient turntable is not the best for everyone. DJs, for example, have completely different needs and prefer to determine for themselves where the arm of the turntable is located.

Turntable in the test: phono preamplifier included

Good turntables should also have this criterion if they are to be particularly easy to use: one phone-preamp is needed so that the sound no longer sounds so distorted and can be amplified.

A turntable test from 2019 explains that even good turntables are otherwise not compatible with conventional systems or speakers. With the preamp you can avoid nasty surprises.

Because if the phono preamplifier is not already installed, you may have to buy additional devices.

Turntable in the test: possibility for Digitization of turntables

As we will explain further below, there are two types of turntables nowadays: those that digitizing music suitable, and those that are traditionally dedicated to analog playback only.

This distinction can also be found as an essential criterion in a record player test from 2019. When making a purchase, it is crucial for you to be clear about what you need your turntable for.

Because with a record player that has an interface for digitization, you can easily transfer your albums from the record to your computer. At the same time, you have the option of converting your music into a compatible format for use on the go.

Turntable in the test: drive type

As already explained above, the type of drive can be a direct drive, a belt drive or a friction wheel drive. The type of drive is particularly important if you want to work as a DJ with a turntable.

Because in these cases it is important that the turntable starts up as quickly as possible and reacts quickly. As a rule, these properties are registered for good turntables that have a direct drive.

Furthermore, it can be said that some music fans consider a direct drive device to be the best turntable, while other music lovers only list belt drive devices in their best turntable lists.

This is where the ghosts fight. In a turntable test by Chip, however, it was found that the turntables in the test were no better or worse if they had one or the other drive.

Turntable FAQ:

1) Which device is considered the best turntable?

If you want to know which is the best turntable or which is at least a good turntable, we recommend that you compare the different turntables. It is often advisable not only to consider this year's record player test, but also to compare the record player test 2016, the record player test 2017 and the record player test 2019.

2) Which grease or oil can be used for the turntable?

A good record player is only a good record player if you take good care of it. There are a few recommendations on the internet that relate to the best or cheapest turntable lubricant. However, we advise you to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. You can usually find the relevant information in the owner's manual or user manual.

3) How can I connect my turntable?

If your turntable has a preamp, you can connect the turntable to any input on your amplifier. However, if your record player does not have a preamplifier, you must ensure that your amplifier or Receiver has a phono input. This means that the device has a built-in preamplifier.

4) Why should turntables be grounded?

A record player should be grounded, otherwise a humming noise can occur. If your receiver or preamplifier has a phono input, you will often find a metal screw that is intended for the ground wire.

5) Which turntable is good for beginners?

If you want to buy a turntable for beginners, then you should read a turntable test that explicitly recommends entry-level models. In the turntable test from Chip, for example, you will also find links to detailed test reports.

What types of turntables are there?

Turntable with USB connection

These turntables represent a class of their own as they are not only designed for listening to records but are also designed to digitize records.

Accordingly, very special points are taken into account with this type of turntable, because, as highlighted in a 2019 turntable test, many music fans only buy this type of turntable so that they can digitize their old record collection.

In this sense, it is more a product that does not primarily serve the purpose of listening to music. Many of these turntables in a test from 2019 were therefore rather average in terms of their sound quality.

However, generalizations should not be made. Because high-end products and really good quality turntables can also be found among the turntables, as a turntable test by Chip from 2019 emphasizes.

Stiftung Warentest even only tested USB devices in the 2010 turntable test. Unfortunately, there is no test available from Stiftung Warentest that provides more recent results.

Direct drive turntable

Directly operated turntables, which are particularly popular in the DJ sector, are equipped with a motor whose axis usually coincides with the axis of the turntable.

But turntables in which the turntable is part of the motor or in which the motor rotation is transmitted to the turntable via gears also belong to the turntables with direct drive.

In a turntable comparison, the turntables with direct drive are particularly convincing because they can run up very quickly. For this reason, they are well suited for the professional sector.

Belt drive turntable

On the other hand, the belt drive is more common for entry-level turntables. The transmission of the rotation of the engine is here with a belt or Band transferred from rubber. The advantage of this type of drive is that the motor and turntable can be decoupled from each other.

However, numerous disadvantages can also be listed, such as synchronous fluctuations or speed drifts. However, these can be counteracted by mechanical constructions. In Germany are currently primarily from the manufacturer DUAL turntable offered with belt drive.

Turntable with friction wheel drive:

With the friction wheel drive, motor rotation is achieved using a rubber wheel. However, since the coupling of the motor to the platter is very strong, the vibrations of the motor can be transmitted to the platter very easily.

The friction wheel drive is hardly common today. If it is used, then more on turntables that can be found in the particularly low price range. However, this drive concept used to be very popular. Almost all well-known record player manufacturers produce playback devices with friction wheel drives.

This is how turntables were tested

If you look around the internet, you will find more than just a turntable test. In the various tests, different test criteria are checked, so that other products are included in the best list for turntables in each record player test.

A turntable test from 2016, for example, was created by big record lovers and is published on the "dein-plattenspieler.de" website. In the turntable test of 2016, the turntable test experts divided the devices into four categories, for each of which a list of the best turntables was created.

In this way, not only one device is chosen as the best turntable, but four. The categories were compared with regard to the following criteria, among others: high processing quality, appealing sound or noble sound, good customer ratings and technical equipment.

The four categories are:

1) Entry-level models

In the record player test, all models with a basic price of less than 200 euros fall into this class. The best turntable here was this one Dual DT 210 USB turntable.

2) Turntables up to 500 euros

In this category there are already upscale players, but they are not yet in the high end area. In this class, the Music Hall mmf 2.3 was able to make a name for itself as the best turntable.

3) Turntables up to 1000 euros

As the category name already suggests, this is where the turntables cost between 500 and 1000 euros. These are turntables from the high-end range, which are suitable for private use. The Thorens TD 206 was the best turntable in this price range.

4) Turntables for DJs

In this category in the 2016 turntable test, those devices were included that are specially built for DJs. In this case, the price was not decisive in the turntable test 2016.

Rather, the suitability for DJ use was of interest here. The SYNQ X-TRM1 DJ turntable leads the list of the best turntables in this segment.

A record player test for 2017 was carried out on the compado.de website. The test included turntables that had a USBConnection had and were therefore aimed at digitizing records.

As criteria for the turntable test 2017, the test expert placed particular value on the usability and function of the individual devices.

Accordingly, not only the turntable itself was decisive in the turntable test 2017, but also the associated software. The record player from Musitrend was chosen as a particularly good record player in the list of the best.

Stiftung Warentest also looked at turntables from the point of view of digitization – however, Stiftung Warentest’s assessment of turntables can no longer be regarded as up-to-date.

Because the record player test is already from 2010. However, the Stiftung Warentest has published a record player comparison test, which was carried out by a British partner organization.

In contrast to publications by Stiftung Warentest, the turntables at the partner organization were assessed according to hardly any objective criteria. The functionality and the sound are primarily mentioned here.

The best turntable in the British list of best turntables is the Rega Planar 2. In the test, turntables with USB are considered separately. A particularly good record player is the device that is designed for the digitization of records Teac TN-180BT(B).

As you can see from the examples, the individual test experts use very different aspects for assessment.

For a turntable comparison, we think above all we have made ourselves smart for you and picked out what we think are the most important aspects that should definitely be taken into account in a turntable test or in a turntable comparison:

packaging and scope of delivery

With this criterion, you can find out in a test for turntables what you get for your money and how well the individual components are packaged. Of course, the packaging is particularly important if you choose a turntable from the comparison that you order online.

With regard to the scope of delivery of a record player, you can count on the following components:

• device base
• Turntable (with belt drive with drive belt)
• pickup system
• needle
• center puck
• counterweight
• platter covering
• cover
• USB cable
• RCA-Cable
• software CD

product performance

When it comes to product performance, the most important thing to consider when testing a turntable is the different possibilities that the turntable offers the user. These include in particular:

• USB interface to Digitalization
• With integrated speaker function
• Suitable for DJs
• Various speed levels (with or without Pitch)

Technical differences:

With regard to the technical differences, particular attention should be paid to the different drive types of the turntables. The turntables in the test reports can usually be assigned to two different drive types:

• belt drive
• Direct drive

Price-Performance Ratio

The price-performance ratio considers the relationship that a record player has in relation to its price compared to the corresponding performance that the device has. The assessment takes into account, for example:

• What's in the box
• Sound or sound quality
• application
• Design
• Technical extras
• Ways to Digitalization

Information on leading manufacturers and brands of turntables

DUAL

DUAL was a German company that was founded in 1907 in St. Georgen in the Black Forest. In the heyday of turntables, the company was able to shine with a workforce of 3.000 people.

At that time, DUAL was the second largest record player manufacturer. But other consumer electronics items were also produced. With the advent of other sound carriers such as CDs and cassettes, however, the company got into trouble.

In addition, the pressure of competition from abroad was increasing, so that the company was dissolved and DUAL was further sold as a brand. The turntables, however, remained unaffected.

To this day, turntables are manufactured by DUAL Phono GmbH, which is a subsidiary of Alfred Fehrenbacher GmbH.

Denon

Denon is a Japanese manufacturer of hi-fi and home theater products. The Kawasaki-based company was founded in 1910. The first products presented were a record and a gramophone.

Denon was attractive in the record sector not only for end users but also for professional use. For example, a record recorder was developed.

Denon has been able to introduce numerous innovations to the Japanese market, such as the first stereo-Records. Since 1969 Denon was also active as a record label.

Technics

Technics is a trade name of Panasonic Corporation. Panasonic was founded in Japan in 1918 and is based in Kadoma. The Technics brand has been around since 1965.

Five years later, the first direct-drive turntable deck was introduced in Japan, called the Technics SP-10. While a large number of products used to be marketed under the Technics name, today, since 2002, only items from Technics DJ equipment can be found.

The record player series Technics SL-1200 is particularly well known, which has established itself as a standard device for club and radio DJs due to some technical features.

Sony

Sony was founded in Tokyo in 1946. The Japanese company operates as an electronics group with a focus on consumer electronics. The transistor radio, for example, which was developed in 1955, was a great success.

Sony is best known for the first Walkman presented in 1979. Nowadays, however, the PlayStation game console is popular as the most successful product. In view of numerous other products from the areas of audio devices, video, televisions, mobile phones or digital cameras, record players take a back seat.

Nevertheless, the group, which is represented worldwide and has over 117.000 employees, still produces turntables to this day.

Karcher

Karcher was founded in 1968. At the beginning, the focus was both on importing and on the in-house production of entertainment electronics. In addition to the audio segment, which also includes turntables, the focus was primarily on TV sets.

A special feature of today's Karcher AG is that the product range not only includes modern audio devices from the digital sector. Because the production of turntables and cassette players will continue to be maintained by the company.

Where is the best place to buy turntables?

Once you have decided to buy a new turntable, you are immediately confronted with the next decision, which is where to buy the turntable in the first place.

There are usually two basic options for this: retail and the Internet. We have put together some advantages and disadvantages for you, which should make it easier for you to decide between the internet and single needles.

If you want to buy a new turntable on the Internet, you will have to reckon with some disadvantages. Because on the Internet you cannot get personal advice from a salesperson who is directly opposite you.

So you can't express your doubts and questions directly. With regard to the lack of physical presence of the turntable, it can also be criticized that neither the design nor the sound can be judged directly.

While you can at least look at the design with the help of photos, you are completely dependent on the opinions of others when it comes to the sound.

But here you come to the advantages, because when buying on the Internet you have an insight into customer reviews or a turntable test from 2016, a turntable test from 2017, a turntable test from 2019 or a cutting-edge turntable test.

You can compare the top list of turntables from different years and weigh up which device is actually a good turntable. Another advantage is that you can find cheaper prices due to the better comparison options.

In addition, the selection on the Internet is huge, you may even find models here that would otherwise not be available in Germany and are imported.

And if you are not convinced by the turntable's design and sound, you can still exercise your right of return.

Advantages of buying online

• Bigger selection
• Better comparisons
• Cheaper prices
• Refund policy
• Research options through tests and comparisons
• Insights into customer reviews

Disadvantages of buying online

• No personal advice
• View by photos only
• No "test listening" possible

If you decide to buy your turntable from a retail store, there are also some advantages and some disadvantages. A clear advantage is certainly that you can get personal advice and possibly even listen to the turntable for a test.

You can also personally convince yourself of the processing and the design. Finally, even impatient buyers will be convinced of the purchase in retail, because here a buy-it-now is possible, ie you can buy the goods and take them home immediately.

However, for these advantages you also have to accept some disadvantages. For example, there are no comparisons.

You can't use a turntable leaderboard to decide what actually makes a good turntable. Instead, you must rely on the turntable recommendation from the seller.

This is of course influenced by the small selection in the shop of your choice, because the salesperson will certainly only recommend a product that he has in stock.

In terms of price, too, you have to take what the store offers you. You have little opportunity for comparison and cannot switch from one store to another like you could do online.

Retail Benefits

• Personal Consulting
• On-site audition
• appraisal of the goods
• Purchase from today to tomorrow

Disadvantages in retail

• No comparison possibilities
• Mandatory price with no alternative
• No research options on site
• Dependence on the statement of the seller
• Small selection

Comparing these pros and cons, we can confidently suggest that you will benefit more from buying online than from a retail store. However, this only applies if you do not absolutely need the turntable today.

In this particular case, our turntable recommendation is: better buy at the nearest retail store!

Cleaning turntables and accessories

Turntables should be cleaned regularly. External parts, such as the protective cover or the housing, can be wiped with a microfiber cloth dampened with a few drops of water. You should use special accessories for the turntable and the needle.

Many advisors swear by cleaning with a special, particularly gentle cloth to remove the dust from the turntable before putting on a record and to wipe the vinyl disc briefly, always working in the direction of the grooves.

Other turntable specialists, on the other hand, recommend buying a special carbon fiber brush for everyday cleaning.
Another special brush is commercially available for cleaning the needle. Extreme care should be taken when cleaning the needle. To do this, read the instructions carefully.

You should also always keep your records clean so you don't contaminate the turntable with dirty records. Different cleaning sets are also available for this purpose. A so-called record washing machine can also be found on the market.

Turntable accessories

A turntable test from 2019 showed that not only the devices themselves should be of very good quality. Even the accessories, such as the Loudspeakers and the HiFisystem to which the turntable is to be connected should be of correspondingly high quality. Important devices for accessories are:

amplifier or Receiver

With this device, the signals from the record player are recorded and sent to the Loudspeakers passed on.

Loudspeakers or boxing

The speakers convert the turntable's electrical signals into sound.

preamp

A preamp is necessary if your amplifier does not have a phono input and if your turntable does not have a built-in preamp.