12 Stylish Record Players Worthy of Any Spot in Your Home (2024)

FAQs

Are old record players worth anything? ›

On eBay and other auction and vintage sites, you'll find plenty of vintage record players that have commanded four figures, some topping $3,000.

A turntable is actually part of a record player: It houses the platter that holds (and spins) your record while it plays. Unlike a record player, though, a turntable does not come with a built-in preamp, amplifier or speaker — all of these come together in a record player to simplify the experience.

Today, many houses across North America are inclined to vinyl trends and own record players or a turntable. Turntables' popularity has resurfaced as beloved icons in our digitally-saturated lives.

Thorens TD-125 MKll

Thorens is one of the oldest and most revered turntable manufacturers, with a history that dates back to the late 19th century, and the Swiss hi-fi company (now relocated to Germany) continues to make turntables today. The Thorens TD-125 MK II is one of its most iconic models.

Yes. Records from the 60s and 70s are often worth a lot of money if they're kept in good condition or have any additional rarity or value, like artist signatures. It still depends on the record's condition, rarity and market demands, but on average, 60s and 70s records are going to be more sought after than most.

A phonograph, later called a gramophone (as a trademark since 1887, as a generic name in the UK since 1910), and since the 1940s a record player, or more recently a turntable, is a device for the mechanical and analogue reproduction of recorded sound.

Ultimately, the choice boils down to the individual. Investing in a vintage model might be ideal if you prioritise familiarity and the warm, comforting sound of vintage turntables. On the other hand, if you value ease of use and an array of modern features, a new turntable is likely the better fit.

Vinyl records from the '50s and '60s are very collectible. These records are from the “golden era” of the vinyl record timeline, made famous by the greatest musicians in history—The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown and Bob Dylan to name a few. Old 78 RPM records from the '20s can also be collectible.

Neither came close to the quality of the speakers featured in our best bookshelf speakers guide, but the Victrola had a much flatter response than the Crosley. The Victrola showed a reasonably flat response over an audio range from about 80 Hz to 15 kHz, versus about 180 Hz to 5.8 kHz for the Crosley.

Belt-drive turntables are favored by audiophiles seeking a high-quality listening experience. Conversely, direct-drive turntables have the motor directly connected to the platter. This design provides more consistent speeds and higher torque, making them ideal for serving as a DJ turntable for scratch performances.

What companies make good record players? ›

While our pick for best record player overall is made by Rega, don't forget about Pro-Ject which also boasts an accomplished range, while Technics and Clearaudio dominate the high-end record player sector.

People bought 43 million vinyl records last year, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). That's 6 million more than the number of CDs sold in 2023, marking the second time since 1987 that's happened and reflecting the steady 17-year-running growth of vinyl sales.

In a surprising turn of events, Records sales experienced a 17th consecutive year of growth, defying industry expectations. This year has reassured experts that the vinyl market did not hit a natural plateau after surging during the pandemic, which caused a 108% increase in 2021.

Turntables. A turntable has a seemingly simple task – spin the record at the right speed, and allow the stylus to track the groove in the right way by having the cartridge swing across the record in the right place while applying the right amount of pressure on the stylus.

Pretty much every turntable you'll find these days is going to be compatible with 7" and 12" records and will be able to play at 33 1/3 and 45 RPM. So if you're new to vinyl you're going to be okay with anything you find here on our website!

Lastly, most audiophiles prefer the silent motor of modern record players, resulting in crisp sound, while others enjoy the purring deck spin of vintage models. Overall, we think a well-built modern turntable will create a higher quality sound, but the history of vintage record players has a very alluring nostalgia.

To put it simply – yes, cheap turntables can ruin your vinyl records. While this won't be the case for every model out there, the risk certainly does increase if the turntable has been made with cheap materials.