In case you haven’t heard, vinyl records are back. Although they are far from the cheapest or most convenient way to listen to music, the vinyl record industry is booming. Vinyl records have consistently outsold CD sales for the last few years and that gap only seems to be growing. With this influx of people, there are also plenty that don’t even know how to listen to records.
Why are records making a comeback?
There are thousands of reasons for this popularity surge, but perhaps the biggest reason is digital fatigue. With so many people getting worn out by social media and the constant barrage of information coming through their smartphones, there is something particularly appealing about slowing down and enjoying a piece of physical media. There are other reasons too. Sound quality, the ability to listen to music that’s unavailable via streaming services, and the ability to show off a record collection (which is way more interesting than showing someone your Spotify library.)
There’s also a sentimental aspect to record collecting. The ritual of going to a record store and buying a specific record and then going through a different ritual just to listen to the thing is symbolic of the album’s importance. Anyone can download an album on Spotify. But there is something special about being able to hold an album that means so much to you. Record collecting is a highly romanticized activity. One that encourages people to slow down and enjoy what’s in front of them.
With all that being said, records and record collecting have been around for quite some time so breaking into such a well-established hobby can be a little intimidating. Those who have never had the fortune of using a record player will likely have a lot of questions. Most importantly you’ll want to know how to listen to records. What you need, what you should know, and how much it’ll cost. I aim to answer as many of these questions as possible and give you the confidence to start your very own record collection without fear of the ridicule or mockery that the internet is so often capable of.
The Basics: What You Need to Get Started Listening to Records
There are 5 basic things you need to get started listening to vinyl records:
- A record – the actual music itself.
- A turntable – This is what spins the record and has the ‘needle’ that will transmit the information on the record.
- A preamp – This boosts the signal that is being transmitted from the needle.
- An amplifier – This further boosts the signal to a “line-level signal” which allows the signal to be properly transmitted to…
- Speakers – Where the sound will be coming out of.
If this all seems complicated, don’t worry, it is. It will take most vinyl collectors years to collect high-quality versions of all of the above components. Below, I will break down each of these components in the simplest terms possible and discuss some common alternatives and other methods that you might have come across.
Selecting a Turntable
To play a vinyl record you will first need a turntable, which is the equipment that spins the record around, which should look something like this.
Vinyl records have been around for quite a while now so there are literally thousands of different kinds of turntables. Big ones, small ones, portable ones, plastic ones, wooden ones etc. The point is; you need something that will spin the actual record at a proper speed and a ‘needle’ also known as a stylus, that can transmit the signal to your speakers.
Beginner Turntable Options
These days, a beginner who is looking to buy and play their very first record will likely be reaching for something like one of these Crosley record players:
Despite how popular and common this style of record player has become, they are unique in several ways. The main appeal of these record players is that they are both portable and ‘all-in-one’ machines.
You might notice that the term ‘record player’ isn’t actually used too often amongst the more serious record collectors. This is because, as mentioned above, to play a record you really need several components. Although you might see ‘record player’ and ‘turntable’ used interchangeably, it’s not entirely accurate as a turntable won’t actually play your record as they generally do not have speakers or the necessary amplifiers to transmit the signal from the record properly. The term ‘record player’ is a slightly more modern phrase that generally refers to the all-in-one machines sold at major retailers.
Basically, buying one of these ‘all-in-one’ record players allows you to skip all of the above equipment as all-in-one record players will have all of these components built into a single, compact machine. This means that those new to the hobby can quite literally plug a single cable into a wall socket and start listening to records in just a couple minutes. This is the quickest and easiest way to listen to records but the vast majority of record collectors will recommend avoiding these if at all possible, and for good reason.
Besides Crosley record players there are thousands of options for true standalone turntables out there. Further down I will discuss my specific recommendations for turntables, but the main takeaway is that a standalone turntable is almost always better than the all-in-one record players available at major retailers.
Why you should avoid Crosley ‘record players’
So why should you avoid ‘record players’, and instead purchase a system that is more expensive and more complicated?
There are a few key issues with all-in-one record players that will impact the listening experience. The most notable issue is with the stylus and tone-arm that these record players tend to come with. Vinyl records are notoriously delicate and are prone to scratching and warping, which will impact the sound quality. Cheaper turntables and all-in-one record players will often use cheap components that can cause damage to your records. In many cases, this will be in the form of a poorly balanced tone-arm that causes the stylus to press down too firmly on the record as it spins, damaging the record over time.
The other common fallback of this style of record player is the quality of materials and equipment inside. The low entry cost may seem appealing but the sound quality of most of these all-in-one record players is usually very poor. Since it is all one single machine, you are limited to the components that it came with out of the box, with no ability to upgrade them.
But are they that bad?
Many collectors will shun Crosley and other all-in-one record players completely. Although they are often poorly built machines and damage records, they are fine entries for those who are just getting into, or considering getting into record collecting. Like most hobbies, it’s often a good idea to start with very cheap or second-hand equipment to see if the hobby is for you before investing a ton of money into it.
In the case of all-in-one record players, they are fine for your first record player. I would recommend upgrading to a nicer setup as soon as possible. I would also be careful when it comes to selecting which records you play on these machines as the more you play these records on these cheap turntables, the more likely they are to get damaged. Think of them like training wheels. Most people need to start with them, but you should upgrade to the real deal as soon as possible.
Best Vinyl Record Player for beginners
Ok, so you have a few records and a cheap record player but you’re looking to take things to the next level. Where do you start?
As I mentioned, the best way to approach upgrading your vinyl set-up is to think of those 4 basic components.
- The Turntable
- The Preamplifier (Preamp)
- The Amplifier (Amp)
- The Speakers
The issue with buying all of these components individually as a beginner is that it can be quite overwhelming deciding which brands and models to go with, and you can quickly end up with more questions than answers. Even when going with budget picks, creating a setup from scratch can be quite expensive. This is especially prevalent when you compare it to the low-entry cost of all-in-one record players. However, there is a simple way to get around this if you are on a budget and new to the hobby.
Simple Vinyl Set-up for Beginners
Although you can buy each of these 4 components separately, in my experience it’s far more budget friendly to buy equipment that combines a few of these components whenever possible. One of the easiest ways to do this is to purchase a turntable that has a built-in preamp. This combination is extremely common and many turntable manufacturers will even have preamps built in to all of their turntables with the option to “bypass” the built in preamp in favor of an external one, which makes it easy when it comes time to upgrade.
Similarly, many speakers will come with built-in amplifiers, allowing you to skip buying a standalone amplifier for your setup as well. Basically, your setup would look like this.
- Turntable with a built in preamplifier.
- Speakers with built in amplifier.
This means you only have to purchase 2 pieces of equipment instead of 4 which also saves space on your listening surface. Not only does this simplify things for newcomers as they likely won’t know what to look for in a good preamplifier or amplifier anyways, it also allows you to start listening to records sooner and slowly figure out what kind of components and brands you like. Then, you can upgrade your system steadily over time to your specific needs, budget and musical taste.
Upgrading Your Vinyl Record Set-up
Once you are fully invested into the hobby you will want to divide these components as much as possible so that you can upgrade the individual parts of your record setup. For example, you can keep using the same turntable, speakers, and amplifier, but buy a fancy new preamplifier to improve the sound quality of your setup. Then, a few months later you can buy a new set of speakers to further improve your setup and so on. In short, the more you combine components the less flexibility you have to improve the quality, but the easier it is to manage the set up as a whole.
The Best Budget Vinyl Setup for Beginners.
With all that being said, my recommendation for taking the next step away from all-in-one record players is to purchase the following items.
This is a setup that has served me well for over 5 years, and is, in my opinion, the best combination of convenience, affordability, and sound quality. The total cost of both of these should come in under $500 and will sound lightyears better than any all-in-one record player and will often outperform set-ups that are far pricier. From here you can slowly upgrade your setup as you see fit.
Now that you have your set-up ready to rock it’s time to talk about records.
How to Shop For Records
These days you can buy records anywhere. Bookstores, department stores, Amazon, and of course, your local record store. Above all else, I would recommend supporting your local record store as much as possible. Even if they don’t have the record you are looking for they can very often get it for you at the same price you would be paying elsewhere anyways. Record stores have a wealth of knowledge on all things record collecting and I have never met a record store owner who wasn’t eager to give out their recommendations on music, equipment and anything else related to the world of vinyl collecting.
Record stores can be intimidating to people who have little to no experience with the hobby. For me, I always had a bit of imposter syndrome when I was flipping through bins of records without recognizing a single artist the entire time. This will likely be your experience too, and that’s ok.
Over time, I grew to like this aspect of record collecting and have discovered tons of artists I would never have listened to if I hadn’t stumble upon their wacky album cover or if I hadn’t listened to the record store employees recommendation. That doesn’t mean you have to spend $30-$40 on every interesting-looking record you find in an attempt to discover new artists. Whenever I go to record stores I like to have my Spotify library handy so I can add any interesting-looking artists to my library so that I can listen to them later without the investment that comes with buying a record.
How to play a record
Now that you have all of the necessary components it’s time to play your record without breaking anything. With most setups, this is quite simple.
Step 1
Take your record out of its sleeve, being sure to handle only the outer edges of the record. Touching the flat part of the record can cause damage that will affect sound quality and even the oil on your fingers can cause sound issues when things get going.
Step 2
Carefully place your record on to the turntable by lining up the hole in the record onto your turntable. Be careful not to poke an additional hole on accident.
Step 3
The next step will vary slightly based on your particular turntable. Generally you will need to power the turntable on in some way and select a speed. In the case of my current turntable, this means turning the knob to ‘33’ which both powers on the turntable and causes the table to turn at 33 RPM, which is the standard speed for most full size LP’s. (The smaller records, often called ‘singles’ will use 45 RPM)
Step 4
The next step is to drop the stylus down onto the outermost rim of your record. Once again this will vary based on your turntable. My turntable uses a ‘manual arm’ which means I have to position the needle by hand over the edge of the record and then flip a small switch so that the needle lowers down on the spinning record. Other record players will have a ‘play button’ that will automatically move the arm into position and drop the stylus down onto the proper point.
That’s it! Assuming you did everything correctly. If not, back to step 1!
Things to Avoid
There are a few basic practices you want to avoid to ensure that your setup is at peak performance and so you don’t damage any of your precious records.
Don’t touch the record with your hands
Anytime you handle a record you will want to avoid touching the flat part of the record when at all possible. The only part of the record you should touch is the outermost edge or the very-center. Basically, if the needle is going to touch it, your fingers should not.
Don’t drag the needle across the record
Anytime you are playing a record, you want to be careful not to move the needle while it is in the down position. Dragging the needle across the surface of a record will not only make an unpleasant sound come through your speakers, but it can severely damage your record and potentially make it unplayable. Always be aware of if the needle is in the down or up position before changing a record and be careful not to bump your turntable or the piece of furniture it is on while a record is playing.
Touching the needle
The ‘needle’ or stylus is also a very sensitive piece of equipment. Whenever you need to touch the stylus to play a record or remove one from your turntable, be sure to only grab the top of the stylus and to never touch the stylus itself. The slightest bit of damage to the tiny needle will be the end of that stylus. If there is lint or debris on your needle, try removing it with compressed air or very gently with a lint-free cloth.
Move the turntable while it is on.
It’s extremely important that your turntable is on a stable surface. Even the slightest of knocks on the table that your turntable is on top of will cause the record to skip and potentially damage the record.
Record collecting can be an extremely complicated and expensive hobby, but it doesn’t have to be. There’s not a wrong way to collect and enjoy your records but there are plenty of things you can do to make the experience more enjoyable and improve the sound quality of your records. These are my recommendations and the wisdom that I wish I would have known when I was first getting into record collecting. But hey, do whatever the hell you want.
FAQ
Which part of a vinyl setup is most important?
The prevailing wisdom is that your speakers will have the biggest and most obvious impact on sound quality. Most people, myself included, would recommend getting the best speakers you can afford, and buy more budget friendly preamplifiers, amplifiers, and turntables. If your speakers aren’t good enough, it doesn’t really matter how fancy the rest of your equipment is.
Should I buy new or used equipment?
For beginners, used equipment is often the way to go. Lots of the equipment you will need to get started can be extremely expensive so going the used route can be a great way to get high-quality equipment that would otherwise be out of your price range. There is a massive market for vintage amplifiers and other sound equipment so be sure you are going through a reputable seller and that the equipment is operating properly before buying. Your local record store is likely a great resource for this kind of stuff and can offer recommendations, repairs, and advice if they don’t sell the equipment themselves.
How should I store my vinyl records?
Vinyl records can be quite delicate with most damage taking the form of warping or scratching, but both are fairly easy to avoid. In order to prevent your records from warping, keep them in a cool environment away from direct sunlight, and store them in an upright position instead of stacking them on top of each other. This means keeping them away from windows and being careful about how long you leave them in the hot car when you are out record shopping.
To avoid your records getting scratched be sure to always store them in the sleeves that they are purchased in and to use inner sleeves whenever possible.
Should I clean my records?
Cleaning your records on occasion is a very good habit to get into that can make your records sound better and prolong their lifespan. There are tons of different record cleaning solutions available as well as DIY cleaning options out there. – link to clean records article