TRC Buying Guides: Buying Your First Turntable | The Revolver Club
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When it comes to buying the turntable of their dreams, for the lucky few, its love at first sight! But for every other lost soul, searching for the perfect turntable, look no further! The answer to all your turntable questions is in this guide!
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1. Anatomy of A Turntable:
1. Cueing Device
Lifts and lowers the stylus from the record. Can be automatic or manual.
2. Tonearm
Holds the cartridge and allows the stylus (needle) to ride in the grooves of the record.
3. Pitch Control
Varies the speed of the platter by adjusting the voltage sent to the motor. Allows the user to fine tune the speed.
4. Headshell
Headshel is what the cartridge is mounted on.
5. Cartridge
Holds the stylus (needle). The cartridge’s job is to convert the movement of the stylus into an electrical signal.
6. Speed Selector
Changes the speed of the platter between 33 RPM or 45 RPM.
RPM = Revolutions Per Minute
7. Start Button
Starts the engines and gets the table ready to groove.
8. Plinth
It is the base of the turntable.
9. 7 Inch Adapter
Allows the 45s to be played.
10. Motor
Motor is located directly under the center of the platter. The motor is typically either a belt drive or direct-drive design.
11. Platter
The Spinning part of the turntable.
12. Anti-Skate
Prevents groove-skipping (i.e - It prevents the tone-arm from being pulled to the middle of the record.)
2. Pre-amp and its importance
A pre-amp or phono stage receives a very weak signal from your turntable and amplifies them to a higher level where an amplifier can take over. You must have a pre-amp if you are playing a turntable setup.
However a few turntables are available with an inbuilt pre amp which can directly be plugged into a stereo amplifier or any active / powered speakers.
3. Different means of connectivity
1. Aux cable
A 3.5mm aux cable is a standard for stereo input and output. It can be used with a compatible jack or auxiliary input to link an audio source to your stereo system.
2. RCA Cable
RCA jacks are often used in phono inputs, a set of input jacks usually located on the rear panel of a preamp, mixer or amplifier, to which a phonograph or turntable is attached.
4. Manual > Automatic
| Manual Turntable | Automatic Turntable |
|---|---|
| More engaging experience | Less engaging experience |
| Best for sound quality | Reduced sound quality |
| Widest range of options | Relatively fewer options |
| Less maintainence required | Frequent maintainence required |
| Control over tracking force and anti-skate | Built in tracking force and anti-skate |
5. Active Speakers or Passive Speakers
| Active Speakers | Passive Speakers |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Active speakers have an in-built power amplifier and just need a power source (or battery) to operate. | Passive speakers draw their power from an external amp and is connected to that amp via speaker wire. |
| If you want a speaker that can play loud with lots of bass or you want to be able to stream wirelessly to it, then an active speaker will fit the bill. | A passive stereo pair of speakers is the purest way to listen to music and our recommendation for anyone looking to get into records. |
6. Commonly Faced Issues
1. Damaged Cartridge/Stylus:
The lifespan of a stylus ranges from 600 - 800 hours of playback and post this duration, you will require to change your stylus.
2. Stretched out belt:
An average turntable belt for audiophile use will last 3-5 years before it stretches out. Depending of the particular "mix," the belt will either go hard and brittle or soft and gooey.
3. Rumble and Hum:
Rumble is a very low frequency noise introduced to the audio signal by vibrations within the turntable. You can minimize it by placing an isolation mat or rubber feet under your turntable and making sure that the turntable isn't too close to your speakers.
Pro-tip:
When it comes to your turntable and vinyl collection - cleanliness is next to godliness! No matter how clean you keep your home, given enough time, dirt and grime will always build up on your records and stylus.
If you're just starting your analog journey,
Do NOT spend too much on a turntable setup. Rather invest more into your record collection!
If you're already an audiophile,
It’s worth spending more on a fancier Hi-Fi system.
DO NOT BUY A SUITCASE TURNTABLE
Unless you want to ruin your precious records.
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