Good value for the Money, But….. Did not realise that this turntable does not have auto arm return when the album playing has finished. However everything else is good. It also looks and sounds good with a slight retro appearance. The USB ripping feature remains, so you can digitise your vinyl collection is CD quality WAV files up to 16-bit/44.1kHz and 48kHz. If you're after a well-executed design that's well-built, easy to set up and sounds great for the money, the AT-LP5x is worthy of a spot on your shortlist.

The Planar 1 Plus is essentially the brilliant five-star entry-level Rega Planar 1 turntable with the equally five-star Rega Fono Mini A2D phono stage built in. Both have won Awards, and Rega thought it only felt natural to combine them together. We absolutely agree. This is, also, partly down to price. If you have an older turntable but it's much more expensive and higher quality than a newer, cheaper model, you might prefer the older sound. You should also consider whether it's in need of some TLC. Older turntables might need repairing to sound as good as they once did. If you like the idea of being able to listen to your records in different places around the house, you may be attracted to the idea of a portable record player. Some of the most popular brands, such as Crosley and GPO, make turntables that fold up into carry cases and even include built-in speakers. In terms of quality, the ION Audio Max LP doesn’t disappoint. It’s primarily made of wood and plastic, which ensures durability while keeping the device lightweight. Weighing just 7.71 pounds, it’s easy to move around, making it a great choice for those who want to use it in different rooms or locations. The turntable has a protective dust cover, a 45 adapter, and a felt slipmat. These accessories enhance the user experience and ensure that your records and the device stay in top condition. The quality of the ION Audio Max LP is evident in its construction, design, and the accessories that come with it. Key Features and Functionality One of the most vital things to look for when you’re shopping for a new vinyl player is how well damped it is.Damping is essentially the method by which manufacturers combat vibrations – whether internal or external. They do this through the use of different motor configurations, and through the use of various components.The USB ripping feature remains, so you can digitise your vinyl collection to CD-quality WAV files up to 16-bit/44.1kHz and 48kHz. If you're after a well-executed design that's well-built, easy to set up and sounds great for the money, the AT-LP5x is worthy of a spot on your shortlist. User-friendly and as painless as possible, the SL-1500C stands on four hefty rubberized feet with a lot of articulation. A switchable phono stage proves useful along with a switchable auto-stop feature –we've gone into great detail about these in our extensive review.

If you opt for a fancy wireless record player, you might want to invest in a Bluetooth speaker, a wireless speaker, or connect it to your existing smart speaker. The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is still one of the best entry-level hi-fi turntables you can buy, even though it has been usurped by the more recent model at the top of this list.While vinyl newcomers may cringe at the relatively high price here, we've tested it and can safely say it's actually an incredible bargain. You don’t have a proper shelf to put it on: Those feet will suppress some vibration, but they’re not miracle-workers.It needs a sturdy place to live. The Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT is our top budget choice, and an excellent option for beginners. Setting it up is fairly straightforward, but does require some assembly. You can use it with a wired connection to speakers or headphones, or wirelessly via Bluetooth. With a built-in phono equalizer function, Audio-Technica says that you can use the AT-LP60XBT without a “phono amplifier or connectable equipment with a built-in phono amplifier”. You can also use it with your own external phono amplifier if you prefer. If the Clearaudio Concept and Marantz TT-15S1 seem similar, that’s because the Marantz was built by Clearaudio to Marantz’s specifications. That means everything about the excellent build quality of the Marantz carries over to the Clearaudio Concept, so this this is a turntable that is as gorgeous as it sounds.

Specifications

We’re impressed with the level of detail too. The DG-1 S is a precise and highly resolving product, one that’s able to dig up plenty of information and organise it into a cohesive and musical whole. It is a hugely entertaining sound, one that’s rhythmically surefooted and has a spring in its step when it comes to rendering dynamic nuances. If an item can not be repaired, a similar alternative product or cash discount (as defined in this policy) will be offered

If you're an audiophile that can notice the subtle differences and nuances of the devices you're playing music on, you need a high end turntable.

Here at What Hi-Fi?we review hundreds of products every year, from TVs to speakers, headphones to hi-fi systems. So how do we come to our review verdicts and why can you trust them? Allow us to explain. These vinyl players often feature retro styling, reminiscent of the classic Dansette record players of the 1960s. Unfortunately, though, they tend not to sound as good as they look. You want a turntable to be as solid and sturdy as possible to minimise unwanted vibrations from outside. Use the Dust Cover: The turntable comes with a protective dust cover. Use it to protect the turntable when not in use. This will help prevent dust accumulation and potential damage. Sound-staging is really impressive here, with recordings given plenty of elbow room for individual instruments to make their presence felt at all times. There’s depth and height to the Technics’ stage as well as width, and the sound is consistently compelling. Finally, what do you want to listen to? If you're looking for high-end audio that sounds exactly as intended, you might want to try a newer turntable. If you want a more gravelly sound and don't mind sacrificing some quality, use the old turntable you already have.

Sound quality: Audiophiles or those seeking a high-fidelity listening experience may find the sound quality from the built-in speakers underwhelming. This may lead to the need for external speakers, which could be an inconvenience or additional expense.OK, there are issues with its rotational consistency and the construction of its tonearm (and its controls), and it leads to sound that's too weedy to be deeply satisfying. Connecting to a separate amp (using the built-in phono stage, or to your own phono stage, usefully) doesn't really improve things enough either. Handle with Care: Vinyl records are delicate and can easily get scratched or damaged. Always handle your records by the edges and ensure your hands are clean to avoid leaving oils on the surface. So it’s no surprise to find that Audio-Technica hasn’t changed its winning formula for this new LP5x model. Why would it? Regular Maintenance: Regularly clean the turntable and needle to ensure optimal performance. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance. The What Hi-Fi?team has more than 100 years of collective experience in reviewing, testing and writing about consumer electronics – and that includes plenty of record players. We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Reading and Bath, where our team of expert reviewers do all our in-house testing. This gives us complete control over the testing process, ensuring consistency across all products.We always ensure we spend plenty of time with each turntable, setting them up correctly, trying them with different partnering electronics, in different positions and playing various records and music genres.