The Best Turntable Brands

Vinyl is making a strong comeback. It delights audiophiles and collectors. Its pure analog sound quality is more appealing than ever. For connoisseurs, owning a good turntable is essential. Here are the best brands for 2023, ideal for an exceptional sound experience.

Thorens was founded in Switzerland in 1883. According to many reviews, it ranks among the best.¹ The Japanese brand Denon, founded in 1910, offers a range of turntable models.¹ Technics, a renowned Japanese brand since 1965, is famous for its turntables, such as the SL-1200 MK2.¹ Pioneer has been recognized for its DJ vinyl turntables since its launch in Tokyo in 1938.¹ In 1962, Audio-Technica was founded in Tokyo. It offers quality turntables at good prices.¹ Since the 1940s, Sony has excelled in turntable design. Very positive reviews praise its recent models.¹ Finally, Pro-Ject, founded in Austria in 1990, stands out for the value for money of its turntables.¹

What is a turntable?

A vinyl turntable, or record player, plays music from microgroove records. These records are also known as vinyl records.² It works with old but reliable technology. A special needle follows the grooves of vinyl records to read the music. That music is then amplified and sent to the speakers through a complex system.

This turntable is fitted with a motor. The motor spins the vinyl at the correct speed, either 33 or 45 revolutions per minute.

How a turntable works

Turntables offer a unique listening quality for vinyl records.² They are designed to play music precisely and faithfully to the original. This lets you enjoy both new vinyl releases and older records that you can find almost anywhere.

In addition, having a turntable at home adds an aesthetic touch. Your room gains charm with this equipment. The listening experience also becomes much more immersive.

Benefits and uses

Turntables provide excellent listening quality.² They are carefully made to reproduce music accurately. That applies to recent vinyl records as well as older ones you may come across.

They are also decorative. A turntable enhances a room. Listening to a vinyl record on a turntable is an experience in itself. It heightens the pleasure of music.

The different types of turntables

There are three main types of turntables on the market. These categories are the manual turntable, the semi-automatic turntable and the automatic turntable.

The manual turntable

This is the most common model. As its name suggests, you have to place the tonearm on the vinyl record yourself. You also have to return the arm to its rest at the end. This turntable is simple and reliable, but it is not suitable for everyone because of its unassisted operation.

The semi-automatic turntable

This variant is close to the manual model, but it has one advantage. A mechanism lifts the arm and stops playback when the record ends. This reduces the hassle at the end of the record. However, you still have to return the arm yourself. It costs a little more than manual models.

The automatic turntable

This type is highly valued for its simplicity. With a powerful motor, it starts playback with a simple press of a button. The arm places and removes itself. This ease of use is real, but the turntable is more expensive.¹ It can also operate manually if needed.

The best turntable brands

Thorens was born in Switzerland in 1883. It has focused on high-quality turntables since its earliest days.¹ The brand introduced some of the first motorized turntables. Since the 1960s, Thorens has been an undisputed leader. It is still considered one of the best brands.¹

Denon, originally from Japan, was founded in 1910. It has been famous for its digital audio equipment since the 1970s. Based in Kawasaki, Denon sells its products worldwide. It offers quality turntables with different options.

The Technics brand was launched in 1965 in Kadoma, Japan. Specializing in hi-fi products, it is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. Its SL-1200 MK2 turntable is very popular. It is loved by DJs all over the world. Technics turntables remain highly appreciated today.

Pioneer was created in Tokyo in 1938. From the outset, it stood out in the field of hi-fi electronics. Its turntables have been a real success among DJs.

Audio-Technica was founded in Tokyo in 1962. Although it began modestly, it is now present all over the world. Its turntables have an excellent reputation and are known for their value for money.

Sony has existed since the 1940s in Tokyo. It succeeds in several sectors, including computing and electronics. Recently, Sony launched a highly regarded turntable, the PS-HX500 model.

Pro-Ject was created in Austria in 1990. Since then, the brand has become a favorite among music lovers. It offers quality turntables at different prices.

Examples of popular turntables

The Audio-Technica LP120XUSB turntable

This turntable has been very popular for several years. It lets you listen to vinyl records at 33, 45 or 78 rpm. With its USB port, you can even digitize your vinyl records.

It costs €429.00 and³ its price has dropped by 11%. In addition, its vintage design is very attractive and it offers quality sound. Nevertheless, it is made of plastic, has no automatic stop and can be sensitive to noise.

The Sony PS-LX300 turntable

Conclusion

The return of vinyl has delighted enthusiasts thanks to its sound quality. It has brought together audiophiles, collectors and music lovers. To fully enjoy this experience, a good turntable is essential. We have explored the best brands and the best models. They offer variety and quality at every price point. This should help you make your choice.⁴

In 1953, GARRARD launched the 301 and 401 turntables, flagship models of their era.⁴ Thorens then released the famous TD-124 in 1957.⁴ The Goldring and Lenco duo created the first GL75, leaving its mark on hi-fi history.⁴ In 1978, Rega surprised the market with the Planar 3, shaking up the mid-range segment.⁴ Later, Thorens mass-produced the TD-125 to meet demand.⁴ In the 1980s, Dual released the CS505, just before the arrival of the CD.⁴

Whatever your level of musical expertise, there is a perfect turntable for you.

Source Links

1. https://www.denon.com/en-us/inside-denon/brand-stories/new-to-vinyl-heres-how-to-choose-your-first-turntable.html
2. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/consumer-tech/buying-guide/turntable-basics-and-buying-guide
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio-Technica
4. https://www.hifinews.com/content/garrard-401-vintage