The Best Turntables for Your Vinyl Collection
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Vinyl's biggest selling point isn't the sound. It's the physical experience: shiny, delicate records; liner notes writ large; covers you want to frame and hang on your wall; and the way the stylus spins across the jagged surface, reproducing your favorite artists' music as if by magic.
Maybe you've always been interested in building a record player setup for listening to LPs and 45s, but you don't know where to start. Maybe you're like WIRED editor Julian Chokkattu, who owned a record but no turntable to play it on. Maybe you're just looking for an upgrade. No problem: There are many great record players out there, and most will easily connect to whatever audio system you already own. I've tested dozens, and these are the best turntables right now—from utilitarian, budget-friendly classics to more luxe options for those seeking audiophile-grade sound.
Check out our other audio guides, including the Best Speakers, Best Computer Speakers, and Best Soundbars.
Updated November 2024: We've added the Technics SL-1300G and Fluance RT81+.
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Vinyl Listening Accessories and Tips
Apart from a speaker setup, the main accessory you might need for your turntable is a phono preamp, if one doesn't come built in. Phono preamps take the quiet signal from the turntable and bring it up to line level—the level your stereo expects from CD players, tape decks, and digital devices. The phono signal is usually always passed to the amp through the red and white RCA inputs on the back. There are plenty of good, cheap options for phono preamps. I like the Art DJPreII ($65). I wouldn't spend less than $50 on one, but you don't need to spend crazy money either. You can skip the ones that cost hundreds of dollars until you have a nicer turntable, but if you want to upgrade I like the Cambridge Audio Alva Solo preamp ($199).
Other basics you'll need are tied to maintenance and setup. You'll want a record brush (often included with turntables), a way to clean your stylus, and a level to make sure your turntable is set up properly. Check out this video to see exactly what you need to do before you play your first record.
Lastly, if you need a place to store all those LPs and 45s you've been buying, try a Flipbin. The company makes handsome table-top bins for safely displaying and protecting your records. Check out our Best Vinyl Accessories guide for more.