How to choose a turntable

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      Brief introduction

      You're choosing your first turntable or upgrading a system and don't want to make a mistake. Clear selection logic helps to understand the drive, tonearm, cartridge and phono stage. Take basic criteria, match them to your needs and check them in the store using a checklist.

      Key selection criteria

      Drive type: belt or direct

      The drive determines the character of the sound and maintenance. A belt drive uses an elastic belt between the motor and platter. A direct drive connects the motor directly to the platter spindle.

      - Belt drive. Pros: less motor vibration, smoother presentation, easy belt replacement. Cons: belt stretches, speed drifts over time, requires calibration. What to check: rotation stability, availability of spare belts, access to speed adjustment. Optimal for home use: playback at 33⅓ and 45 rpm, speed change by button rather than by manually moving the belt.

      - Direct drive. Pros: fast start, accurate speed, low wow & flutter. Suitable for heavy use. Cons: possible motor noises if poorly isolated. What to check: manufacturer wow & flutter spec up to 0.1% WRMS, smooth start and stop, no audible vibrations on the chassis.

      Tonearm and cartridge

      The tonearm guides the stylus through the groove; the cartridge converts motion into a signal. The pair affects record wear and sound.

      - Tonearm shape and bearings. Straight or S-shaped; bearings should allow free movement without sticking. Check: a balanced tonearm moves smoothly with a light push, without play or jerks.

      - Adjustments. Required: tracking force (VTF), anti-skating, tonearm height (VTA) and azimuth. For a first purchase VTF and anti-skating are sufficient. Azimuth and VTA are useful for upgrades.

      - Cartridge. MM (moving magnet) is easier to match and to replace the stylus. MC (moving coil) provides more detail but requires an expensive phono stage and replacing the whole cartridge. For a starter system choose MM.

      - Stylus (tip profile). Spherical — gentle presentation, lower resolution, kinder to old records. Elliptical — less distortion, better high-frequency response. MicroLine/Shibata provide high detail and lower wear but are demanding on setup. Check: stated tip profile, stylus lifespan. Typical lifetimes: spherical 300–500 hours, elliptical 500–800 hours, MicroLine 1000–2000 hours with regular record cleaning.

      - Compatibility. Resonant frequency of the tonearm+cartridge system — 8–12 Hz. For a household choice, rely on the stock cartridge from the manufacturer or compatible MM cartridges from Audio‑Technica, Ortofon, Nagaoka.

      Platter, bearing and speed

      The mass and precision of the platter determine rotational smoothness. The bearing is responsible for noise and wear.

      - Platter. Metal or acrylic. A heavy platter maintains stable speed. Check: no visible wobble, clear RPM stabilization.

      - Speed stability. Look for low wow & flutter numbers. By ear: sustained piano notes don't “float” in pitch. Technically: up to 0.1% WRMS for precise models, up to 0.2% for mass-market ones.

      - Bearing. No play or grinding, spindle spins for a long time, stops smoothly.

      - Speeds. 33⅓ and 45 rpm are mandatory. 78 rpm is needed for shellac and requires a separate stylus with a larger profile. Check for 78 support if your collection needs it.

      Phono preamp and connectivity

      Cartridge output is low level and subject to the RIAA curve. A phono preamp is required, built-in or external.

      - Built-in phono preamp. Convenient for quick setup. Look for a LINE/PHONO switch on the rear panel. Check: connection to active speakers or an AUX input without hum or noise.

      - External phono preamp. Improves sound and offers flexible settings for MM/MC. Check: matching input capacitance and impedance to the chosen cartridge, separate grounding.

      - Cables and grounding. Look for a dedicated GND wire and solid RCA connectors. Bluetooth is convenient but adds compression and latency compared to a wired connection.

      - Outputs. Line RCA is standard. USB for digitization. XLR appears on higher‑end models and requires a compatible phono stage.

      Automation and convenience

      - Fully manual. Maximum control, fewer mechanical parts in the signal path. Requires familiarity with operation.

      - Semi-automatic. Auto-stop or auto-return of the tonearm. Convenience without excessive mechanisms.

      - Fully automatic. Good for family use and children. Check: soft cueing of the stylus, accurate positioning at track start.

      - Dust cover. Solid hinges, latch in the up position. The cover should not hit the chassis.

      Plinth and vibration isolation

      The plinth dampens external vibrations; feet isolate shelf resonances.

      - Material. MDF, composites, metal. Check: a dead response when lightly tapped, no ringing resonances.

      - Feet. Height-adjustable with damping inserts. Level the turntable with a bubble level.

      - Platter mat. Rubber, felt, cork or acrylic. Affects grip and static. The stock mat is fine for a starter choice.

      Accessories and maintenance

      - Stock cartridge. Make sure the manufacturer sets the VTF, provides an alignment protractor and a counterweight.

      - Tools. Stylus brush, carbon-fiber record brush, level, VTF scales.

      - Availability of consumables. Needles and belts are available and delivery times are clear.

      Noise, wow & flutter and signal-to-noise ratio

      - Signal-to-noise ratio. For home use aim for 65 dB and above. Higher models reach 70–72 dB and more.

      - Hum and background noise. With power on and no record in PHONO position — silence or a faint background without noticeable hum. Proper grounding eliminates hum.

      - Wow & flutter. The lower the number, the steadier the sound. Listen to sustained notes and choirs — no wavering pitch.

      Brands and classes

      Starter packages from Audio‑Technica, Pro‑Ject, Rega, Denon, TEAC are suitable for first steps. Midrange look to Technics, Thorens, higher Pro‑Ject lines. DJ tasks are covered by Technics and Pioneer DJ with direct drive.

      Comparison of popular options

      Belt vs direct drive

      - Home listening. Belt drive gives a softer character and less mechanical noise.

      - Active use and precise pitch stability. Direct drive with strobe and pitch control.

      - Maintenance. Belt drive — belt replacement every few years. Direct drive — fewer consumables.

      New vs vintage

      - New. Warranty, access to consumables, easy integration. Predictable sound, understandable settings.

      - Vintage. Heavy turntables, reliable mechanisms, but risk of worn bearings, servicing, and missing parts. Requires diagnostics and technical inspection.

      Built-in phono stage vs external

      - Built-in. Quick start, fewer boxes. For an upgrade switch to PHONO and connect an external unit.

      - External. Cleaner signal path, flexible tuning to the cartridge, growth potential.

      USB/Bluetooth combo vs classic component

      - Digitization and convenience. USB for recording to a computer. Bluetooth for wireless connection to speakers.

      - Sound purity. Wired RCA gives better results in a stereo system.

      When choosing a turntable, evaluate not only the sound but the system’s growth potential. A replaceable cartridge, adjustable tonearm, switchable phono stage and quality feet allow upgrades without replacing the entire unit.

      Manual, semi-automatic, fully automatic

      - Manual. Suited if you want full control, a simpler signal path and fewer mechanisms.

      - Semi-automatic. Auto-stop reduces the risk of leaving the stylus at the end of a side.

      - Fully automatic. Convenient for family use and casual listening without monitoring the record end.

      Common buyer mistakes

      - Buying a “suitcase” player with a 4–6 g tracking force. Such force rapidly wears grooves. Look for VTF for MM in the 1.5–2.5 g range.

      - Ignoring grounding. Hum in the speakers disappears after connecting the GND wire to the phono stage or amplifier.

      - Incompatible cartridge and tonearm. A stiff cartridge on a light tonearm causes resonances. Use stock pairings or check compatibility.

      - No brush or cleaning. Dust increases crackle and stylus wear. Need a record brush and stylus cleaning fluid.

      - Blind pursuit of Bluetooth. Convenient but heavy compression. Use wired outputs for a stereo system.

      - Unchecked speed. In the store no one checked 33⅓ and 45 rpm. Verify with an RPM app or a strobe disc.

      - Buying without available replacement styli. No replacements — the unit stands idle. Check stylus part numbers and delivery times.

      - Incorrect tracking force. Too light causes distortion and tracking loss. Too heavy wears records. Check with VTF scales.

      - Buying a 78 rpm machine without a replacement stylus. Shellac requires a different stylus and often a separate cartridge.

      Step-by-step selection algorithm

      1. Define the purpose. Home listening, DJ practice, digitizing a collection, or a family appliance for different users.

      2. Assess your collection. LPs and singles need 33⅓ and 45 rpm. Shellac adds 78 rpm and a separate stylus.

      3. Choose drive type. Calm evenings and meditative listening — belt drive. Frequent record changes, precise start — direct drive.

      4. Decide on the phono stage. No PHONO input — get a built-in LINE option or an external phono preamp. If you plan to upgrade, choose a turntable with a switchable built-in unit.

      5. Think about convenience. Need auto-stop or full auto-return — choose semi-automatic or automatic. Prefer control — manual.

      6. Check tonearm and cartridge. Availability of VTF and anti-skating adjustment, MM-head compatibility, access to a stylus upgrade.

      7. Compare specifications. Wow & flutter 0.1–0.2% WRMS, S/N ratio from 65 dB, speed stability, flat platter.

      8. Evaluate isolation. Chassis without ringing, adjustable feet, surface leveled.

      9. On-site check. Turn it on and listen to quiet passages. No hum or wobble. Speed holds, pitch does not “float.”

      10. Assemble maintenance kit. Record brush, stylus fluid, VTF scales, level. Keep a spare belt if needed.

      11. Set up at home. Set VTF per instructions, anti-skating roughly equal to VTF, level tonearm and table, check azimuth by visually symmetric contact of the stylus.

      12. Plan upgrades. After six months replace the stylus for a finer profile, upgrade the phono stage or the platter mat.

      Result and checklist

      https://www.ozon.ru/category/vinilovye-proigryvateli-15572/ helps quickly filter models by drive type, automation and presence of a phono stage. Choose a unit for your collection and habits, check settings and consumables, and the sound will reward you with clarity and a stable soundstage.

      Checklist

      - Define listening purpose and required speeds 33⅓/45/78.

      - Choose drive: belt for a softer character or direct for precision.

      - Check tonearm: smooth motion, VTF and anti-skating available.

      - Decide on phono stage: built-in LINE or external PHONO.

      - Verify specs: wow & flutter 0.1–0.2% WRMS, S/N ratio from 65 dB.

      - Assess isolation: chassis without ringing, adjustable feet.

      - Ensure availability of styli and belts for your model.

      - Listen in-store: no hum, no pitch “floating”, neat auto-stop.

      - Buy maintenance supplies: brush, stylus fluid, VTF scales, level.

      - Set tracking force and alignment, check grounding and cables.

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