Though digital music dominates the world at the moment, the beauty of vinyl record has never been completely lost. Many music enthusiasts often revert back to this piece of old technology in order to relive the beautiful, high quality sound it produces. Aside from that, playing music from a vinyl is a ritual in and of itself. The sliding movement of the album out of its sleeve, the gentle placement of the disc on the platter, lowering the tonearm, and the soft thump the needle makes as it lands in the groove. The point is playing music from a record is a thrilling activity.Thankfully, technology catches up to eliminate the hassle many people experience when playing a record.
This technology is called the portable record player. Firstly, it is more robust compared to the sensitive traditional turntable machine.
Secondly, you can start converting your vinyl to digital form without losing its high-quality sound. Finally, thanks to this digital reproduction, you can move your music from one location to another with relative ease. The Components of The Best Portable Record PlayerTurntables may look simple but alas, they are not. In order to spin records at a stable rate of speed and smoothly reproduce the data inside the grooves into an electrical signal, a complicated and efficient design is necessary. Knowing the basics of this design can help you identify which portable record player is of the best construction.The ArmThe arm consists of three parts: the needle, the phono cartridge, and the tonearm. The needle, also known as the stylus is a tiny pointed end that is usually made of diamond. It falls into the grooves present in the records.
Spin those records-wherever you go-with the Victrola VSC-550BT suitcase record player.
The phono cartridge supports the needle. It is a mini electrical generator that produces a voltage or a signal when the needle moves. Last but not least, the tonearm, the hard-cylindrical shape that holds the needle and cartridge steady against the rotating movement of the record underneathThe TableThe platter, the motor, and a bearing are the main components of the table. The record will sit on and spin together with the platter. This part is usually protected by a mat to prevent scratches from the spinning movement as well as to reduce vibration. Meanwhile, the motor is the part that spins the platter. There are two mechanisms of the motor, depending on the type of turntables: belt drive or direct drive.
In a belt drive turntable, the motor spins the record by way of a pulley and elastic belt. In a direct drive turntable, the platter sits directly on top of the motor. Lastly, the bearing. A smooth, quiet, and friction-free rotation is highly dependent on the precision of the bearing, so it is a very important component in a turntable.The BaseA turntable’s base is also called a plinth. It holds all the aforementioned components that are responsible to playing the records. It also helps prevent unwanted vibration from messing up the sound reproduction.
Typically, a base is equipped with well-designed feet to further reduce the vibration. These feet may be adjustable, which will come in handy if you place your turntable on an uneven surface. A portable record player usually feature RCA output to connect the turntable to a receiver or a speaker. Should you want, look for one that includes a USB output so you can hook it up to a computer. Why Portable Record Player Quality MattersA good portable record player should at least be equipped with a USB output to digitize your vinyl collection so you can play them back on other audio devices, for example a smartphone or in your car. It should also have a good sound reproduction and may have an automatic feature so you can start and stop playing at the push of a button.
A dedicated turntable input is essential, and if one is not available you should choose a player with a built-in phono preamp or an additional external preamp.Should you choose to browse around medium quality turntables, you should scrutinize its performance a bit more. This kind of record player should have a better sound quality, owing it to the more precise design and construction as well as higher quality parts. With these record players, you should be able to adjust the tonearm in order to accommodate various phono cartridges. The platter usually is also heavier and more balanced with better quality bearings.
You will experience a quieter rotation and a gentler treatment to your vinyl collection. Typically, medium quality portable record players can be upgraded into a higher end audio device.The best portable record player, however, will give a performance that rivals even high-end CD players and will impress many music enthusiasts.
Usually, a top-notch record player will be equipped with dense plinth design to absorb vibration even more and adjustable feet to suppress unwanted resonance. The motor could be separated from the plinth in order to cut down the vibration further, and a top-notch cartridge is typically included so you won’t have to make an addition to the purchase.In conclusion, the better quality your record player is the less you will hear it working. The best portable record player will not produce any sound so that the music can be the star of the show. Specifications on The Best Portable Record PlayerThe sound produced by a record player cannot be predicted solely by its specifications, but they sure do give you significant points to note when comparing models.
The basic specs you should watch for includes the vibration dampeners and methods of connectivity. However, these advanced specs may just give you further hints to a portable record player’s quality. Those are speed variation, the signal to noise (S/N) ratio, and playback speeds.Speed VariationThis specification refers to the accuracy of the platter rotation on the turntable.
Deviations in record speed may lower sound quality as it changes the pitch or bring about an audible interference that will disturb your listening experience. Look for a speed variation that comes in a lower number. Below 0.25% is ideal.Signal to Noise (S/N) RatioThis information may not be published by some manufacturers, but should it be available, it will let you know just how much background noise you can expect to hear from the record player. It is measured in decibels. Ideally, you should look for one with S/N ratio above 65dB.
A higher number means there will be a lot more music signals than the noise, which is what you want.Playback SpeedA proper rotation speed is crucial to any record player. Most of them will have a 33-1/3 and 45 RPM specs. However, be careful if you want to play a special collection of the rare 78 RPM records as the majority of record players will not be able to play it properly. Also, since the 78 RPM records have wider grooves, you might want to purchase a special cartridge and stylus on top of the specific record player.
Mediocre USB outputThe Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB is the best introductory turntable for aspiring vinyl enthusiasts. Out of the box, it features the ability to play 33 ⅓, 45 and 78 RPM, this means there will never be an album you can’t play. There’s also a built-in phono preamp so you never have to worry about finding one on your own.New record collectors will love the easy setup and features while more vetted users will love the option to dial in the vertical tracking angle, tracking force and easily replaceable headshell. Sure, it looks like a Technics SL-1200 ripoff but at a fraction of the price, it’s entirely worth it.The AT-LP120-USB also comes with a USB output that allows you to record your record collection if you want. To put it simply, this deck strikes the perfect balance of ease of use for beginners while still including some more advanced features for you to grow into. Passable soundIf you’re not looking to drop a fortune on the best turntable in the world and don’t necessarily care about squeezing every last drop of fidelity from your LPs, the Audio-Technica AT-LP60 is a perfect starting point. It’s portable, can play most vinyl and is by far the most inexpensive turntable we have on this list.
It’s also totally automatic, meaning it’ll queue a record and return the arm to resting position without requiring a manual lever.The only caveat with a turntable this cheap is that it won’t grow with you as your vinyl collection expands. The built-in phono preamp means you’re stuck with it, however you can replace the needle once it wears out.While there are cheaper, poorly engineered turntables on the market, it’s not worth it, as you risk damaging your precious records with poorly aligned and improperly weighted tonearms. Vinyl is expensive so we recommend the AT-LP60 for beginners just looking to get started.
Buttons feel cheapThe Denon DP-300F is a gorgeous turntable that sounds just as good as it looks. The included DSN-85 cartridge isn’t the most accurate but it nevertheless manages to make your music sound airy and reasonably detailed, especially for it’s price.You’ll need to spend a lot more cash to hear more detail.While the DP-300F lacks the USB outputs of some of the turntables listed here, it’s still a great starting turntable for anyone who doesn’t want to manually queue their albums or have a habit of falling asleep while listening to music. The Denon’s automatic start/stop feature means your needle won’t be worn down at the end of the record as the arm immediately returns when an album is done.Build quality is decent for an all-plastic turntable, but its buttons feel cheap – a minor problem but shouldn't be a deal-breaker for you. If the Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB doesn’t fit your aesthetic, consider the Denon DP-300F instead.Read the full review. No auto returning tonearmThe Fluance RT81 is an excellent starter turntable for the enthusiast.
It’s simple to set up and use for newbies but you can switch out the cartridge to squeeze out more performance later on. Newbies also won’t have to worry about getting a separate phono preamp, as one is built in. However, you can turn it off if you want to use a better external preamp.The only downside is that Fluance’s advertised “auto-off” feature simply turns off the platter, preventing excessive needle wear but you’ll still have to return the arm to its resting place yourself. You’ll also have to manually queue records, which isn’t a deal breaker by any means but is something to consider for those looking for a fully automatic turntable. The Denon DP-300F is a great choice for those looking for a fully automated record listening experience.Read the full review. Requires a phono preampFrom here on out things start to get a little bit more ‘real’: The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is in the runnings to be the best entry-level hi-fi turntables you can buy.While vinyl newcomers may cringe at the price, the Debut Carbon is really an incredible bargain. For the money, you get an very well made deck that’s damped properly for fantastic sound quality.
The carbon fiber tonearm is lightweight and stiff, and is usually reserved for turntables costing much more.The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is for the budding enthusiast that’s committed to the record collecting hobby and because of that commitment, it doesn’t feature niceties like an auto-returning tonearm, buttons for changing speed or an included phono preamp. Newbies may be turned off by the manual changing of the belt position to change speeds and the lack of an included preamp. However, if you want to extract more detail and resolution from your records than the cheaper options on this list, or if you want to get started on the path of being a true vinyl collector, the Debut Carbon is probably your best bet.Read the full review.
No phono preamp includedThere’s a lot of debate whether the Rega Planar 1 or the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is the best entry-level Hi-Fi turntable. It’s a close match and there are no clear winners, each providing an excellent starting place for audiophiles on a budget.While the Rega may lack the fancy carbon tone arm of the Pro-Ject, the Planar 1 still sounds excellent and is well damped with its phenolic resin platter. And for newbies, the Rega Planar 1 is still easy to setup, though you’ll have to provide your own phono preamp.Ultimately, the Rega Planar 1 just sounds so good that it’s hard to fault it too much. Vocals are revealing and you can hear the texture from instruments like the violin. The included Rega Carbon cartridge isn’t anything special but manages to be a great match for the turntable.
It’s a tough choice between the Planar 1 and the Debut Carbon but you can’t go wrong with either. Price is an investmentThe Marantz TT-15S1 costs a serious bit of change, but you’re actually getting a killer bargain. The Clearaudio Virtuoso included with the turntable is $1000 when purchased separately. Additionally, you get a killer tonearm and gorgeous turntable at a price that’s definitely an investment, but not unreasonable.So what does the Marantz TT-15S1 get you over the competition? Attention to detail. Just about every part of the turntable has been poured over to be the best it can be for the price. The fit and finish are excellent and it’s a pleasure to handle the high-quality components.
This is a turntable you’ll find yourself admiring its visual and audible qualities.Newbies should not get this turntable as it requires more knowledge to set up properly than the entry-level turntables on this list. But if you’re ready to take your record collecting and listening to the next level, the Marantz TT-15S1 is the perfect place to start.Read the full review. Expensive (but still a bargain)If the Clearaudio Concept and Marantz TT-15S1 seem familiar, that’s because the Marantz was built by Clearaudio to Marantz’s specifications.
This means everything about the excellent build quality of the Marantz carries over to the Clearaudio Concept (i.e. This is a turntable that is as gorgeous as it sounds).One small but notable difference between the Marantz and the Clearaudio is the ability to play 78 rpm records.
While most people will never come across 78s, it’s nice to know that the Clearaudio Concept is capable of playing them. The Concept also has a handy speed dial on the plinth, meaning you don’t have to swap the belt position manually.As for negatives, the Clearaudio Concept has no notable flaws.
Yes, it’s expensive but you’re still getting a bargain in this price range. The included Clearaudio Concept moving-coil cartridge costs $1,000 by itself.
Yep!Read the review. Forgettable designThe Sony PS-HX500 is a great entry-level turntable for those just getting started with record collecting. Its standout feature is its ability to record Hi-Res audio from its USB output in 96kHz/24bit resolution. This is an excellent feature for those looking to digitize their records.In terms of sound quality, the Sony PS-HX500 sound spacious and provides good detail. However, the included needle sounds a bit harsh and sibilant at times and lacks the resolution of more expensive cartridges.While some may like the minimalist design of the Sony, it’s utterly forgettable and its plastic build leaves a lot to be desired. Handling the turntable on a daily basis leaves us wanting more premium materials that don’t rattle. Not the last word in dynamism$1700 / £1500 (around AU$2750) for a record player is expensive no matter the brand, and it’s Cambridge’s most expensive-ever turntable by a mile.
But it’s uniquely specified, and intends to deliver all the many and various advantages of the vinyl format with very few of the compromises.The fact it’s able to stream wirelessly to a 24bit/48kHz aptX HD standard makes it number one in a field of one. No other record player from any better-established brand in this sort of market - Rega, for instance, or Clearaudio - is able to come close to this level of convenience.Read the review. Not that subtleMeet the budget-friendly Technics SL-1500C that will only set you back £899 / $999 / AU$2499. It's still not the most affordable turntable on the market, but it's first the reborn Technics has so far delivered really remind listeners of what they loved about the brand in the first place.Sound-staging is impressive, with recordings given plenty of elbow-room for individual instruments to make their presence felt. There’s depth and height to the Technics’ stage, as well as width, but despite all this breathing-room there’s no lack of unity to the sound the SL-1500C delivers.Read the review:. Need some speakers to go with your new record player? Check out the in 2019.