The record player - the much-loved analogue sound
The record player is as popular as ever, and for good reason. Today, turntables both sound better than ever before, and they have become incredibly easy to get started with. At the same time, the record player has a sound that is more authentic than a digital medium, and the listening experience itself is more like reading a book - you hear the record as the artist intended it to be heard, because you are not "shopping" around among albums and skip numbers.
The record player is a very old and very simple concept, yet different techniques and materials can make a big difference to the sound you hear. That is why there are record players in all price ranges, from the simple gramophone to the advanced high-end systems. It is up to you to assess your level of enthusiasm so that together we can find the right record player for you.
How to get started with the turntable
You can start with a record player for DKK 3,000 and get a really nice all-round reproduction and also an easy set-up and easy operation. Some expensive turntables depend on you having experience and skill in setting up, as they almost come as a kit, where you can make the adjustment yourself, with a headlamp, a wet newspaper and a ruler. But you can also choose an LP player from one of the manufacturers who have the expertise and equipment to deliver the record player adjusted exactly as it should be. Gone are the days when vinyl players were complicated.
Why should I buy a record player?
A good quality record player can deliver a sound you rarely hear on sources such as streaming or CD. The record player has a completely characteristic warm and analogue sound, and therefore you will often find that the brain relaxes and you get a different and better experience of the music. The record player is also a faithful and reliable player that does not depend on the internet, bluetooth connection or other black magic over which we have no power. The record player plays when you lower the pickup onto the record, quite simply.
With a record player, you can also dive into millions of LPs from when the music was in original master quality and not copied. The fact that the LPs can be obtained for modest money today, and that LPs are still being published, all contribute to making the record player a contemporary and attractive music player.
Finally, there is the concept of focus. Today, we can both watch TV and listen to music through all kinds of streaming devices, and yet we do not "hear" the music. It just plays out there in a steady stream, regardless of whether we are exercising, cooking or sleeping. The record player, on the other hand, demands your attention, and just the fact that you have to find the record and put it on the record player is often enough to get you into a state of calm and focus, which is necessary for you to get the full experience of what the musicians wanted with the music.
Which turntable should I choose?
You can get an excellent turntable for DKK 3000, just as you can get turntables at absurd prices. Basically, the difference between cheap and expensive turntables should be that the more expensive they get, the more accurate, quieter and better playing they are. And precision is important when operating with groove movements down to a few thousandths of a millimeter. There is a free choice between "plug and play" solutions, where the manufacturer has installed a pickup, or assemble solutions yourself, where it is required that you know what to do when the record player needs to be set up. Get advice from us before you buy, so that you get the right one for your plant and your needs.
What is the difference between an expensive and cheap record player?
Typically, it will be a better tonearm, a better motor, a better platter and a better plinth. Better will mean less blur, less noise, higher precision, all in order to read the record without affecting the sound with negatives such as distortion and poor stability. An expensive record player is not necessarily better than a cheap one, which makes it wise to have them demonstrated in the store. Within a brand, however, one must assume that the most expensive is the best.
A rule to remember is that the more automatic for a given price, the worse sound you get, compared to a manual record player in the same price range.
Cheap turntables
When you buy a cheap record player from us, you still get a record player of high quality. Rega's Planar 1 is an excellent example of how good a sound you can get from your LP records. For just under DKK 3,000, you get a record player where a full 2 years have been spent just developing the pickup. Even though these are relatively cheap turntables, our brands are distinguished by the fact that there is still a great care and attention to detail that you will not find with many other manufacturers. This is why the Planar 1 has been named Product of the Year 6 years in a row by What Hi-Fi?
Hi-Fi record players
If you move up in the price range above, you will find a Rega turntable such as the Planar 3, which was voted Product of the Year 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Here there are also serious Pro-Ject turntables such as the X1, which was voted Product of the Year in 2019-2020 by the EISA Awards. If you want an even better reproduction of your LP collection, the Pro-Ject X2 is also an excellent choice for a turntable that delivers high performance and build quality.
High-End turntables
In the very big league you will find turntables such as Mark Levinson No. 5105, Rega Planar 8 and 10, Pro-Ject X8, RPM 9 and RPM 10 Carbon, Avid Diva II and Volvere SP. These turntables are uncompromising, which is why they don't have built-in RIAA amplifiers. They are of such high quality that they require an external RIAA amplifier to get the best possible result. These turntables can give any CD player and streamer a fight to the finish line when it comes to the ultimate sound reproduction.
What accessories should your turntable use?
There are accessories for the record player, which are both optional and an absolute necessity. Among the optional items you will find record brushes , record cleaners and record tighteners , which provide a significant improvement in the sound. The record brush and record cleaners also extend the life of your pickup, because they remove the dust in the grooves of the LP so that it is not collected by the fine and very sensitive needle on the pickup.
The necessary accessory for the record player is an RIAA amplifier and pickup , if your amplifier or record player is not already equipped with this.
See our turntable selection
Get advice and guidance from the Sound Specialist
At LYDspecialisten in Aalborg, we always have a large selection of record players that you can stop by and listen to. Here you can hear the turntables in good demo facilities, and our specialists are always ready to help you find the right turntable for you. If you need advice, contact us here .
FAQ about turntables
Many people think of turntables as something unwieldy, reserved for audiophiles. But the truth is that turntables are a great way to enjoy music, and it doesn't have to be as difficult or technical as it may seem. Here is our FAQ, which can help you get started with the turntable.
What is a record player?
A record player is a mechanical audio player that uses a vinyl record to play music. It consists of a turntable, a tone arm, a pickup and an amplifier. Turntables are known for their authentic sound and are an important element in many High-Fidelity systems. This is because, quite simply, there are no other media capable of recreating the characteristic sound of vinyl.
How does a record player work?
When a vinyl record is placed on the turntable, it starts to rotate. As the needle on the tonearm moves down the groove on the record, it converts the mechanical vibrations from the groove into an electrical signal which is sent through the pickup and on to the amplifier. The amplifier boosts the signal so that it can be played by the speakers.
How to adjust a record player to achieve the best sound quality?
There are several adjustments that can be made to achieve the best sound quality. These include adjusting needle pressure, anti-skating, VTA and azimuth. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions or get help from a professional, as adjustments may vary depending on the turntable design.
How to maintain a record player?
It is important to clean the turntable regularly to maintain high sound quality and extend its life. This includes cleaning the turntable, tonearm, pickup and dust cover. In addition, vinyl records should be stored in a dry and cool room to avoid damage to the record or poor quality playback.