On the precipice of buying your first proper turntable and want to make a suitable investment? Is this maybe the first turntable you are planning to purchase that is not inherited from a family member, an investment for life that you want to make sure you do right?
While many manufacturers presume that laypeople are aware of the variations of turntables already, the fact of the matter is that a whole new generation of people is falling in love with vinyl but don’t have all the information. Many are looking to purchase their first turntable. So, we at Drocer Record have taken it upon ourselves to pave the path and guide this next generation of music enthusiasts.
The first thing you need to know is that turntables can be categorised in two simple ways: automatic & manual. Here the basic difference is how you place the stylus or “needle,” on and take it off of the record.
It all boils down to what are you more comfortable with. And perhaps more significantly, how do both of these actually differ? Well, let us give you a complete account and then you can decide.
Manual Turntables:
You do all the heavy lifting work with a manual turntable, as the name quite literally implies. To begin playing a record, you lower the tonearm onto it. When the record is finished, you take the tonearm off, return it to its resting position, and switch the table off. The designs are simpler, and there are no extras on the tonearm, ensuring no interference with the tracking.
Besides, manual turntables provide you with the most possibilities – you would know exactly where to place your stylus on your record groove and play your desired track.
They are low on maintenance as there are no internal mechanisms and fewer things that can break. If you want top-notch performance and an immersive vinyl listening experience, a high-quality manual turntable is a terrific choice. Be aware, though, that you will need to set aside much more focused time in your day to listen to your record collection.
The best part? It can always be upgraded rather than purchasing a new record player. Most serious record collectors, according to general consensus, prefer manual turntables. (if you can ignore the slight aggravation of a little effort of course). We Recommend Rega Turntables for their top-of-the-class performance!
Automatic Turntables:
A turntable that operates automatically will raise the tonearm from its resting position and lower it onto the record precisely where it should be. They provide a great deal of convenience in this way. Automatic turntables are the way to go if you’re just getting into vinyl and starting to build up a collection because they provide you with complete control over preventing unintentional damage to your records or vinyl. All of your concerns will vanish with a fully automatic table.
Do you believe that while listening to your albums, you might accidentally nod off? (Just two words: soulful music) With an automatic turntable, you won’t have to worry about your stylus being stuck in the inner groove for a long period of time while you are sleeping off. There is barely any work to be done because the tracking force and anti-skate are often present. Plastic is frequently used to manufacture automatic turntables, which can help keep costs down. This can be a very helpful alternative because it can be difficult and a little time-consuming to consistently put a delicate stylus into a record.
Although one should know that because an automatic turntable accommodates some extra components, it will produce more unwanted noise than a manual one. When you are purchasing an automatic turntable what you are essentially choosing is functionality and convenience. Hence, automatic turntables are the clear winner for casual convenience-seeking vinyl listeners! (But for the best sound, the fewer mechanisms the better, which is unfortunately not the case with the automatic ones.)
Final thoughts?
While both automated and manual turntables produce high-quality audio, the more discerning listener will typically choose the manual turntable’s more robust audio.
For typical household use, the convenience of an automatic start and stop turntable will likely outweigh the necessity for nearly flawless sound quality.
The two automatic turntables we recommend for the start of your journey: the Denon DP29F and Audiotechnica LP60X. You can find a whole step-by-step set-up video on our Instagram and both these turntables on our website.
We also have a Beginner’s Pack that includes the Edifier 1280DB speakers along with the Denon DP29F turntable. Happy Choosing, Happy Shopping!
An Electronics Engineer & A MBA in Marketing Graduate, Kinjal Gosar is a passionate audiophile herself. Starting her career at India’s biggest Consumer Electronics Retail Chain, her technical knowledge is amazing. Classic Rock has been a huge part of her life and her love for Music has always been evident in all her work. A vinyl collector herself, she loves spreading the joy of analouge while giving nothing but the best to her fellow vinylheads.
