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How do I choose a turntable? Questions to ask before making a purchase
Before buying a turntable, you need to be asking yourself the right questions. Choosing the right turntable is no easy task. To help you in your search, we've drawn up a list of questions we think you should be asking yourself before buying a record player. Your answers will help you narrow down your options to a smaller selection of turntables that are tailored to your needs.
When you're just starting the process of buying a turntable, the first thing you’ll need to consider is the equipment you already own. All of the separate components of your Hi-Fi system must be of the same quality. For example, if you have a mid-range to high-end phono preamp or amplifier that you're happy with, the turntable you choose should be of a good enough production quality to be able to make the most of your preamp/amp’s capacities.
Before you buy a turntable, you should also make sure that it is compatible with the equipment you already own. For example, if you already have an amplifier, you'll need to make sure that it has a phono input. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to get your hands on a phono preamplifier, an essential item for anyone looking to buy a turntable!
For those of you just starting out in the world of vinyl, we’ve put together an article detailing all the components you need to make a record player work:
Our technicians are available for consultation on your specific needs and equipment (contact)
The components of a Hi-Fi system should be of a consistent quality
2. What are my musical tastes?
Your answer to this question will help you understand which turntable would be the best fit for your musical preferences. Depending on whether you're more into rock, classical or jazz, your choice of turntable will differ.
Please feel free to contact our technical service for guidance, especially if you're new to the world of vinyl and have no reference by which to judge a turntable. When you get in touch, you could also let us know if you like dynamic playback, or if you prefer a more transparent and neutral sound quality.
3. Will I want to upgrade my turntable later?
When you're looking to buy a turntable, you could also begin to think about any potential upgrades you might like to make. As it happens, most turntables are upgradeable. This means that they can be improved by making changes, such as replacing the phono cable or phono cartridge. However, some turntables have a captive phono cable, which cannot be replaced. You can find this information in the data sheet of each turntable.
It is also worth noting that the more upgradeable your prospective turntable is, the more accessories are available for upgrading and improving it. This will allow you to significantly boost sound quality. You can even do this in stages if your budget does not allow for an outright purchase of a more high-end turntable.
We have put together two comprehensive shopping guides for upgrading your turntable and Hi-Fi system more generally, which can be accessed via the following links:
You should also be thinking about how much you want to spend on buying your turntable. We offer a very wide selection of record players, spanning from entry-level to the the very top of the range.
To help you in your choice, we have drawn up shopping guides tailored to all budgets:
Again, our technicians are on hand to provide you with information and guidance on how to make the right choice for your budget.
5. How can I be sure I’m making the right choice?
All the turntables for sale on our website have undergone extensive testing by our technicians. We have drawn up a technical data sheet for each one, containing details about the composite materials and operation of the turntable, as well as the sound quality it delivers (tested on several musical styles).
And on top of that, our YouTube channel contains a large number of demonstration videos featuring the majority of our flagship and best-selling models. As well as being useful before you buy your first turntable, they can also help you with later decisions if you end up making adjustments.
Please feel free to get in touch if you would like some personalised advice - you're sure to get an expert opinion on your decision (contact).
6. Why should I buy my turntable from maPlatine.com?
At maPlatine.com, we are committed to providing:
- The very best advice
- The very best service
- The very best products
We also offer personalised advice tailored to you. We know that because every customer has different needs, they can all benefit from expert guidance in buying a turntable or any other product on our website.
All of our turntables are tested and set up before delivery so all you have to do when it arrives is install it, then sit back and enjoy the music! For more details on how your orders are prepared and checked, please feel free to read the following article on the subject:
All of our products - except cartridges, styli and belts - have a warranty of 2 years. We have also recently launched warranty extensions, giving you extra peace of mind in the form of 5 years of protection after purchase. Find out more below:
We hope that this guide has given you the information you need to make the right choice of record player. If you’re still not sure of your decision, remember that you can email us any time for 100% personalised advice. You can even make an appointment to come and try out your future turntable in our auditorium near Rennes!
