7 Best Automatic Turntables
The music industry is going through a vinyl revival moment and people are realizing that turntables can be fun. Surely, when you hear the word vinyl player, the mind goes back to that relic gathering dust at your grandparent’s house with large round discs carefully preserved in jackets. If you have heard one of these before, you probably know that the sound produced is crisp and clear and somewhat raw.
Not so long ago, the only devices able to play these records would have been vinyl players which a modern-day enthusiast would be wary to use because of their delicate construction. But the modern vinyl players have had a major makeover with the user not worrying about damaging the delicate mechanism with plenty of add-ons to boast about.
And if you have made up your mind to get one of these, there are dozens to choose from. And so, we went through a comprehensive list and came up with some of the best turntables on the market so you don’t have to.
Top Picks for Best Automatic Turntables
1. All-In-One: Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB
You can connect this turntable directly to a stereo or speakers without any additional accessories, and it can also convert your records into digital music via USB.
2. Easy Set-Up: Fluance RT81 High Fidelity Turntable
This beautifully-engineered device offers pure sound reproduction with total clarity, and comes with an included Audio-Technica cartridge already installed and calibrated.
3. Golden Oldie: 1 BY ONE Belt-Drive Vinyl Record Player
This beautiful player has a retro-inspired look that will make you stop and stare, with built-in speakers and Bluetooth connectivity, and it doesn't come with a hefty price tag.
4. Uber Cool: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO Turntable
With a great build quality, a carbon fiber tonearm, and a modular design, this turntable is a customer favorite among more serious vinyl enthusiasts willing to invest in a genuinely premium setup.
5. Best Performer: Audio-Technica AT-LP60X
This gadget is a great companion to a vinyl enthusiast's existing gear thanks to its straightforward, fully-automatic functionality that just works right out of the box.
6. Mini Wonder: Audio-Technica AT-LPGO-BT
Customers can't stop marveling about the compact, lightweight design and portability of this wireless turntable, which pairs over Bluetooth for a genuinely minimal setup.
7. All-in-One: Retrolife Belt-Drive Turntable with Wireless Output
Works right out of the box, offers solid sound quality for the price, and pairs with your smartphone or speakers instantly over Bluetooth.
FAQs
Do I Need an Automatic Turntable?
If you have always been attracted to vinyl players in the past and are not sure how to use a manual one, an automatic turntable is for you. A lot of people are scared of putting the tonearm on the vinyl record for the fear of damaging it, and if that’s the case an automatic turntable can do it for you.
Fully-Automatic or Semi-Automatic?
It is quite simple. If you see a semi-automatic turntable, it means that the tonearm will need to be manually placed on the vinyl record. After the record is done playing, the tonearm will lift automatically.
On the other hand, an automatic turntable will cue the tonearm and the needle and will shut off the turntable when the record is over.
Is a Portable Turntable a Good Idea?
It is if you move around a lot. But it doesn’t mean that turntables are incredibly bulky devices, at least not the modern ones. But generally speaking, moving vinyl records around is always a little risky.
Choosing the Best Automatic Turntables
Vinyl has seen growing loyalty over the last few years. It could be the warm sound they produce, or maybe a childhood memory, but it is clear that analog players are going to stay. A turntable is a device that “reads” the data in the vinyl records and turns them into signals, but a good one will reproduce the original sound. And there are these factors to be considered:
Is It Upgradable?
It is not a prerequisite, but it does not hurt to know if you can upgrade the turntable at some point if you wish to. This will improve certain aspects of your turntable and as a result, produce better output. The upgradable parts are usually the tonearm, platter and the stylus.
Budget
As it is quite clear from the list we compiled, it is not necessary that you have to spend big bucks to get an excellent automatic turntable. Some turntables listed here are very reasonably priced. You don’t want to spend a lot of money and get stuck with it when all you are going to be doing with the turntable is play AM/FM.
Direct Drive or Belt Driven?
If you are a professional, then these things may be deemed important. But since we are talking about automatic turntables here, we would have to go with belt-driven turntables because the amount of vibration they produce is significantly lesser than motor-driven turntables.
Speeds
This is an important aspect. The speed will depend upon the type of record you may have. The most common types of records are 33, 33 ⅓ and 45 RPM. others, like the 78 RPM (they have wider grooves and hence may need a different stylus) are not common, but they do exist.
Platter/Stylus
The most commonly found stylus (the part that runs in the vinyl record grooves) are usually made of diamond. The platter spins the records, and it is a good idea to have a heavy platter since a lighter one may cause unwanted noise. But in most automatic turntables, these two parts are replaceable.
In Conclusion
So, is it worth going in for an automatic turntable? A lot of music companies are bringing back the vinyl format and you can still find old records in junkyard sales. These turntables can turn these into digital sound too. We hope that you have all the necessary details to buy an automatic turntable that suits your needs.
