Vinyl records are back in fashion, although for many of us it never stopped trending. DJs back in the day used to bring their records about with them to create those smooth mixes that brought delight to our ears and made our bodies move along to those beats. When vinyl gradually progressed to CDs, MP3s, and then apps, there was an initial outcry. However, we can now rejoice with the resurgence of its popularity. This has naturally meant that record players are also popular because vinyl cannot be played without one, meaning we are able to not only make new memories but also take a trip down memory lane when we play a record. If you’ve got some vinyl that you want to play but need a record player, here are some tips to help you select the right one for you and your music.
Quality of Sound
You’re buying a record player to listen to music – that is its sole purpose – so you want the sound to be second to none. Vinyl is often said to provide the best sound recordings of music because of the depth richness and warmth of the sounds produced when playing them. Many record players have built-in speakers, although as mentioned at toprecordplayers.com/, external speakers often produce a better sound. Therefore, you may want to consider investing in some decent speakers. However, the quality of sound coming from a record player can vary. This is often down to the materials used to build it, such as the stylus, audio components, and materials used to construct it, such as having a wooden casing or an acrylic platter. Players that omit a lot of sounds are often bigger and have greater power.
USB Connectivity
Although record players and vinyl are retro, the advantage of them being back in fashion is that they can take the best of technological advancements to make something unique. For instance, a record player with USB connectivity was something unheard of back in the eighties, but how many record player owners would have appreciated what having a USB in their player could do. With a USB port, it enables music to be downloaded onto a laptop or PC or a USB stick, converting the analog piece of music into a digital file that can be uploaded onto various devices. Some record players work two ways by enabling this type of downloading via USB output and also being able to play digital music via a USB input.
Wireless
Just like the USB output being a new addition to a retro item, being wireless is also a new concept for those familiar with old school record players. These used to require a lead that would plug into electricity in order to work. However, you can now purchase a wireless record player that requires charging or batteries in which to operate. This would make your record player an ideal accessory to take to the park for you and your friends to enjoy the musical sounds it produces whilst eating a picnic or chillaxing outside in the sun. It also avoids the need for a constant power source at home and reducing unsightly wires.
Portability
This is completely down to your individual choices. For instance, do you want to listen to your vinyl in one room or do you want to be able to listen to them in more than one room or place? If you want to play your records elsewhere, then a portable record player may be more suitable for transporting than one that is intended for static use in your home. Portable players often come with a handle and locks, making it a lot easier to move around.
Automatic, Manual, or In-Between?
Record players can come with different tonearms, which are as follows.
- An automatic tonearm
This tonearm requires no human intervention. It moves automatically to place the stylus on the record in order to play it. It then returns back to the beginning of the record when it has finished playing.
- A semi-automatic tonearm
This tonearm has to be manually placed at the beginning of the record or where you want to place it. However, it will move back to the beginning of the music it played when it stops playing, without the need for human intervention.
- A manual tonearm
Unlike the other two arms, this one has to be manually moved to where you want it to play and back to the beginning when it has finished. Many retro record players were originally like this or were semi-automatic.
The record player has come back, improved, and with a new lease of life. All those records in your attic can be dusted down and played to a new generation of listeners. They can also purchase vinyl to play their own music. Having a record player is a great way to connect to another generation over your common love of music. Once you know what you’re looking for, making that investment will be something that will bring you and your loved one’s enjoyment for many years to come.