A turntable is a strange and wonderful thing. Potentially the most iconic – in terms of image or status – of any of the hi-fi separates, the gift of a turntable – for yourself or another – is sure to raise the right kind of eyebrows. It speaks volumes (pun intended) about both the giver and the receiver, and can make a serious mark on that person’s life from there on. But which one to pick? The turntable field is full of mines when you’re buying for yourself let alone for another – so we’ve stepped up to give you a few ideas.
Lets just say – for arguments’ sake – that this is their very first turntable. With this in mind, just to get them started. Other things to consider are price, value for money, aesthetic, sound quality, usability, what the critics think and, of course, what we think.
So, without further ado, here are five of our favourite, most gift-worthy, entry-level turntables.
QUICK GLOSSARY
- Turntable – the vinyl record player
- Tonearm – the long arm that sweeps across the record holding the phono cartridge and stylus
- Phono Cartridge – the rectangular pick-up at the end of the tonearm connecting to the wires in the tonearm and holding the stylus that plays the record
- Stylus – this is part of the phono cartridge – fixed in MC cartridges but can be changed when worn in MM cartridges – and is traditionally referred to as the “needle” – this is what sits in the record groove and reads it
Remember, all prices stated were correct at the time of publishing and may be subject to change.
1. Lenco L-83 – £94.90
The Lenco L-83 is potentially the most low-cost turntable you will find that’s actually worth a purchase! It may be cheap, but it neither looks or sounds it. This metallic grey turntable offers USB direct encoding – for MP3s – and also has a built in pre-amplifier, so as a beginner’s turntable it has a lot of offer. It features a moving magnetic cartridge, mechanical arm lift, track splitting, auto return and auto stop – so considering the price it can hardly be deemed ‘basic’. There’s even a dust cover attached, so this is a pretty good ‘all in’ option.
Why do we like it?
We can’t guarantee that the sound will blow your socks off – but we can promise this is a sturdy little piece of kit with more features than you’d expect for the price.
2. Pro-Ject Elemental – £159
The Pro-Ject Elemental is an excellent gift idea for a number of reasons. To start with – look at it. It’s beautifully contemporary and minimalist, without bordering on understated – and it packs a serious punch in the sound department too. But best of all, this is a ‘plug-in-and-play turntable, so there is no set up required. Perfect for beginners – even better as a gift. It’s truly simple in every way – and comes complete with an Ortofon OM cartridge and an ultra low-mass tonearm. Pro-Ject are renowned for their high quality turntables – and the Elemental is far from the exception.
Why do we like it?
We just do. Everything about this turntable screams excellent value and you can’t go wrong with a Pro-Ject, even a ‘cheap’ one. And there are three striking finishes to chose from, so your personality can scream too.
Why do they like it?
‘The Elemental is yet another top class budget deck from Pro-Ject. It’s a fine first step on the vinyl ladder.’ (What Hi-Fi? Magazine)
3. Pro-Ject Essential II – £285
Yes, we know that Pro-Ject feature pretty heavily in this list – they’re just that good. And the Essential II is another award winning offering. This is a little pricier, but you get a lot for your money. The Essential II is ideal for those looking to get into vinyl who want more than just a basic deck. It features an internal phono stage which will allow it to be plugged into any amp. Best of all, the USB output allows for vinyl to be recorded digitally – if you are that way inclined.
Why do we like it?
It’s simple, but it’s effective. And it sounds divine! Excellent value for money, and the USB feature is pretty nifty.
Why do they like it?
‘The Essential II is a frill-free entry-level product that gets all the basics spot-on. It’s easy to set-up and even easier to enjoy. It makes listening to records fun, and we can’t ask much more than that.’ (What Hi-Fi? Magazine)
4. TEAC LPR500 – £239
The TEAC LPR500 is a bit of a wild card – and probably the strangest turntable we stock. But, as gifts go, it’s pretty special, especially considering just how much it involves. It’s a turntable with built in speakers and it features a integrated amp too, so this would be ideal for a complete beginner who is minus any sort of speaker/amp set up. It will record vinyl and cassettes directly onto CD and will play vinyl radio or CDs as well as anything else – perfect if you need to save space, or are looking for a place to start. And it sounds pretty bloody good too, even without considering how much it can do!
Why do we like it?
It’s unique (as far as we’re aware, this is the only one of its kind) – but it’s not a gimmick. This is a turntable that can stand up to the competition and hold its head up high. And it’s pretty cool that it can play cassettes too. You’d be pushed to find anything new worth buying that can do that!
5. Pro-Ject Debut Carbon – £325
Of course, we’ve saved the best for last. Pro-Ject’s Debut Carbon is the second incarnation of its predecessor: the Debut. And its been turning the heads of critics and audiophiles alike ever since its… er… debut! It may be a little pricier than its peers, but when you buy a turntable, every penny shows. This multi-award winner is no lightweight – it features a carbon tonearm, two Ortofon cartridge options and plenty of other exciting upgrades and improvements. There are six colour options too – so your gift will really shine through!
Why do we like it?
This turntable epitomises how accessible (read: affordable) hi-end vinyl playback is this day-and-age, and we believe that everyone deserves to hear their favourite music in its best possible form.
Why do they like it?
‘With its full-size platter and smart-looking arm, the Debut in Carbon form does offer an uplift in performance in return for a modest price increase, and certainty gets quite striking results from the gutsy-sounding Ortofon 2M Red cartridge…a convincing package at this price point’ (Hi-Fi News Magazine)
… we’d recommend a supplementing your new turntable a few vinyl LPs too, Can’t have it going to waste!