Record Player Test 2020: Test Winner And Bestseller

2023 Author: Sheila Hailey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 11:17

• Bestseller under 150 euros at Amazon: Dual DT 230 BT
• Price-performance tip for beginners: Sony PS-LX310BT
• Test winner at WhatHifi: Rega Planar 1
• Hi-Fi turntable with USB: Teac TN-400BT
• Robust DJ turntable: Technics SL-1210MK7
• Record player: what you should know before buying

The best turntables in 2020: all test winners and recommendations at a glance

The price range for turntables ranges from around 100 euros for a usable entry-level device to several thousand euros for a high-end model. GIGA editor Stefan has incorporated his own experience and research in specialist journals into this summary. Current turntable models are presented, which have received special praise from the press and customers and are therefore recommended for a purchase.

placement	product	Street price	offer
Amazon bestseller	Dual DT 230 BT	approx. 125 euros	To Amazon
Price-performance tip	Sony PS-LX310BT	about 200 euros	To Saturn
Test winner WhatHifi	Rega Planar 1	about 380 euros	To Amazon
Hi-Fi model with USB	Teac TN-400BT	approx. 430 euros	To MediaMarkt
DJ record player	Technics SL-1210MK7	approx. 900 euros	To Thomann

Bestseller under 150 euros at Amazon: Dual DT 230 BT

If you look at the constantly updated list of record player bestsellers on Amazon, then the Dual DT 230 BTeither in first place or at least in the front ranks. With a price of 149 euros (RRP), it is an entry-level model that, according to the manufacturer, is "fully automatic". This means that the tonearm is automatically attached and the auto-stop function ends the playback in good time at the end of the plate. Both processes that would normally require the user's attention. A switchable phono preamplifier is integrated (preamplifier selector switch to "LINE"), so you do not have to rely on a phono input on the amplifier / receiver. The "BT" in the product name of the Dual DT 230 BT stands for Bluetooth - the turntable can also be connected wirelessly to a stereo system (or BT speakers or headphones) (see page 15 in the PDF operating instructions).

The ratings on Amazon speak for themselves: 4.4 out of 5 stars with over 680 votes, most buyers are very satisfied. The following are praised: the good price-performance ratio, the quick set-up and the simple operation. The build quality (a lot of plastic) is less good. Also, you shouldn't expect any sonic booms in this price range. By the way: If you don't need the Bluetooth function of the Dual DT 230 BT, you can also take a look at the sister model Dual DT 210 USB for around 100 euros: It is a little cheaper and offers a practical USB connection for digitizing records.

Advantages:

• Easy to get started with fully automatic (put on tonearm and auto-stop)
• Bluetooth integrated

Disadvantage:

• Simple processing quality
• Sonically at the entry level

Dual DT 230 BT

Now from € 130.85 at Amazon Similar offer at Otto price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 1:55 a.m.

Price-performance tip for beginners: Sony PS-LX310BT

The Japanese company Sony became known not only for the successful Playstation series or, at that time, unbeatable tube TV, but also for its high-quality audio division. The record player Sony PS-LX310BT for 199 euros (RRP) confirms that the brand name "Sony" is still a guarantee for well-thought-out and reliable products.

The German trade magazine Stereo praises the "excellently equipped turntable without stumbling blocks for newcomers to vinyl" and awards a maximum rating of 5 stars in the "price-performance" category. Top marks are also given by WhatHifi and Trustedreviews. The testers agree: The fully automatic Sony PS-LX310BT offers top performance for an attractive price. One does not penetrate into the highest sonic spheres with such an entry-level model - the advantages are more with simple setup and operation, so that even beginners can quickly go on music discovery trips.

Advantages:

• Fully automatic (put on tonearm and auto-stop)
• Bluetooth integrated

Disadvantage:

Sound: OK for the price range, but there is a lack of details in the heights

Sony PS-LX310BT

Now from 188.55 € at Saturn Similar offer at Otto Similar offer at Amazon Price can now be higher. Price from 27.07.2020 02:14 a.m.

Test winner at WhatHifi: Rega Planar 1

With the Rega Planar 1 for 380 euros you are no longer in the entry-level class and may have higher expectations in terms of sound and processing quality. The bestseller from UK has been improved in small details over the years. The Rega Planar 1 was the "Award Winner" at WhatHifi (see edition "Vinyl Special" May 2020, also available from Readly), which also won the coveted 5-star rating in the test. The sound is precise and expressive, the structure simple, the design minimalistic and appealing.

Paul Rigby ("The Audiophile Man") even awards the ultra-rare "Golden Groovy" award after testing the Rega Planar 1 and explains: "I have test reports on almost 250 products on this website. It is only the fourth time that I have given such an award - this record player is so good.”His final score: 10 out of 10 points.

Advantages:

• Very good sound
• Simple construction, solid workmanship

Disadvantage:

Equipment is limited to the essentials (no Bluetooth, no integrated pre-phono, etc.)

Rega Planar 1 high-end turntable including Rega Carbon MM cartridge

Now from € 369.44 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 01:02 a.m.

Hi-Fi turntable with USB: Teac TN-400BT

Belt drive, switchable phono preamplifier, Bluetooth, USB connection: The Teac TN-400BT combines tried and tested with modern additional features, packaged in a classy and attractive housing. "The rich equipment comes with clean acoustics: The Teac TN-400BT delivers (…) a pleasant, balanced sound with beautiful dynamics, full bass and present highs," praises Volker Frech in a detailed review for the Lite magazine. The Stereoplay editorial team (edition 01/2017, also available from Readly) mentions the high-quality and handy aluminum controls and classifies the sound as powerful, balanced and charming. The price-performance ratio gets the sub-grade "outstanding".

The weaknesses of the Teac TN-400BT have to be looked for with a magnifying glass. A possible point of criticism: the equipment is considerable, but in the end not all-inclusive. Anyone who expects an automatic tonearm or auto stop will be disappointed here. Everyone else is happy about one of the best manual turntables to be found in this price range.

Advantages:

• Very good sound
• High quality
• Bluetooth, USB, phono pre-stage

Disadvantage:

Manual operation: vinyl beginners may prefer to use a fully automatic model

Teac TN-400BT HiFi turntable

Now from € 322.38 at Amazon Similar offer at Saturn Price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 01:30 a.m.

Robust DJ turntable: Technics SL-1210MK7

The Beastie Boys rapped on Technics turntables ("Unite"), EPMD ("Funky Piano") and many others: Hip-Hop and the Technics SL-1210, it just always belonged together. But even in the well-kept house club or the loft of a vinyl collector / DJ, there is a very high chance that you will meet the "mother of all turntables", the "1210". You should actually use the term “cult” sparingly, but in the case of technology you cannot emphasize it often enough. It is the original that has often been copied but never matched. Even if a manufacturer was technically close to a model or even provided better values on the data sheet - no other record player in the world can match the pop-cultural importance of the Technics SL-1210.

The Technics SL-1210MK7 is the current model of this model range that has been maintained for decades, but at a price of just under 900 euros it is already positioned a bit high - especially since as a DJ you need two of them to play. Whether the robust workmanship, the strong direct drive or the rich sound are the decisive arguments for purchase, that remains to be seen. Maybe you just get the technics just because you want the legend at home. Technical details no longer play a major role.

Advantages:

• Legendary direct drive
• Legendary workmanship
• Legendary design

Disadvantage:

Crass DJ skills and good taste in music are not in the box, you have to continue to develop this for many years

Marvel at Technics SL-1210MK7 at Thomann

The “creepy sides” also belong to the “fascination of vinyl”. We present aesthetically questionable record covers as a series of pictures:

Start photo gallery (50 photos)

Record player: what you should know before buying

Where the small brands are the big names

As can be seen in our purchase recommendations above, small and less well-known brands can obviously also count among the big names in turntables. Specialized manufacturers have built up an excellent reputation among audio connoisseurs for many years - whereas technology giants like Samsung, LG or Apple have nothing to report in this area. A list of important brand names for turntables and matching accessories (e.g. pickups) that you should have heard before buying a turntable (in alphabetical order, without claiming to be exhaustive):

• Audio-Technica (Japan)
• Cambridge Audio (UK)
• Dual (Germany)
• Ortofon (Denmark)
• Pro-Ject Audio Systems (Austria)
• Rega (UK)
• Teac (Japan)
• Technics (Japan)
• Thorens (Switzerland)
• Transrotor (Germany)

Check out the bestseller on Amazon

Structure and sound quality of turntables

The basic structure of a turntable: The turntable is located on the (usually cuboid) base. The tonearm hovers over it (attached to the tonearm holder) and the cartridge with the needle (stylus) is attached to its tip. If the motor of the turntable is connected to the turntable by a belt (in some models even visible from the outside), then one speaks of the belt drive - a widely used and proven design that minimizes noise caused by the motor in a simple way. However, DJs usually prefer a powerful and fast starting direct drive without belts.

Numerous articles have already been written on the sound quality of turntables and endless debates have been conducted in Internet forums. Whether the analog vinyl sounds better than digital formats such as CDs and MP3 - or whether the newer technologies are ultimately clearly superior - we do not want to decide at this point. The fact is: listening to music with the turntable is a particularly loving variant. The large and artistic record covers, the soulful placement of the needle, the limited playing time (approx. 25 minutes per side with an LP), the gentle (dust) crackling - all this makes the "record player" experience unique.

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Integrated speakers: turntables with boxes

Watch Auna record player with loudspeaker at Otto

Some turntables have a built-in speaker - but these models are usually found in the lowest price range, so you shouldn't have high expectations in terms of sound and build quality. Of course, these devices are suitable for the simple playing of a record that has been found on the flea market. But if you want to enjoy high quality music for many years, you should definitely invest a little more and buy a combination of one of the above models and a good stereo system with phono input.