Are you tired of your favorite records sitting in a box in the basement? That’s no way to treat the oldies and the goodies. What you need is one of the best vintage turntables to bring that beautiful melody back to life, and keep its original sound.

Instead, you might consider purchasing a new turntable that will give you the same vintage feel without breaking the bank. Still, figuring out how to choose the best vintage turntable to get that authentic sound can be tricky.

There are many turntable options on the market and deciphering all the features might be more than overwhelming. That’s especially true when you want the best vintage turntable — or one as close to vintage as you can get.

And this is even truer if you’re just beginning your vinyl journey.

So, it’s important to start with the basics.

Turntables 101

It may seem simple, but to understand the features of a turntable, you need to know about its anatomy. All turntables have the same components, although the quality of each component will differ between price ranges.

And if you’re particularly nitpicky, there’s even a difference between a turntable and a record player. So, let’s start with that first.

Record player or turntable?

Many people use the terms “record player” and “turntable” interchangeably. They both play records, so what’s the difference, right?

Well, a record player is an all-in-one device that includes speakers and a built-in amplifier so you can simply plug it in and start listening to your records.

On the other hand, a turnable is a standalone device that turns the records and needs external components so you can hear what’s playing.

However, unless you’re a hardcore audiophile, the best vintage turntable you seek may often include built-in speakers in its base. Does this mean you’d have a record player and not a turntable?

It depends on how you look at it. Many turntables today also include modern technology like USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity where you still have to purchase external amplification. So, unless you’re nitpicky, you can call the best vintage turntable whatever you want.

And as long as it plays records the way you want to hear them, what you call the device doesn’t matter.

The guts are what matters

Every turntable or record player has the same components.

First, we have the cartridge which houses the stylus or needle. The stylus is the part that fits into the grooves of a record and plays it back. The cartridge fits on the end of the tonearm and can be changed when the needle needs replacement.

The tonearm holds the stylus and cartridge, and it can either be straight or curved. In addition, the tonearm includes a counterweight either pre-balanced or with one that requires manual balancing.

A properly balanced counterweight allows the record to play smoothly without any skipping. A tonearm can also include an anti-skate dial which prevents the needle from skimming across the record’s surface.

Next, we have the platter and mat. The platter rotates the records. Heavier platters are better because they can minimize vibrations and variations in record-playing speed.

The mat sits on top of the platter and is usually made of soft rubber. It acts as a cushion between the platter and the record.

Digging deeper

Then, we have the motor, which can either be belt-driven or direct-drive. Belt-driven turntables feature a belt that runs from the motor to spin the platter. In a direct-drive turntable, the motor is part of the platter.

There’s a debate about which one is better. Some turntable aficionados say the separation of the motor from the platter produces better sound. Others say it makes no difference. So, essentially, it boils down to preference.

And the best vintage turntable in today’s world can have either.

Finally, there’s the plinth which is just a fancy term for the cabinet that houses all of the above components. Classic vintage turntables are made of wood, but the best vintage turntable of today can be made from a variety of materials.

Also, some people refer to the plinth as the deck which is much more user-friendly, don’t you think?

Choosing the Best Vintage Turntable

So, now that you have the basics down, it’s time to consider what features you want when you purchase the best vintage turntable.

Manual or automatic

Turntables are either manual or automatic. Manual means you do the work of lifting the tonearm and placing the needle on the record. It also means you have to remove it once the record is done playing.

On the other hand, a fully automatic turntable does all the work for you. All you have to do is push a button for the tonearm to lift and drop the needle on the first track of the record. It’ll also return back to its rest position once the record is done playing. Plus, it automatically shuts down the motor.

It doesn’t matter which type you choose. What matters is how involved you want to be in your vinyl listening experience.

How sturdy is your deck?

As we learned, the deck is the cabinet that holds all the components of the turntable. Back in the day, the best vintage turntable was usually made of wood or steel. Sturdier materials meant less chance of vibration, which affects the quality of sound.

However, the best vintage turntable of today can be made of many sturdy materials, including plastic. So, what you choose is entirely up to you. And today’s turntables have some sleek and gorgeous designs.

Phono preamp

Phono preamps are an available output for you to listen to your records on external speakers or headphones. Some turntables have preamps built-in, but others do not.

If they don’t, then you’ll have to purchase a separate amplifier. However, if that’s something you want to do, you still need to make sure the turntable has output connections available.

Plus, not all turntables with built-in phono preamp will let you upgrade or change it out.

Playback speed

All turntables play records at 2 different speeds. 33.5 RPM plays 12-inch records while 45 RPM plays 7-inch records. So, when you see “two-speed” on the specs, that’s what it means.

Some turntables play at 78 RPM, which is what you’d need to play your great-grandparent’s 10-inch record collection. However, you’d probably have to purchase a vintage before vintage record player or at least a different kind of needle to spin those gems.

Modern features

Some turntables — even the best vintage turntable of today — include a USB port so you can make digital copies of your favorite albums. So, if you want to take the music with you, this is an option to consider.

However, remember that if you’re looking for the “vintage experience,” listening to a record on your phone isn’t anywhere near “vintage.”

In addition, other turntables have Bluetooth, which is a convenient option to control your music from anywhere in the house.

RELATED READS: Do You Need a Preamp for Your Turntable?

How We Found the Best

We conducted extensive research to find recommendations for the best vintage turntable from sources like Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Devoted to Vinyl, Playback.FM, hiconsumption.com, Crutchfield, and Mixmag.

Our research included learning about the various features that make the best vintage turntable the best. We also checked manufacturer websites for product specifications for these recommended turntables.

From that information, we picked a list of turntables as near to vintage as we could get based on the quality of sound, design, and customer reviews.

Once we had a preliminary list, we checked user and professional reviews of each turntable from YouTube, Analog Planet, techradar.com, Forbes, and CNET to choose our final list.

The Best Vintage Turntable: Our Top 6 Picks

Although we’ve numbered our picks, it does not signify a ranking.