The music industry is constantly experiencing changes and technological advancement. Yet, it craves the feeling and vibe of the indigenous ways. Record players are back to being common; it might be because of its aesthetic or the quality of the sound. Whatever reason you decide to go retro, know you’ve decided to opt for a valuable and unique musical trend. Purchasing a record player remains a fantastic investment in your musical adventure.
When buying a record player, there are things to keep in mind. They include:
Size and speed
This feature is what makes the difference between most record players. Records come in different sizes and different rotational speeds. A 7-inch record is for music pieces that do not exceed five minutes and plays with a speed of 45 revolutions per minute (RPM). A 12-inch record can store up to 22 minutes of music and plays at 33 RPM. The 10-inch record has a speed of 78 RPM but it is rare and old. Most record players can play 33 and 45 RPM but only those labeled three speeds can support 78 RPM.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is an important reason to buy a record player. If the sound quality is below optimal, you won’t be encouraged to use the record player, making it a wasted investment. You can determine the sound’s quality of your record player from Top Record Players by the audio components (mode and construction). The difference in the audio components affects the purity and quality of the sound. An effective way out is to get a record player with many tech features (for more options) or a simple (easy to use) player. Your choice depends on how tech-savvy you are.
Automatic or manual
It is a necessary consideration when purchasing a record player, that is, what type of tonearm do you want? The automatic record player can be fully or semi-automatic. The fully automatic allows for the dropping of the stylus (needle) on the record without the intervention of anybody. It also enables automatic restart. The semi-automatic requires you to place the stylus on the record but automatically restarts once the music’s over.
Automatic offers convenience but takes away the classic feature of the record player. Due to this, many record player lovers prefer the manual record player. It allows you to place the stylus on the record and enables you to take it back to the beginning when the music’s over. The manual record play is the most available and will readily fit into any budget.
Digital Use
Records are analog so are the traditional record players. With the advancement in technology, there are record players that allow you to convert analog records to digital audio files using USB. Some record players allow you to connect to a Windows or Mac computer via a USB cable and allows for the conversion of the analog record to a digital one. Other record players use USB sticks for the conversion to digital audio files. Some record players allow you to connect a USB to play MP3 files through the player’s speaker.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is an important feature to pay attention to when purchasing a record player. You need to know whether the record player has a Bluetooth-in or Bluetooth-out feature. Bluetooth-in allows for wireless connection between your record player and your smartphone or MP3 player to play digital music via the player’s speaker. Bluetooth-out enables your record player to connect to a Bluetooth speaker.
Audio input and output
If you enjoy listening to music with a loudspeaker, your record player choice will be one with an aux-out function. It allows you to connect your record player with an external speaker using an external amplifier. If you enjoy using a headphone, your record player choice will be one with a headphone input. If you also want the option of playing your MP3 on your record player, look for a player with an aux-in function. It allows you to connect your player with any device that plays digital audio.
Portability
If you like listening to your records in different places, you should consider a portable record player. It comes with a handle, fold-able lock, and it is usually lightweight for easy carriage. They are also portable wireless record players you can take to places without electricity, like a park. All wireless record players are portable, but not all portable record players are wireless. They are designed to be used with batteries or rechargeable batteries.
Opting for a record player shows your unique and exceptional taste in music. Selecting the wrong player because you didn’t pay attention to vital features can make the use of a record player frustrating. Keep in mind these features for a fantastic musical experience with your record player.
