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Thorens is a renowned brand that produces an extensive range of phonograph models (turntables). However, does its products hold up to its name, or does its reputation precede it? This article will talk about a general review on Thorens turntables: are they good?

Thorens is an old brand, so it would be proper to assume that reviewing their whole lineup in a single sentence does not grant justice as to what they are worth. However, they are a reliable brand, albeit the price.

To get a holistic view of Thorens’ lineup, we have viewed community opinion as well as detailed reviews. Let us see how they hold up then.

A Review On Thorens Turntables: What Do The Experts Have To Say?

Thorens have made such a wide range of products up their catalog that it would be virtually impossible to finish this article if I had looked up every single one of their lineup. First of all, they started in the early 1900s and had their first electric turntable product up by 1928. Just thinking about reviewing all their products from 1928 makes me dizzy. (1)

In this section of the article, let us look at what the experts have to say. Moreover, we will also be looking back at memory lane and getting you a general overview of their lineup.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

As stated earlier, Thorens had produced and released their first electric turntable way back in 1928. However, the truth is that they had started the Thorens brand as a family business way back in 1883 and had produced musical boxes before they started with the phonographs. They had only started producing turntables in 1903. (1)

However, when they started producing these electric record players, they were so successful that even until today, their vintage record players are still rated as high-end record players. Imagine the prestige of being called high-end even after more than 50 years after release. That is a true legend out there, I tell you.

However, for Thorens, life wasn’t a rosy path. Instead, it was a quite thorny one, as, despite their cost-reduction efforts in 1997, their debts were too big to ignore, forcing them to be absorbed into a more prominent company.

Now, let us talk about the Thorens in the current time. How are their products holding up? Let’s ask the experts. 

What Do the Experts Have to Say?

When it comes to product reviews, who is the best to ask other than the audiophiles– or the experts themselves? In this section of the article, let us talk about what the experts had to say and what their Thorens turntables review.

First, I had to look up “What Hi-Fi?” had to say regarding Thorens turntables. To debrief you on “What Hi-Fi?” really is, first founded in 1976, “What Hi-Fi?” is a leading website that helps consumers select the highest grade hi-fi products.

While reviewing one of Thorens’ products, “What Hi-Fi?” has mentioned how the company has been a trusted manufacturer, having their origins be more than a hundred years in the past. This heritage, according to them, makes Thorens’ products highly reliable while also commenting on their excellent build quality as well as their innovative design. (2)

Thorens’ turntables are known to have a classic design, no alien-like form factor, no highly unique features. Still, they are exemplary at things that a turntable or record player considers as the most essential. They give you the basics, without the unnecessary fuss, but all the creamy basics.

As a high-end brand, expect Thorens’ turntables to be much more expensive than your usual 300-dollar threshold. However, with the reliability and peace of mind they bring, you surely won’t regret it.

When looking at their vintage and new models, you might be shocked to look at the pricing. More or less, your bank may call you after a “suspicious” purchase on your credit card. After all, a 3000-dollar purchase is quite a hefty one. (3)

Unless if you are an extreme hardcore audiophile, shelling out more than $300 on a turntable may not be worth it. First of all, untrained ears will get highly diminished returns as the prices of the turntables go higher. However, if you consider yourself to be quite the audiophile, then in more words than one, be my guest too but a Thorens turntable.

Thorens is known for its unique sound mix, and for sure, they will sound more than better than the turntables you can buy at less than $300. However, you can also try to search for other cheaper alternatives with the same drive or quality of sound as Thorens.

A Review on Thorens Turntables: What the Community Has to Say

Although individual expert opinions have unbeatable value and reliability, nothing beats community opinion. In this section of the article, we will be looking at what the community thinks about Thorens record players and how they fare in terms of pricing, design, and sound. In particular, for this section, we have researched our findings by using a plethora of community forum-style posts from Quora, Reddit, and Stack Exchange to find out the consensus of enthusiasts such as you and me.

Finding Consensus

After rigorous reading through community comments, we have found out the consensus for Thorens isn’t so “general,” and the community cannot seem to find an agreement per se. However, we have seen some patterns that may help you understand what the community thinks of Thorens.

To understand this phenomenon, let us first understand that Thorens is an old company, and as a long-running company, it is tough to create an all-successful lineup. As a result, the opinions of their old, vintage record players differ significantly, especially compared to their newer lineups.

The Divide

The divide in public opinion is defined when we look at their vintage record players. The vintage Thorens turntables are most often viewed as top-tier choices while also giving the ’60s and ’70s look, feel, sound, and vibe. (4)

For the newer models, however, the consensus seems to get bleaker and bleaker. For example, a community post called their models “trash” and “expensive,” implying that their products are too expensive for their quality, or in layman’s terms, “glorified pieces of trash.” (5)

To conclude, the community review on Thorens turntables seems to be that their vintage turntables are of high class, premium quality. In contrast, their newer ones seemed to have suffered a steep decline in quality despite having more or less similar pricing. However, the future appears to be bright for Thorens, as in 2012, they received the EISA Award “best product 2011 / 2012” for the TD 309 (one of their record players). (2)

Questions Frequently Asked About Thorens

Is Buying A Cheaper Old Thorens A Better Deal Than Buying More Expensive New Ones?

Definitely! Especially if the “older” Thorens record player is a vintage one, it is a no-brainer to buy the older one, albeit sparing money for some possible needed upgrades. 

Is Thorens German?

Yes and no. Originally, Thorens was a Swiss company. However, due to debts, they were absorbed by a German company by the year 2000.

What Is An Audiophile?

An audiophile is a person that has an exemplified interest in audio equipment, most especially the high-fidelity ones. Most of them seek to experience the raw live performance under reproduced methods through analog means such as vinyl and digital lossless, primarily through .flac files.

Audiophiles most often obsess on speakers, headphones, turntables, and more. Unfortunately, the regular folk does not fully appreciate most audiophile equipment, as some can be pretty expensive with diminishing gains. To the audiophile, however, these incremental improvements can be worth it.

Sources

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorens
2. https://www.whathifi.com/thorens/td-203/review
3. https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2020/10/23/thorens-td-1601-turntable-review/
4. https://www.reddit.com/r/vinyl/comments/5zvlbz/does_anyone_here_have_experience_with_the_modern/
5. https://www.reddit.com/r/vinyl/comments/gpgcx/thinking_of_getting_this_thorens_td150_as_my/

It seems like you only hear about two kinds of record turntables. There’s the vintage model you come across in a thrift store. It’s pretty battered on the outside and only costs a couple bucks. There’s a 50-50 chance that it sings like an angel… or screeches like the lead in a Hair Metal band.

On the other hand, there’s that sleek modern machine advertised with all the accessories and smart capabilities you could dream of. You’ve been drooling over it for a while now… but it costs two months’ rent.

There’s some good news here. Thanks to the resurgence in vinyl’s popularity, you don’t need to break the bank or risk your eardrums. The market has some quality record players at a decent price, if you know where to look. All of the devices on this list have 33 and 45 RPM capability. Many of them also include the same features as top-end turntables, like:

• Bluetooth compatibility
• upgradeable cartridges and other components
• curved S-type tonearms
• automatic operation
• vibration-dampening design
• gain controls
• anti-skate systems
• a variety of aesthetics, from playfully retro to classic wood to sleek metal

What’s the catch? If you’ve gotten bit by the vinyl bug, you probably want it all. For under $250, you’ll probably need to pick your priorities and let a few extra features go. That’s why this isn’t a Top Ten-style list that ends on the absolute ‘best record player under 250’. However, there’s a good chance that you’ll find the best turntable under 250 for you somewhere down below.

The record players on this list were drawn from a variety of review sites. Some were more tech-oriented, focusing on advanced features and fine-tuned control.  Others focused more on beginner-friendly options that were durable and easy to operate.  I took a look at buyers’ reviews as well to get some insight on real user experiences.  Finally, I chose a mix of devices to cater to every kind of user.  In the list below, you’ll find recommendations for everyone from beginners who just want to play their favorite records to techies itching to fiddle with the controls and get that perfect sound.  Let’s take a look.

10 of the Best Turntables for Under $250

U-Turn Orbit Basic

Best for: Vinyl beginners willing to save a little by learning manual controls.

U-Turn designed the Orbit for beginners who’ve gotten a taste for vinyl but don’t want to break the bank. You won’t see all the high end features here or a lot of automatic controls. What are you getting instead?  A simple set up, manual operation, and the option to upgrade certain components in the future. Overall, the U-Turn Orbit Basic incorporates a quality build with great sound for your investment.

As we mentioned, the turntable’s manual. Users need to set the needle by hand. You also need to manually adjust between 33 and 45 RPM speeds. This can take a little practice and may be difficult for people with poor grip strength or finger dexterity. The advantage of manual over automatic is price, and there’s one less component that might get damaged and need replacing.

The U-Turn uses a midrange cartridge with a conical diamond stylus. This can be upgraded later, if you’re interested. The cheapest version of the Orbit doesn’t have a preamp, but you can find the model with this feature and still fall within the budget for this list.

Features:

• a precision OA2 gimbal tonearm
• Audio-Technica AT91B cartridge
• adjustable counterweight
• low-noise motor
• powdercoated MDF acrylic platter for clearer playback
• a cue lever, available separately

 

1byone High Fidelity Belt Drive Turntable

Best for: People looking for an easy-to-use device that’s compatible with even complex music systems.

1byone’s High Fidelity Turntable is compact and unobtrusive, keeping the focus on the music. At just 7 ½ inches high and a touch over 17 inches wide, it’s also a great space saver.  You’ll be able to slot the record player into your media tower or the corner of your desk without sacrificing another part of your sound system.

1byone isn’t marketing this as a turntable so much as an all-in-one music system. In today’s world, that means Bluetooth compatibility. You’ll be able to go analog with your records and then transition smoothly to streaming music from your phone, PC, or other compatible devices. However, that has a limit as the Bluetooth connectivity is input only. You can connect it with devices like tablets but not Bluetooth speakers. On the plus side, the High Fidelity also features an AUX input, addingflexibility to your music setup.

 

 

Features:

• manual start
• switches for pitch correction and shifting speed
• a universal head shell
• diamond-tipped MM Phono Audio-Technica stylus
• adjustable counterweight
• manual start
• built-in preamp
• analog Phono and Line outputs
• Bluetooth

Fluance RT81

Best for: Users who are willing to give up some features for a machine that doesn’t cut corners on quality.

Fluance is one of the bigger names at this price point, so it was tricky to narrow the options down. Their RT81 turntable rises to the top of the pack by offering a solid and usable set of features at a reasonable price.

The appearance may be a little on the plain side, but every part of it was designed with function in mind. First of all, this record player has a real wood plinth, not veneer. Who cares?  Well, the combination of solid wood and sound isolation feet dampens vibrations throughout the machine. This helps the needle transmit a more accurate sound. Meanwhile, the aluminum platter is lightweight yet sturdy. This helps it keep a steady pace and further reduces the vibration.

Fluance is offering an upgraded elliptical stylus as well as a curved S-type tonearm. The curve, plus 2.0 grams of tracking force, doesn’t just echo the sleek design of more expensive turntables. It also increases accurate music tracking by keeping the needle centered in the groove. There are semi-automatic controls for the tonearm. You get a switch to engage or disable auto-stop, but no auto-return.

Features:

• built-in Texas Instruments pre-amp
• gold-plated RCA line to protect sound quality
• a pre-balanced and adjustable counterweight
• an advanced anti-skate system
• reverb-controlling rubber slip mat
• AC power adapter for 100V and 240V

Crosley C100 Belt-Drive Turntable

Best for: Those who want a modern aesthetic with modern tech as they enjoy classic sound.

Instead of the usual understated fare and dark woods on the list, Crosley’s C100 has a sleek and modern design incorporating bright aluminum, black accents, and an S-shaped tonearm. It’s a departure for this list and for Crosley itself. The brand used to stick to a retro-replica aesthetic and suitcase style machines.

However, the C100 isn’t just good looking. It’s also highly adjustable and customizable. The adjustments give you a lot of control over your final sound. Meanwhile, customization options mean that the device can be grown into as you upgrade features along the way.

This turntable gives you stop-start controls and an adjustable strobe pitch. The arm itself offers a lockable rest, height adjustment, a counterweight, and hydraulic lift control. All of this is calibrated to keep the needle in position and reducing skipping. This means moment by moment control for people with turntable experience. Raw beginners may have a bit of a learning curve as they learn how to coax out the best analog sound.

However, it isn’t the most feature-heavy item here. There’s no Bluetooth receiver, which somewhat limits your setup options.

Features:

• AT3600L cartridge and NP5 needle
• adjustable counterweights
• a preamp ready to plug and play
• detachable RCA output cables
• felt slip mat
• die-cast aluminum platter

Sony PS-LX310BT

Best for: Those with the space for a large, solidly built machine that offers quite a bit of audio control.

The Sony PS-LX310BT belt drive turntable is heavier and has a larger footprint than many on the list. It’ll take up more space in your media center or audio tower. On the plus side, this size and mass can help keep vibrations to a minimum.

You’ll be able to fine tune your audio experience with a smartly thought out control scheme, no manual fumbling involved. This includes switches to adjust the speed, accommodate 7” and 12” records, and lift and lower the needle.

The PS-LX310BT has a preamp like many others here. It stands out from the competition by featuring three gain control settings. For added versatility, you can also switch the preamp off and connect to other devices with Bluetooth.

Always wanted to digitize your vinyl collection? This turntable can connect to your PC via its USB port. You can use this to record digital files. If that’s a priority for you, check the specifications carefully to make sure your system’s compatible.

Features:

• easy-to-replace cartridge and stylus
• toggle for speed control
• a built in preamp
• one-step audio playback
• a thick dust cover
• Phono and line output

House of Marley Stir It Up Wireless Turntable

Best for: People who want an eco-friendly device with a rustic look.

There’s a growing concern about the environmental impact of the electronic gadgets we love so much. People are looking for that middle ground between enjoying their favorite hobbies while minimizing their carbon footprint. House of Marley’s Stir It Up is a record player designed to fit neatly in that market space.

This turntable is crafted from multiple sustainable and eco-friendly materials. House of Marley uses bamboo for the wood top. This highly sustainable source of wood offers an elegant natural grain, a clean look, and visual warmth. Here, bamboo is paired with recycled fabric, a solid aluminum platter, and a slipmat of recycled silicone. The Stir It Up turntable has a simple, brighter presence than the dark hardwood or polished steel bricks of some devices. This makes it a comfortable fit for more rustic or casual homes.

It may seem homey, but this record player offers users a host of modern features. There’s a preamp, making it a snap to integrate with speakers and stream to other devices. The base model doesn’t have Bluetooth, but you can get an upgraded model with pairing capability. You can also take advantage of its USB port to back up your favorite albums on your PC or MAC. This uses Audacity as the recording software. You may want to check out our review of the AT-LP60 (see below) for device compatibility.

Features:

• Audio-Technica MM ATN3600L stylus with replaceable cartridge
• adjustable counter balance
• volume control
• a switch for shifting playback speed
• belt drive with auto start and stop
• multiple options for connectivity
• RCA and Phono line

Audio-Technica AT-LP60

Best for: Vinyl enthusiasts with some technical knowledge, looking for a feature-rich device on a budget.

Looks-wise, the AT-LP60 is not that impressive. It’s a simple black and grey with boxy lines and a plastic frame. So what’s it doing on this list?

You may be giving up a certain style factor, but in return you’ll be gaining a record player with many of the bells and whistles of more advanced and expensive models. It gives you a lot of direct control, with 33/45 RPM toggle, start and stop, and buttons and switches to precisely position the tonearm at the start of the single or album.

Complete newbies might be overwhelmed by this array of controls. Audiophiles with more experience will appreciate the convenience.

Looking to connect your Audio-Technica record player with the rest of your setup? There’s a built-in preamp that’s compatible with powered speakers. You can also connect via RCA cables to your stereo, or through the USB to your computer.

You can use the AT-LP60’s USB connection to make high quality backups on your computer… maybe. The system requirements are fairly basic: a PC or Mac with a USB port of USB 1.1 or higher, running OS X 10.1, Windows 98, or later versions. Most computers have that. The included software itself, Audacity, has been somewhat fiddly for reviewers to use. Backing up music on this device may be better suited for tech-minded people who are already passingly familiar with Audacity.

Note that you’ll need a CD-R or CD-RW drive for burning the files onto the CD. If your computer doesn’t have one (nowadays, many laptops don’t), you can get a portable CD-R drive and plug it into a second USB port.

Features:

• dual magnet ATN3600 cartridge with a replaceable needle
• a 7” adapter
• fully automatic belt drive
• compatible with Mac and PC
• aluminum platter that dampens resonance and vibration
• 120V AC only

Audio-Technica AT-LP60X

Best for: Users who liked the specs on the Audio-Technica LP60 but want crisper sound.

Audio-Technica earns another spot on this list with the AT-LP60X. This is technically a newer model of the LP60 that we already covered. However, it isn’t so much an across-the-board upgrade as it is a moderate redesign.

You’re getting a budget, fully automatic turntable that offers quality sound. The LP60X has many of the same features of the LP60 including:

• built-in preamp for your powered speakers
• fully automatic playback with play, stop, and autostop capability
• multiple switches for device control
• quality components
• USB output and Audacity software for archiving your discs to the computer
• compatibility with 7” and 12” discs

So what’s different? Audio-Technica has made a number of tweaks to improve the sound experience. The tonearm was redesigned with a new headshell and base to improve needle tracking and reduce vibration. The power cord includes an AC adapter that reduces possible interference. The cable output has been switched from non-removable RCA to removable AUX, allowing you to upgrade the cable or replace it if it gets worn.

Can a casual ear tell the difference between this and the earlier model? It’s hard to say. Both devices are solid in the mid-range and have decent bass. True beginners may want to choose whichever unit is on sale at the time. People with a trained ear may benefit from the LP60X’s audio fine-tuning.

The overall look has also gotten an overhaul. The compact design has been squared off a bit. It comes in a choice of classy colors. Overall, it has a more subtle look that would be right at home with other electronic devices. This turntable will fit easily into smaller setups and tight gaps in the media tower.

Features:

• upgradeable line and phono outputs
• adapter for RCA cable

Pro-Ject Primary E

Best for: People willing to sacrifice bells and whistles for a quality build that will last for years.

Pro-Ject has earned a solid reputation on the market with their midrange devices. However, they’ve also dipped their toes into the more budget friendly edge of the scale. The Pro-Ject Primary E is a great introduction to the brand. It’s also a good choice for people who may work up to more expensive record players.

The Primary E doesn’t offer USB recording. It doesn’t have a built-in phono stage. What it does have is a seriously sturdy build and quality components. These all tie together to create great sound without the hassle of a finicky setup and multiple buttons and switches.

This device’s overall look is understated. It has a simple top in solid colors, available in white, red, or black. This keeps the focus on the record itself. Note that this unit is designed with three feet, and some users have struggled to keep it stable.

Features:

• Ortofon OM cartridge pre-set with tracking force and anti-skate
• tonearm with durable sapphire bearings to improve needle tracking
• Made in Europe with a 230V motor
• acrylic lid and felt mat
• manual speed control
• gold-plated RCA Phono cable
• 7” singles adapter
• stylus pressure gauge

 

Lenko L-85

Best for: Those looking for user-friendly operation in a budget-friendly package.

The Lenko L-85 has had a polarizing entry into the budget-friendly turntable market. It is lightweight and includes a lot of plastic. It’s available in a variety of vivid colors that might be at home among Crayola crayons. The rounded appearance has been compared to old-timey school lunch boxes. In short, if you love the classic elegance of hardwood and aluminum, look elsewhere on this list.

However, the Lenko L-85 is a great choice for the right user. This petite record player is one of the most affordable we cover. It also offers a very user-friendly music experience. The turntable is essentially plug and play. Buyers can be enjoying their favorite vinyl within minutes of unboxing. It may not have the crispest sound, but it handles voices and the midrange well.

This is a semi-automatic device with a built in phono stage. You can get started right away with the RCA cables and a stereo amp. Sadly, your other devices will languish because it doesn’t offer Bluetooth. As a pleasant surprise, there is an included USB port. That’s a feature missing from some turntables twice the price.

Features:

• integrated stereo preamp
• USB port
• MM cartridges
• mechanical arm lift
• auto return
• removable plastic dust cover

 

The past few years have seen the so-called “vinyl revival.” With the resurgence of vinyl records, budget-friendly turntables also proliferate. But how do these cheap turntables differ from high-quality, expensive ones?

Inexpensive turntables will destroy your records. They lack a counterweight to balance the tonearm, causing its weight to rest on the record. Your vinyl record will also hang on these undersized, cheap turntables, so it bends and flexes while spinning.

There are a lot more reasons why budget-friendly turntables can damage your records. That said, it is essential that you know what to look for when buying a turntable.

Why Cheap Turntables Can Damage Your Records

Back then, the only place where people can purchase a turntable was a high-end audio shop and online stores. But since vinyl records became popular again, manufacturers began to produce turntables catered to those who are on a tight budget.

Right now, there is a lot of cheap record players in the markets. However, these turntables have low-quality parts, making them bad for your vinyl record.

Here are the reasons why cheap turntables can cause damage to your vinyl records:

1. Cheap Turntables Do Not Have A Counterweight

A counterweight is a part of a record player that works to balance out the tonearm. This way, all of the cartridge tonearm’s weight will not rest on the record itself.

Additionally, turntables should have a tracking weight — the weight at which the tonearm rests on the record. A turntable’s tracking weight should be from one to two grams. The tracking weight is also adjustable to balance the tonearm if you add a new cartridge.

A correctly set counterweight will allow modern records to survive even after hundreds of plays. However, cheap turntables do not have a counterweight. Instead, they only use a piece of plastic to hold and balance the tonearm.

Since there is no counterweight, low-quality turntables will grind away your vinyl records twice or trice the right tracking weight. So, after approximately ten plays, your record will begin to deteriorate.

2. Wrong Stylus Size

Cheap turntable styli are too large for modern 33rpm records. They are also too small for old 78rpm records. Still, manufacturers opted for such a stylus to save cost and make the final product’s market price affordable.

If you do not want your turntable to ruin your records, you need to ensure that you are getting one with two different styles. This way, you will be able to play both 33rpm and 78rpm vinyl records.

A lot of good turntables do not even have a 78rpm speed. The reason is that you need to make many changes to play the old format properly. The large stylus will cause the turntable to skip over your record’s groove, leading to scratches.

3. Lack Of Anti-shake Feature

Turntables with an anti-shake feature prevent the arm from going to the center or out of the record. If the arm tries to move in and out of a playing record, it damages one side of the groove.

If your turntable does not have an anti-shake feature, the arm will grind away your record. Anti-shake works by keeping the stylus at the center of the group. As a result, it maximizes the quality of sound and minimizes the damage to the vinyl record.

4. Undersized Platter

Some cheap turntables are too small, causing the record to hang off of it. Since the tonearm is tracking extensively against the other side of the vinyl record, it causes it to flex and bend while spinning. Such a factor results in lousy sound quality and damage to the groove of the record.

4. Built-in Speakers

Turntables amplify the vibrations that the stylus makes while it is running on the vinyl record. Some cheap turntables have built-in speakers that work by making vibrations. The vibrations cause the record player to skip, resulting in terrible audio quality and damage to your record.

What Makes An Excellent Record Player?

There are many turntables in the market. So picking the best one can be a difficult task. If you do not know the features you need for a record player, you might get the wrong one.

But one thing worth noting about turntables is that they can be expensive. At first, spending more than $1,000 for a record player can sound ludicrous. But considering the features that you can get for this price, you are definitely getting what you paid for.

On the other hand, buying a cheap turntable is not only a waste of money but is also a way of putting your vinyl record at risk.

For that reason, make sure that you know the features that your record player needs to have.

Sufficient Extraction

A good turntable should be able to extract as much information out of the grooves as possible. You may expect your record player to extract all the information from the record groove, onto the stylus, and into the cartridge, without distortion or interference. However, that is impossible in reality.

That said, you need to get the most stable turntable possible for your vinyl record.

Good Motors And Belts

It is inevitable for motors to produce vibration. But high-quality turntables can minimize their degree of vibration. They do such by utilizing a belt drive.

Moreover, a belt drive also acts as a driver for the platter apart from working as a shock absorber for the motor’s vibration.

Vibration Reduction

There are different factors responsible for making a record player produce excellent sound:

• Proper stylus size
• Counterweight
• Vibration reduction

While we cannot argue that these three factors are essential, turntable engineers have a primary goal of reducing the most amount of vibration that they can.

As a result, the only vibration that high-quality record players have comes from the record groove that moves around the stylus. Such is the reason why expensive turntables sound a lot better than cheap ones.

Perfect Plinth

The plinth is basically the body of the turntable. This part comes in a variety of materials and shapes. If you want the best turntable in terms of isolating vibration, a double plinth is an ideal choice.

Moreover, the different materials used for making the plinth can significantly affect the sound. The reason is that different materials mean different resonation, frequencies, and how fast or slow vibration passes through them.

In addition, the feet where the plinth sits play a factor. The feet can aid in controlling resonance. It can also dampen the vibration coming from the cabinet that your turntable is sitting on.

The plinth also encases the main bearing that the spindle turns on.

With all that’s said, you should look for a plinth that perfectly isolates vibration and improves resonation.

Good Platter Design

Turntable engineers often use heavy materials to produce heavy platters. This way, the platter will be less prone to being disturbed by vibration. Apart from that, it will also have inertia on its side.

Heavy platter generally rotates to a speed that you set without it being too fast or too slow. On the other hand, lightweight platters tend to slow down pretty quickly.

Moreover, some turntables feature a platter mat. This mat helps in reducing vibrations. It is essential to have something for vibration control so that it will not pass up into the record and reduce the sound quality produced.

Furthermore, high-quality turntables have a platter and plinth designed to negate the need for a platter mat.

Sources

1. Stephen Nelson-Smith, Just Say No! Why Cheap Turntables Destroy Your Records, Audio Advent, https://audio-advent.ghost.io/why-cheap-turntables-destroy-your-records/ July 27, 2021. 
2. Will A Cheap Turntable Damage Your Records?, Audio Appraisal, https://www.audioappraisal.com/will-a-cheap-turntable-damage-your-records/ July 27, 2021.  
3. AJ Powell, Why Pay $1,000 for a Turntable?, Gear Patrol, https://www.gearpatrol.com/tech/a264002/how-a-good-turntable-works/ July 27, 2021. 

Vinyl records require a lot of maintenance if you want them to provide you with the best sound quality. However, people sometimes leave them on the turntable so that they will not need to position it again once they want to play music. While that sounds convenient, what you don’t know is that it can damage your vinyl record.

Leaving your record out of its sleeve will or on the turntable will expose it to dirt and dust. It will also increase the risk of damaging the record’s surface. In the long run, the sound quality of your vinyl record will degrade until you can no longer use it.

Apart from leaving your vinyl record on the turntable, other things can ruin it. Fortunately, you can take several steps to keep the integrity of your record.

Leaving Your Record On The Turntable: Is It Bad?

If you want to get the best possible audio quality from your vinyl record, you need to exert a significant amount of discipline. Unlike digital music that does not require any maintenance, vinyl records need lots of time and care to remain in their best state.

If you are new to collecting vinyl records, you may have tried leaving it on the turntable, so you can simply play it whenever you want to. But as good as that sounds, leaving your record on the turntable while it is not in use can ruin it.

Ideally, the only time you can keep your record out of its sleeve is while using it. If you leave it on the platter or for an extended period, you are exposing the vinyl record to dirt and dust. Leaving the record on the turntable often will increase the risk of damaging its surface.

Even if your turntable has a dust cover, leaving the record on the platter when not in use is still not ideal. A vinyl record sleeve or jacket is there for a reason, and that is to protect your record. So, make sure that you put your vinyl record in it the moment you are done playing some good music.

Bad Habits That Damage Your Vinyl Record

Knowing how to clean your vinyl record is one thing. But that is only the beginning of maintaining it. Apart from cleaning, you should be aware of your habits to avoid to ensure that you are not damaging your record.

1. Horizontally Stacking Your Records

Horizontally storing your vinyl records on your storage shelf makes sense. However, this storage method is the most common habit that every record owner should avoid.

Under extreme conditions, stacking your records can render them unplayable. Putting your records on top of each other will apply excess weight to those stored under the stack. That can lead to warping and permanent damage to the record sleeve.

For that reason, store your vinyl records vertically to prevent warping caused by pressure.

2. Touching The Surface Of Your Record

Your hands have dirt, natural oil, and grease. Touching the vinyl record will transfer these oils and dirt to the surface. That will result in the griming build-up, and the dirt and dust that stuck to the oil your hand transferred to the record’s surface will contribute to wearing the stylus.

To avoid damaging your vinyl record, always handle it by the outer edge. In case you touched the surface accidentally, the best thing to do is to clean it immediately.

If you cannot avoid touching your record, use a record cleaning solution to clean your hand prior to handling.

3. Picking Up The Record Even Before The Platter Stops

Removing the record from the turntable even before the platter stops spinning will scratch the wax’s other side. Flipping the record as soon as you turn the turntable off to play your favorite song may sound tempting. However, your patience can go a long way in preventing any damage to your vinyl record.

4. Carelessly Pitting The Vinyl Record Back To Its Sleeve

Some people let their vinyl record drop as it enters the sleeve. This habit will damage not only the record but also the sleeve.

If you let the record slip into the sleeve often, you will end up punching a hole into the bottom of the sleeve. It is also likely that you will scratch the surface of the record.

To prevent these damages, open the sleeve wide enough. This way, you will be able to reduce contact with the vinyl record.

5. Poor Cleaning Practice

One thing you need to avoid when cleaning your vinyl record is using household cleaning products. Using harsh chemicals to clean your record will be the fastest way to render it useless.

In my experience, this is one of the biggest problems people have when trying to increase the longevity of their vinyl collection.

Vinyl records are delicate as they consist of polyvinyl chloride. Even the slightest change will cause a significant impact on the tiny grooves of the record. So, if you have no choice but to clean the record, make sure that you are aware of the proper cleaning method and the materials that you need to use.

How To Properly Clean Your Record

Whether your record is new or old, you need to take time to take care of it. As mentioned, the wrong cleaning practice will damage your vinyl record and reduce its audio quality. Worse, you might even destroy your record permanently if you cleaned it the wrong way.

To prevent yourself from damaging your vinyl record, you need to be aware of the proper cleaning method that you can do.

But before that, here are the materials that you need to use when cleaning your record:

• Record brush
• Cleaning solution for vinyl record
• Microfiber or cotton cloth

1. Use A Record Brush To Remove Static And Dust

When removing dust particles from your vinyl record, use a brush specifically made for a vinyl record. Do some long and gentle brush strokes to ensure that you can remove dust without scratching the record’s surface.

2. Check If The Record Has Visible Blemishes

Inspect the surface of the vinyl record under a soft and bright light to see if there are smudges, discolorations, and fingerprints. If there are any, you will need to exert time and record to remove them. You may even have to scrub the entire record in some cases.

If there are many smudges and fingerprints, use warm and soapy water to clean the record. Next, allow it to dry and repeat the first step.

3. Use Spray Cleaning Solution On Parts That Need Intensive Cleaning

Check the entire record for sections that need intensive cleaning. If you find problem areas, spray a cleaning solution directly on them. However, it would be best if you were careful not to touch the label with any liquid to prevent the epoxy from loosening.

Additionally, use a cleaning solution specifically made for vinyl records. Avoid using household cleaning solutions as the harsh chemicals in them can damage the record’s delicate surface.

4. Wipe The Record Clean With A Microfiber Cloth

After applying a cleaning solution on the record’s surface, wipe it in a circular motion using cotton or a microfiber cloth. Apply pressure to rub away the blemishes.

Again, avoid touching the label to prevent any damage and discoloration.

5. Store The Vinyl Record Back To Its Sleeve

As mentioned, open the sleeve wide enough when putting the vinyl record back to it. This way, the sleeve will not touch the record too much, preventing its surface from acquiring scratches.

Sources

1. Marc Henshall, Seven Bad Habits That Will Destroy Your Vinyl Records, Your Sound Matters, https://www.yoursoundmatters.com/seven-bad-habits-will-destroy-vinyl-records/ Accessed July 28, 2021.
2. 10 Things NOT to do to Your Vinyl Records, Disco Music.Com, https://www.discomusic.com/10-things-not-to-do-to-your-vinyl-records/ Accessed July 28, 2021.
3. James Schiff & Brandt Ranj, For The Record: How to Clean and Care for Your Vinyl Collection, https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/electronics/how-to-clean-vinyl-records-850080/ Accessed July 28, 2021.