Vinyl records sell the most The point is not the sound. It’s the physical experience: a shiny, delicate record; a liner note written large; a cover you’ll want to frame and hang on your wall; and the way a stylus spins across a jagged surface, magically recreating your most Music from favorite artists.
Maybe you’ve been interested in building a setup for listening to LPs and 45s, but you didn’t know where to start. Maybe you’re like Wired reviews editor Julian Chokkattu and have a record but no turntable to play it. Maybe you’re just looking for an upgrade. No problem: There are plenty of great record players to choose from, most of which can easily be connected to any audio system you already have. I’ve tested quite a few options, and these are my current favorites – from practical, affordable classics to more luxurious options for those looking for audiophile-grade sound.
Be sure to check out our other audio guides, including the best gear for learning music and the best podcast gear.
Update September 2023: We added Fluance RT81+ and Rega Planar 8.
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