The Pitfalls of Cheap Turntables: Protecting Your Precious Vinyl Collection
Posted by Rockaway Records on 22nd Nov 2023
So you have just paid $89.99 for a brand new, sealed vinyl record. You remove it from the clear plastic packaging and take in that new vinyl smell while placing it on the platter, only to hear occasional tracks slipping or skipping.
What on earth could be wrong?
There a few things that may be the cause of new vinyl not sounding the way it should. In this blog, we will explore the reasons why inexpensive turntables among other issues can pose a threat to your cherished vinyl collection.
Firstly, it could indeed be the record. Pressing plants are extremely busy due to increased demand and it's possible the vinyl wasn't pressed correctly or the record had picked up dust or scratches etc in the packing process.
If this is the case, we can usually send a record back to the company for a refund or replacement.
In truth though, it is not common that a new record will have issues. So if you come to us and explain that your new vinyl is skipping, the very first thing we will ask is "What turntable do you have?"
Vinyl, more than any other format, is very subjective in the playback setup.
We use the analogy of buying a new car. If you drive it off the lot onto rough gravel roads and the car gets damaged, this is not actually a product fault.
When it comes to turntables, like most things in life, you often get what you pay for. Cheap turntables are typically made with low-grade materials and lack the sturdy construction necessary for accurate playback. The lightweight and flimsy components found in these turntables can lead to vibrations, resonances, and inconsistent rotation speeds. These factors can result in subpar sound quality and may cause unnecessary wear and tear on your records.
"OK, so why does my turntable play other records, but not this one?"
When a record is mastered and/or cut with the best possible sound in mind, the engineer is pushing the threshold for cutting the grooves and making a very dynamic cut with a lot of range. The complexity of the groove can cause skipping when paired with a turntable that does not have features like counter balance and anti-skate.
Joe LaPorta, senior mastering engineer at Sterling Sound, said that older records were often not cut as loud as new vinyl and so older records tend to play on less expensive turntables with fewer issues.
In simple terms, all records are cut differently, and particularly when a high-quality vinyl pressing — typically 180-gram remasters — is paired with a less-expensive turntable like an all-in-one record player sound issues can occur.
"I'm on a budget, what can I do?"
While cheap turntables may seem tempting for those on a tight budget, they often fall short in delivering the quality and longevity your vinyl records deserve. Investing in a higher-quality turntable will not only preserve your cherished collection but also provide a more immersive and authentic vinyl listening experience.
Remember, a great turntable is an investment in your music and an investment in your enjoyment.
At Rockaway our general advice is that any spend over $250 will usually get you by. A decent turntable with built in pre-amp will be anywhere from $250 to $350. The next level up, from $350 to $800 will get you more features and better overall control. From there turntables can go up in the thousands very quickly especially when you need to start adding in amps and speakers.
If this is out of your budget you could certainly look at a quality second hand player. Look for a known brand and test before you purchase.
PS: Dust is not your friend. Get into the habit of a quick dust before you play (even with new vinyl) as this will extend the life of your player, vinyl and stylus. New vinyl often comes highly static (hold it above the hair on your arm to see how static it feels). High static means it needs a good clean for the best sound quality.
And lastly, if you are having issues you can come and talk to us. But having an understanding that it may not be the new vinyl record that is the sole issue is helpful and most record stores these days will not take returns when the vinyl has been played on a cheap machine.
At the end of the day, we have found that customers using cheaper turntables are frustrated with the output and don't continue the hobby. And that's a very sad outcome.
HELPFUL TERMS
Stylus: The needle, better known as the stylus is the part that physically touches the surface of the vinyl record. The needle tracks the grooves and is normally made of a tiny gemstone or polished diamond.
Anti-Skate: This feature prevents your tonearm from 'skating' across your vinyl records and causing an unpleasant sound quality when you play the record.
Counter Weight: The main component on the tonearm that allows you to adjust the tracking force is the counterweight. This is usually at the rear end of the tonearm, and likely to have numbers detailed along it. You can adjust the weight of the tonearm by turning the counterweight to a specific number
Platter: The platter is the spinning surface that your record sits on, and it plays a crucial role in maintaining speed consistency and preventing unwanted vibrations from reaching the stylus.
Platter Mat: Used to dampen resonances and minimize other vibrations caused between the turntables platter, surface and other parts of the turntable. The platter mat should, in theory, and with correct use, provide a higher fidelity listening experience. You can get silicon foam, leather and cork platter mats (among others) depending on your needs.