10 best record players for £100 or less
Vinyl records are experiencing a resurgence in a big way. Giles Bidder has a listen to find the sweetest-sounding players on the market while still leaving you some cash to grow your collection
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Your support makes all the difference.For many of us, a house isn’t a home without a record player. The ongoing resurgence of record labels re-pressing your favourite LPs and 45’s – vinyl sales are now at a 15-year high - as well as new releases, means there are tons of new record players on the market for affordable prices.
So whether it’s Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ or Arctic Monkeys’ AM you’re looking to spin on a new stereo, we’ve found good-value, quality sounding machines. From iTek’s USB-compatible turntable for under £40 up to Crosley’s stylish portable version, we reckon you’ll find one that fuel your record-obsessiona.
1. GPO Stylo, £38, amazon
This modern-looking, record-only stereo plays at three speeds and gives you choice of its built-in or separate speakers with an AUX output. Lightweight and featuring blue LED lights, its 1.5 watt internal-speakers sound nice - although best used with additional ones.
2. Crosley Cruiser, £70, amazon
Want to show off your records? Then take this portable player in a retro-looking case to your mates’. Playing at three speeds, it’s Mac and PC compatible with a USB output so you’re able to make audio files of your music hoard. Models avaialble in a range of colours.
3. Auna TT-92B Turntable Record Player, £99, amazon
This black mahogany record player is slightly bigger than the others – and louder too. With USB and AUX inputs, it can play your digital music through two front speakers or external speakers through the RCA outputs (lead bought separately). Includes a remote control.
4. iTek i60007 USB turntable, £50, ebay
For the vinyl-obsessed on a budget, this two speed (45 and 33 1/3 RPM), handmade wood cabinet player is a good no-frills option. It’s belt-driven like classic players with plastic speaker grills on its front side and a protective closing lid. It’s USB compatible, too.
5. Steepletone Norwich, £75, eBay
You can ramp up the volume on this all-in-one player with stereo speakers. With its line-in/line-out sockets you’re able to play music from or through the machine and there’s a sub-woofer socket that’ll keep bass addicts happy.
6. Encode 3 speed record player, £78, UK-Jukeboxes
Available in black or silver, the Encode 3 is a quieter than some but compact. Its USB connecting option means, like the Crosley, you can convert vinyl tracks into MP3s. It also has two RCA outputs so you can wire it up to other speakers (lead not included). Available in a package with sub-woofers if base floats your boat.
7. PylePro Retro Belt Drive, £54, eBay
Get your vinyl and Six Music hit in one retro-looking package with this three-speed player with built-in radio. You’re able to play your MP3 and smart phone music through the 3.5mm AUX line-in, and connect to bigger external speakers with its stereo RCA outputs (lead not included).
8. ION Duo Deck USB with tape player, £60, Maplin
Dig out those embarrassing teenage mix-tapes to listen on this portable machine that handles cassettes as well as vinyls. It’ll play records at 45 and 33 1/3 RPM and can run off AA batteries. It can also be linked to a PC or Mac and there’s a built-in speaker and headphones socket.
9. Steepletone Chichester II/L, £100, amazon
Made of real wood, this boxy model by the respected makers is a crisp-sounding stereo with a protective lid. Though the speakers won’t blow the roof off, it features a 3.5mm line-in allowing you to play music through your iPod or phone. Also plays CDs, cassettes and AM/FM radio.
10. ION Max LP Conversion Turntable with Stereo Speakers, £79, amazon
We like the wooden base on this three-speed model with a transparent protective lid. With only one dial – the volume – this is a sleek, straight-forward turntable with an MP3 converting option.
Verdict:
The Crosley Cruiser is cool-looking portable record player which looks and sounds good anywhere you put it, while the ION Max turntable sounds great while making recording vinyl to MP3s an easy process.