Record Players VS. Turntables | What’s the difference?
To be short, a record player is typically known for being an all-in-one system. It is a turntable with the speakers and amplifiers all built-in. A turntable is a component of a larger system. Turntables tend to be more expensive and finer tuned.
What is a Record Player
A record player is a turntable with built-in speakers. It might be able to connect to a larger system, but it doesn’t need to be. Popular record players often come in the form or portable briefcase systems.
What is a Turntable?
A turntable is a component for playing vinyl records. It consists of a motor, a rotating platter, and a needle to pick up sounds from the record. It connects to a receiver or speaker system to complete the vinyl record playback. There is a wide range of turntables, for different systems and different setups.
How to choose a turntable or a record player
If you want something that is simple plug-and-go or is portable, then you should choose a record player. If you want the absolute best playback quality possible, then you should get a turntable.
How to set up a turntable or a record player
For a record player, you just set the system up according to the manufacturer’s instructions and start playing records.
To set up a turntable, you need to run the appropriate cables to your preamps and receivers and speakers. For a more in-depth explanation about how to set up a turntable, check out our full turntable setup guide.
