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There are two types of people who come to us asking about turntables. The first has a box of records from their parents gathering dust somewhere and wants to finally play them again. The second has heard vinyl mentioned enough times to be curious, has never owned a record in their life, and isn't quite sure where to start.
Both are completely valid starting points. Here's what you actually need to know.
Why vinyl sounds different
Without getting too technical — records capture sound as a continuous physical groove rather than as digital data. Many people find this translates into a warmer, more natural sound with a particular quality to it that digital audio, even at its best, doesn't quite replicate.
Whether it's the format itself or simply the ritual of playing a record — taking it out of the sleeve, putting it on the platter, dropping the needle — is a question that audiophiles have argued about for decades. We'd suggest trying it yourself rather than taking anyone's word for it.
What you actually need to get started
A turntable on its own isn't enough. To actually play music from it, you need three things:
A turntable — which is the deck, motor and tonearm with a cartridge/stylus.
A phono stage — which amplifies the very small signal from the cartridge. Some turntables have one built in, some don't.
An amplifier and speakers — to actually produce the sound.
This sounds complicated but it really isn't. Many beginner turntables come with a built-in phono stage, which means you plug them straight into an amplifier. Some amplifiers also have phono inputs built in. Getting this combination right is what we help with every day.
Automatic vs manual turntables — what's the difference?
A fully automatic turntable returns the tonearm to its rest position at the end of a record. A manual one requires you to lift the arm yourself.
Neither is better — it's a matter of preference. If you're worried about forgetting to lift the arm and leaving the needle running in the run-out groove, an automatic deck offers peace of mind. If you want the purest possible connection to the record, most audiophile decks are manual.
What to avoid
Very cheap all-in-one turntables can be a false economy.
We'll be honest with you here because this is where a lot of people get it wrong: very cheap all-in-one turntables — the kind you see in supermarkets and department stores for under £80 — can actually damage your records over time. The tracking weight is often too heavy, the stylus quality is poor, and the built-in speakers, when they have them, do nothing for the sound.
The sweet spot for a first proper turntable is between £200 and £600. In that range you're getting a deck that will treat your records properly, sound genuinely good, and last you for years.
Our recommendations by budget
Around £500–£600 — the Pro-Ject Debut EVO 2
The Pro-Ject Debut EVO 2 is one of the most talked-about turntables of recent years and one of our most recommended starting points. It comes with a high-quality Ortofon Pick it MM EVO cartridge already fitted, an 8.6 inch carbon fibre tonearm, and a precision-balanced aluminium platter.
Available in ten colours including satin black, wine red, fir green, golden yellow, steel blue, white and walnut veneer — it sounds excellent and looks the part too. If you want a first turntable that does everything right, this is where we'd point you.
The complete package — Pro-Ject Colourful Audio System 2 (£1,799)
If the idea of choosing matching components feels daunting, Pro-Ject have solved that problem entirely. The Colourful Audio System 2 is a complete, pre-matched vinyl system in a single package — the Debut EVO 2 turntable, the MaiA S3 integrated amplifier with Bluetooth streaming, and a pair of Speaker Box 5 S2 bookshelf speakers.
Everything in matching colour. Everything already calibrated to work together. Unbox it, plug it in, and put a record on. That's genuinely all there is to it. At £1,799 it's excellent value for a complete hi-fi setup from a single trusted manufacturer.
Around £1,200–£1,500 — the Pro-Ject Debut Reference 10
For those ready to step into serious analogue territory, the Pro-Ject Debut Reference 10 is where the range makes a real leap forward. A heavier, more refined platter, a 10 inch tonearm for improved tracking geometry, and a level of engineering precision that reveals the full potential of your record collection.
If you've been listening to vinyl for a while and know you want more from it, this is the deck that delivers it. Come and hear it in our listening room — the difference from an entry-level deck is immediately obvious.
Do you need to buy everything at once?
No. You can start with a turntable that connects to whatever speakers or system you already have, and upgrade over time.
Many customers come in for a turntable and leave with a full system three visits later — not because we pushed them, but because they heard what was possible and wanted more of it.
A note on record care
Records last a very long time if you look after them. Keep them in their inner sleeves, store them vertically rather than flat, and clean them occasionally.
A basic record cleaning brush costs under £20 and is genuinely worth having. The stylus on your cartridge will also need replacing eventually — typically every 500 to 1,000 hours of play — so factor that into your thinking.
We strongly recommend hearing a turntable before you buy one. The difference between an entry-level deck and a Pro-Ject Debut Reference 10 is immediately, obviously audible. Come into our Hayes showroom and we'll set one up with your own music — bring a record you know well and hear what it's supposed to sound like.
Ready to hear vinyl for yourself?
Book a free turntable listening session at our Hayes showroom. Bring a record you know well and we'll set up a turntable so you can hear exactly what it's capable of.
Book Your Free Turntable Listening Session