with speakers from the same brand that use
the same wireless technology.
You should also consider whether you
want a belt-drive or direct-drive turntable.
The latter are often used by DJs, as they allow
you to move the record back and forth to cue
and sync tracks, without damaging the
mechanisms of the turntable. For most
people, a belt-drive will be sufficient, as they
reduce the risk of noise from the motor that
spins the platter being picked up by the
needle and messing up your record’s sound.
It’s also well worth looking into how well
damped a Bluetooth turntable is before you
buy it. Damping is how manufacturers
reduce unwanted vibrations; this can be
done in a number of ways, including the use
of rubber feet to prop the base of the
turntable up and absorb these vibrations. IfTu r n t a b l e s c a n c o m e
with cool extras like
built-in support for
streaming services
PLAYERS 101: THE PARTS OF THE TURNTABLE
These are the terms you need to know to master your new Bluetooth turntable
While most modern Bluetooth turntables
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This is especially true if you need to set up
your record player.
Most modern turntables, particularly at
the lower end of the price scale come
pre-assembled, but as they get more
expensive you can expect to set them up
yourself. Even if your new turntable comes
assembled right out the box, it’s important to
have a basic idea of the different parts that
make up the record player; after all, you may
as well embrace the geeky goodness of
getting to know your latest gadget.Plinth – this is the base of your turntable.
Be sure to place it on a level surface to avoid
the mechanisms of your record player being
thrown off kilter.
Platter – the circular part of the turntable
that spins.
Belt drive – a thin rubber strap that
rotates the platter.
Tonearm – this is the part of the turntable
that holds the cartridge, guiding the stylus (or
needle, if you prefer) through the tiny
grooves on your vinyl. If your turntable
doesn’t come pre-assembled, you’ll need to
balance the tonearm so the stylus sits at the
correct point on your record.Cartridge – this is the small box-like
appendage that sits on the end of the
tonearm and contains the stylus. As the
platter spins the record, vibrations travel
through the stylus and into the cartridge,
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energy into an electrical signal. The stylus is
usually made by a tiny piece of diamond
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Preamp or phonostage – this isn’t always
included in the turntable itself (some models
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the electrical signal from the cartridge, so you
can hear the music when it reaches your
speaker or headphones.can pretty much play your records straight
out the box; the further up the price band
you go, the more likely it is that you’ll need
to set up your turntable yourself.
If you’re set on ditching the cables, you’ll
need to look at the kind of wireless
connectivity you want your turntable to
offer. Want something cheap and cheerful?
Just be aware that the connection to your
speakers or headphones might not be
flawless. Concerned with preserving audio
quality above all else? Look out for Bluetooth
codecs like aptX HD and aptX Adaptive, or
search for a wireless turntable that can be
hooked up to your home’s Wi-Fi network.
For both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turntables,
you’ll need to make sure you have
compatible speakers – some Wi-Fi
turntables in particular are only compatible
you opt for a cheaper model that isn’t
particularly well-damped, you can also
purchase your own damping kits that
consist of rubber-like strips of material that
fit into the recess beneath the platter.
Lots of modern turntables also come with
cool extras like built-in support for
streaming services, and USB outputs that
allow you to record your vinyl directly to
your computer or laptop. Bear in mind, these
additions will often bump up the price.
Last but not least, the look of your
turntable is a really important consideration;
after all, the right model could be a stunning
ornamental addition to your home. Lots of
modern turntables sport sleek, minimalistdesigns, with burnished metallic finishes
and glossy controls that wouldn’t look out of
place in any smart home. However, you can
still find plenty of familiar retro designs –
look out for suitcase record players from
brands like Crosley and Victrola if kitschy
vintage decor is your jam.
Whatever kind of Bluetooth turntable
you opt for, the choices really are endless- and that’s incredibly comforting to
anyone who misses the tangible physicality
of vinyl, and the mildewy solace of
browsing a quiet record shop on a rainy
Sunday afternoon.
70 T3 APRIL 2020
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