Whether you are looking to purchase a turntable for your own listening pleasure or to bring your unique musical tastes to the masses, it's vital that you choose the best turntable possible. Sometimes this can be difficult, especially if you're just getting started out or are buying used. Luckily, we've put together four extremely simple tips that make a complicated process much easier.

The following turntable buying guide will help ensure that no matter what your ultimate purpose is, you'll enjoy the sweet sounds of good, quality music while you get there.

Four Things to Consider Before Buying a Turntable

1. Belt Drive versus Direct Drive. For starters, you should pick which type of turntable you want: a belt drive or a direct drive. The difference is in the way that the platter (the place where you put the record) is rotated. If the motor that spins the record is underneath the platter, it is a direct drive turntable. If the motor is to the side of the platter, it's called a belt drive turntable. For the most part, belt drives are preferred by most self-professed “audiophiles.” Audiophiles are basically sound purists or sound junkies. That's because the rubber belt that connects the platter to the motor absorbs more shock, thereby eliminating electronic sound signal interference due to the vibration of the motor. DJ's like direct drive turntables because they can be rotated backwards and forwards at many different speeds and pressures without harming the actual motor or turntable. This is essential for anyone who wants to “scratch.” Direct drive turntables also perform at more consistent speeds.

2. Manual Turntables versus Automatic Turntables. Once you've decided on belt versus direct drive, you have another important decision to make that will narrow down your choices: manual versus automatic turntables. This is simply the manner in which the tonearm is placed on the record. The tonearm holds the needle and allows the record to “play.” If the tonearm comes down onto the spinning platform on its own, it is an automatic. If you have to manually place the tonearm on the record, it is a manual turntable. Purists and audiophiles prefer manual turntables because there are less parts and thus, less vibrations, equaling a purer sound. These are often accompanied by a “cue” function that allows you to slowly lower and lift the tonearm without plopping it down and scratching the record. Automatic turntables have tonearms that are often raised and lowered with the touch of a button, making it great for those in a rush or the beginning record enthusiast.

3. Do You Need a Phono Preamp? Phone preamps can be built right into your turntable. This helps bring the volume up to a level that you can manage. Since so many modern turntables don't have an input jack marked Phono, you might need a built-in preamp. If you don't have one, you might need to purchase an external phono preamp. If you can't decide, it might be beneficial to visit your local music shop and ask the salesman to give you a demonstration. Of course, you'll likely pay a lot more in these shops, so hold off on your purchase until you get back online if you want a lower price.

4. Change the Cartridge. Without a doubt, in almost every possible scenario you will need to change the cartridge. Unless you really know that you have a quality cartridge installed, most stock cartridges are pretty basic and won't give you the top quality sound you are looking for. Pick out a top quality cartridge and install it. You can always switch back to the stock cartridge when you are just messing around at home, and even if there is no real difference that you can tell, you'll still need another cartridge once the original wears out so it's good to have a backup. Either way, keep in mind that top quality cartridges can get a bit pricey so learning how to properly use your turntable is the key to preserving the quality and integrity of your catridges to prolong their life.

How Much Should You Spend on a Turntable?

Once you've narrowed down the choices, your final decision will likely now be based on your budget. As you're probably starting to notice, there are three tiers of turntable prices: cheap, medium and high-quality. Stay away from the cheap turntables as these are likely to break quickly and will provide shoddy sound quality. Mid-range priced turntables are a good way to go for beginners and intermediates while the most expensive turntables will only really become necessary if you are a professional DJ or have the most exquisite ear and can tolerate nothing less.

Author Bio – This guest article is written by James Andrews working for Phone Phun Novelty Telephones Plus specializing in novelty clocks, Barbie products, Harley Davidson products, Crosley record players etc.