Record players can be found in most homes, and they're a fun way to listen to music. But before you buy one, you should know a few facts. First, let's talk about record types: 78s, 45s, 33 1/3 rpm, and the Elliptical stylus. You'll also want to understand what a gramophone is.
78s
The best 78s record players are easy to use and have easy-to-change cartridges. A couple of options are the Shure M44 or SC35. If you don't need to play 78s, the Stanton 500 series or Ortofon Pro range are suitable. Both models come with both LP and 78 styli.
78s shellac records have a low-quality sound and large grooves, but they preserve the original recording. The only downside of this is that the sound isn't as good as it would be with a 45. In addition, 78s records have a short playing time (usually about three to four minutes), and the discs are brittle.
45s
In 1949, RCA Victor introduced the seven-inch 45 RPM record. It could hold up to two minutes of music on each side. This format was a great improvement over LPs, but it also had a few drawbacks. For one, 45s were shorter and more prone to skipping than LPs. As a result, 45s were phased out by 1978, but were introduced again in 2006.
Many record collectors still have a collection of 45s from the era. However, 45s can cause damage to a hi-fi set-up, especially if they are not in pristine condition. Fortunately, most record players have an adaptor for center-hole 45s, which makes them more suited for the purpose of listening to records.
33 1/3 rpm
The RPM (revolution per minute) of a record player is the speed at which the record is played. The higher the RPM, the faster the vinyl passes beneath the stylus and thus more sound information is sent to the speakers. This means that 45 RPM records tend to have better audio quality and less distortion than those played at 33 1/3 rpm.
The most common format for modern LPs is a 12-inch vinyl record that plays at 33 1/3 RPM. However, LPs played at 45 RPM have a better sound quality, lower distortion, and longer play times. In addition to LPs, there are singles and extended play records, which have different playing times.
Elliptical stylus
There are two basic types of stylus used by record players: elliptical and conical. Both styli have their own advantages and disadvantages. The elliptical stylus is less expensive and is favored by many musicians. It is less expensive than the conical stylus, but will produce less sound. The conical stylus is less effective than the elliptical stylus at picking up high frequencies.
The quality of your record player will depend on the type of stylus used. Most lower-end turntables use metal needles with diamond tips. This makes the stylus heavier, which affects the sound quality. However, higher-end turntables, such as those sold on Amazon, utilize wireless Bluetooth technology.
Tonearm
The tonal response of a record player's tonearm is important for the quality of sound reproduction. Misalignment of the stylus can result in distortion or hums during playback. The good news is that you can get a tool like Align It to help you align the stylus correctly. Another important aspect to consider when choosing a tonearm is balancing.
Different tonearm models have different tracking abilities. For example, a longer tonearm will create lower tracking distortion and a higher effective mass. Shorter tonearms will cause more tracking distortion.
Built-in phono jack
The Built-in phono jack is a connector used by record players to connect with a stereo system. It is a common feature of older record players. A phono preamp raises the output signal from the record player. Most modern stereos don't have this feature, but you can still hook your record player up to one using a USB connection.
A high-quality record player will come with a gold-plated phono jack. Some models even include Bluetooth connectivity to connect with a computer or phone. Streaming services are another great way to listen to records.
USB port
Many audiophiles believe that a record player with a USB connection is of inferior quality. This perception is often based on the fact that cheaper brands often offer a lot of features in order to appeal to a larger market. However, this is not necessarily the case. A record player with a USB connection may have just as high quality as one with a headphone jack.
USB record players connect to computers and can be used to convert vinyl records to digital format and transfer them to a CD. Once you have the audio data, you can store it on your computer or burn it to an audio CD. This technique is especially helpful when archiving vinyl records and playing them on portable devices. Many USB turntables also have a line input, which allows you to connect a standard tape deck.