It will enhance the sound quality dramatically. If you find out that the sound from suitcase-style record players is too flat and boring, you always have the option to invest in separate powered speakers down the line. Money doesn’t grow on trees, right? At least not for most of us. So, if you are happy with the way they sound, and can live with a little extra wear and tear on records, it might be few reasons left to throw a lot more money on separate gear. Suitcase-style record players costs around one third of a budget setup with a standalone turntable and powered speakers. Benefits with suitcase-style record playersĮven though my top recommendation is to buy separate gear, there are a few benefits of choosing an all-in-one record player as well. It is the sweet-spot between cost and performance in my opinion. But less than a traditional Hi-Fi rig with turntable, amplifier/receiver and passive speakers. Your records deserve a decent turntable.Ī turntable and powered speaker setup will cost more than all-in-on record players. If you have a record collection of high value that you want to keep in mint condition, it is probably best to not invest in a cheap suitcase-style record player. This leads to less friction and less war and tear on records over time. Standalone turntables have more sophisticated tonearms than suitcase-style record players and needs significantly less downforce to track the grooves well. Which again is reported to create more wear and tear on records over time. That means that the needle pushes harder on the record and cause more friction. Suitcase style record players usually have significantly higher tracking force than standalone turntable. It will not only sound better but also last longer and feel more expensive every time you use it. There is no way around that.Ī setup with a standalone turntable and standalone powered speakers is built with a higher quality standard. To be able to manufacture and sell suitcase-style record players as cheaply, it is inevitable that all the components (tonearm, drive, chassis, electronics and speakers) have to be of quite low quality. If it definitely the tiny speakers that is their biggest weakness. When I hook up powered speakers to my suitcase-style record players (I have a Crosley and a Victrola), I found that the sound and bass response increased dramatically. So, if you are looking to play your favorite music with a decent beat and grove, a setup with separate powered speakers is the way to go. Powered speakers have significantly bigger drivers. The speakers in suitcase-style record players are also tiny, unable to provide decent music volume and deep bass. In comparison, even budget powered speakers like the Edifier R1280T, has a built-in amplifier that provides 42 Watts, which is 14 times more. In my comprehensive review of suitcase-style record players, I found that their small speakers are driven by a 3 Watts amplification circuit. The tiny speakers in suitcase-style record players simply can’t produce deep bass and the music sounds quite flat.Įven budget powered speakers like the Edifiers I mentioned earlier sounds dramatically better than a suitcase-style turntable that is playing through its built-in speakers. Let’s look at the primary reason a setup with a turntable and powered speakers is a better option than an all-in-one record player if you are serious about picking the best vinyl setup on a budget.Ī vinyl setup with separate speakers sounds significantly better that a suitcase-style record player with tiny build-in speakers. Let’s look at each option in more detail. If looks and vibe are more important than sound quality, then this can be the best option for you. Suitcase-style record players do however look super cute and charming. It will cost less than a setup with standalone gear, but the sound quality will also be significantly worse. The most obvious alternative is to buy an all-in-one (suitcase-style) record player with built-in speakers. You can see this setup in the picture above. This is a great setup for someone just starting out with vinyl. One popular setup that I use at home is to pair the super-popular Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBK turntable with the amazing Edifier R1280Ts powered speakers. I think this setup gives the most value for money and offers a good balance between cost and performance for new vinyl spinners that start out on a budget. When someone asks me what I think is the best way to start out with vinyl on a budget, my general recommendation for a budget vinyl setup is to buy an entry-level standalone turntable and entry-level powered speakers. As a vinyl and turntable enthusiast, I have everything from cheap suitcase-style record players to audiophile turntables at home.
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