Been inside an Urban Outfitters lately? Surely you must’ve walked by their collection of record players before. Maybe your family has an old one, from back when they were used by just about everyone. Lately there’s been some hype going around with bringing old technology back, with not just record players but polaroid cameras and of course fashion trends. Many people out there are interested in these players but don’t really know if they should go through and make the purchase. Would you actually put it to use? Is it just a decoration? There’s a lot to consider with most of the things you buy, and it’s no different for turntables.
You can’t question anyone for even thinking about wanting a record player. There are just some things about vinyls that people can’t help but enjoy. The records themselves, sometimes coming in special colors and designs, the packaging, having large copies of album covers in comparison to smaller CD cases. Maybe you want to relax and listen to your music fill your room’s atmosphere. If you know you’re not going to waste the money on it, it’s a good purchase. But just which player should you invest in? The image you probably have in your head is the portable Crosley turntables that are always on stock and available in different designs at Urban Outfitters. These are typically around $70 and a nice buy for those who prefer a visually pleasing product. The same brand also offers more expensive players, like a $130 5-in-1 player with more available functions and better sound quality. If you want the best sound experience from a turntable, Audio-Technica offers $80 models for those who aren’t looking for much more than that. As for buying vinyls, there isn’t much to worry about when thinking of where to buy them. Records can be bought at many different stores and do not come in different qualities.
The holidays are right around the corner. Is a record player a good gift for you or someone you know?