It's very likely that as you sat down for a holiday meal with your family, the conversation may have taken a nostalgic turn as older family members marveled at the recent comeback of the records that were popular when they were young. In case you haven't heard (pun intended), vinyl is officially "in" again.
Modern day musicians are releasing their albums as LP (long play) vinyl records, and record player manufacturers have stepped up to the meet the demand. If you're longing to discover the vintage music listening experience that your parents loved so much but you don't know where to begin, fear not! This simple guide will lead you to a glorious new world of sweet sounds.
Record Player Systems
Crosley Cruiser Turntable
This is what comes to mind for most people when they visualize "modern" record players. Crosley's suitcase-style Cruiser has revolutionized the turntable comeback with its minimalist design, portability, and built in speakers. It's extremely popular with millennials but it is also a great fit for any new vinyl enthusiast, and it comes in a variety of colors. The Cruiser can be found at Target, Walmart, and most stores where vinyls are sold; the price ranges from $69 at Target to $99 on Crosley Radio's website. If the brand of the record player is not one of your primary concerns, you can also find similar 3-speed turntables from Innovative Technology and other manufacturers.
Pyle Bluetooth Turntable/Speaker System
A huge part of the reason why record players are so successful in today's market is because of their vintage, nostalgic appeal. The PTCD4BT system from Pyle does a beautiful job of capturing that feeling. It looks like a classic oak wood model straight out of the 1940s but includes many advanced features such as wireless Bluetooth capability, remote controls, an MP3 player dock, a CD player AM/FM radio, and a USB port for digital recording. This modern technology comes at a price of $200 at Best Buy, but you can also purchase the record player for just $125 on Amazon.
Audio-Technica AT-LP120
If you're looking for a long term investment, try the LP120 player from Audio Technica. It's advertised as a "Direct-Drive Professional Turntable" so as you can guess, it is significantly more expensive than most of Crosley's products -- to be exact, it costs $299 at Urban Outfitters. However, the increase in price goes hand in hand with an increase in quality. According to Audio Technica's website, the LP120 has a hinged dust cover to keep the turntable in pristine condition, pitch adjustment controls, a USB adapter so users can connect their computers, and unique software that can "digitize" your vinyls. This player is the real deal for any serious record lovers.
Vinyl Records
Once you purchase a player, it's time for the fun part: starting your vinyl collection! LP records can be found almost anywhere these days, from Barnes & Noble to Instagram accounts. Secondhand stores are an invaluable resource -- they carry up to hundreds of records from all genres, and if you spend a good amount of time browsing the bins you will find cheap, used vinyl records that are still in decent condition. These stores often carry cleaning fluid, replacement needles, and anything else you might need to maintain your record player.
Subscription services like Vinyl Me, Please are also rising in popularity. Users pay a recurring fee and in return receive an exclusive, custom-pressed vinyl in the mail each month. Most importantly, do not overlook the role of your loved ones in giving you easy access to more records. Share music with your friends or have record player parties when you hang out. Ask your older relatives if you can look through their collections and pick out a few old vinyls that spark your interest...the options are endless. Good luck and happy listening!
