6 Tips For Choosing the Right Victrola Record Player

The vinyl train has been running at full speed for the last few years, with vinyl records reclaiming their status as the dominant form of physical music. Our records are treasured possessions, serving as family heirlooms that can transport us back in time, or become a memento to pass down. Whether you're entering the world of vinyl for the first time or a seasoned collector, the first step is choosing the right record player to suit your needs.

Regardless of your experience level with vinyl, the process of choosing a new player can be daunting. Most record players these days come with a ton of features well beyond simply dropping a needle and playing a record. It's entirely normal to be unfamiliar with the intricacies of the modern record player. Maybe you're unsure of the difference between a record player and a turntable, since the terms tend to be used interchangeably. Maybe you want to have a deeper understanding of all the speeds of vinyl records. All in all, shopping for a new record player boils down to personal preference and your budget. Victrola's mission is to create lifelong music memories in everyone's homes, and with quality products at virtually every price point, we're here to make your shopping experience a little easier. 

#1 What Kind of Listener Am I?

It’s important to determine what your needs are before choosing the perfect record player or turntable. Some questions to ask yourself include:

• What exactly are you going to be using this device for?
• Are you an audiophile, or a DJ?
• Are you looking for something on the more bare bones side, or something with additional features like a CD player, cassette player, or Vinyl Stream?
• What’s the budget you have for your record player or turntable?

#2 Understand Speeds (Playback Speed)

Vinyl records come in three different types and each is played at a different speed. This speed is measured in RPM (revolutions per minute). If your record collection consists of a certain type of record, this is important to note. The breakdown goes as follows:

• A seven-inch record (usually a single) rotates at 45 RPM
• A 12-inch record (the most common) rotates at 33 RPM
• A 10-inch disc (the oldest of records) rotates at 78 RPM

Every turntable can play records at 45 and 33 RPM, but only “3-speed” record players can support 78 RPM. For instance, a 2-speed machine isn’t going to be able to play 78 RPM (note this if you’re collecting older records) but a 3-speed machine will. By understanding what kind of records you’re going to play, you avoid any mistakes in the purchasing process.

Many modern record players, particularly higher-end models, only offer two speeds, as 78 RPM records are largely out of circulation. Victrola is proud to offer a variety of 3-speed record players, with all of our suitcase and record player music systems offering all three speeds. 

#3 Choose an Aesthetic  

One of the most important aspects of your new record player is how it looks in your listening space. You probably won't want to shoehorn a farmhouse finish in a mid-century loft, nor would you want a '50s inspired piece in a sleek, modern pad. Fortunately, Victrola offers a number of unique, fashionable pieces in a variety of styles, including but not limited to:

• The Mid-Century Modern: Our Empire Bluetooth Record Player is a mid-century modern classic. Its wood finish and bold accents make it the perfect choice for any mid-century space.
• The Suitcase: Perhaps the most familiar shape for the modern record player. Suitcase record players focus mainly on portable design and affordability. Victrola offers a variety of suitcase record players. The Journey is Victrola's take on the classic suitcase record player, a perfect entry-level turntable. The Re-Spin is a modern take on the suitcase record player, coming in a variety of colors, offering best-in-class sound, and constructed from sustainable materials. The Revolution GO may be the most unique record player on the market, a truly portable player that delivers a soundbar quality audio experience.
• The Modern: Victrola's Stream line of wireless turntables offer a sleek, modern aesthetic and connect seamlessly to your Sonos system, allowing you to stream vinyl throughout your home. 

How the turntable fits in your home and what you’re using it for will contribute to the choice above, and it’s one of the many exciting parts about buying a vinyl player.

#4 Which Features Am I Looking For?

 As mentioned above, modern record players range from simple turntables to all-in-one music systems that can do virtually anything. If you're in need of something that will just play your favorite records, our Eastwood Signature is your best bet. Its smart, wood finish, compact size, and custom-tuned, Bluetooth speaker enclosure make it an ideal choice for any vinyl lover. 

If you're seeking portability, the Revolution GO is what you're looking for. It features a built-in, rechargeable battery, offering up to 12 hours of playback on a single charge. Its light weight, retractable handle and included guitar strap make it easy to move around the home, out to the patio, or even on the road. Its Bluetooth speaker enclosure is designed to reduce vibration and provide best-in-class sound.

Have Sonos? Victrola's Stream Carbon and Stream Onyx Wireless Turntables allow you to wirelessly stream your vinyl records to your entire Sonos sytem. Both turntables are made with premium materials and connect to the Victrola Stream app for a quick and easy setup. The Stream turntables feature adjustable tonearms, making for dynamic frequency response and unparalleled clarity.

#5 Make A Budget

With the increasing popularity of vinyl, it's never been easier to find a perfect record player to fit your budget. If you're just getting into vinyl and have a modest budget, we suggest our Re-Spin Sustainable Suitcase Record Player. The Re-Spin's custom tuned Bluetooth speaker enclosure and downward facing bass radiator are unprecedented at a $99.99 price point, offering excellent sound quality and sustainable construction. 

If you're a mid-range shopper, The Revolution GO has everything you need. At $199.99, you won't find a better sounding record player. Its integrated Bluetooth speaker is designed to reduce vibration, keeping your vinyl records safe and scratch free, as well as delivering crystal clear sound, no matter where you take it. 

If you're looking on the higher end, our Stream series of wireless turntables are the way to go, for all the reasons outlined above. Stream music wirelessly to your Sonos system or connect to your existing speaker system using the RCA out. With the Stream Onyx coming in at $599.99 and the Stream Carbon at $799.99, Victrola makes it simple to connect without compromise.

#6 Reach Out and Ask!

Victrola is made up of a diverse team of music lovers, all of whom are deeply passionate about vinyl. We take immense amounts of pride in the products we create, and are always happy to hear from our customers to find out the ways in which we can help. If you have any questions about how to choose the right Victrola record player, feel free to give us a call.

You can contact Victrola’s customer service line at 1 (877) 483-2497

If you prefer written communication, then shoot them an email at support@victrola.com