Turntable for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Why Get a Turntable?

A turntable is the only practical way to play vinyl records, which have seen consistent growth in popularity over the past decade. Vinyl offers a format that many listeners find more engaging than streaming — physical media, album artwork, the ritual of handling records and a sound character that some listeners prefer. Entry-level models are now affordable and widely available, making it straightforward for new listeners to get started.

Choosing a First Turntable

For a beginner, a turntable in the £150–300 range from a reputable brand is the practical starting point. The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT and the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo are both widely recommended at the entry-to-mid price point — they include decent cartridges, have adjustable tonearms and produce better sound than the budget all-in-one units that typically compromise platter weight and tonearm rigidity to reduce cost. Avoid units with built-in speakers; these typically pair poor speakers with a mediocre deck and compromise both.

Setting Up the Turntable

Place the turntable on a stable, level surface away from speakers — vibration from speakers fed back through the plinth causes feedback and groove-tracking problems. Set the tracking force according to the cartridge manufacturer's specification, using the counterweight on the back of the tonearm. Set the anti-skate control to the same value as the tracking force. If the unit has a built-in preamp, enable it and connect the line-level outputs to an amplifier or powered speakers. If it does not, connect the phono outputs to a phono preamp or to an amplifier with a dedicated phono input.

Playing Your First Record

Lift the tonearm using the cueing lever — do not lift it by hand, as this risks dropping it onto the record with excess force and damaging the stylus or the groove. Position the tonearm over the outer edge of the record, then lower the cueing lever slowly until the stylus contacts the groove. The platter should already be spinning at the correct speed before you lower the needle. At the end of the side, lift the tonearm and stop the platter before removing the record.

Caring for Your Records and Turntable

Dust is the main enemy of both the stylus and the record groove. Use a carbon-fibre brush to remove surface dust from each record before playing it. Store records vertically in inner sleeves and outer covers. Clean the stylus regularly using a stylus cleaning brush or gel — a dirty stylus causes distortion and accelerates groove wear. Good maintenance habits established early will extend the life of both your records and the stylus significantly. See our mistakes guide for the most common errors to avoid.

Frequently Asked Questions