The best vinyl players: review and photos

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

As you know, in any more or less large settlement of our vast country there is a sufficient number of citizens who are unevenly breathing towards works of musical art. Some of these fans are adherents of a particular genre, while others prefer variety. If only the music would correspond to a certain level of quality, and also be in harmony with the temperament of a person.

Some people prefer to listen to music alone and not share their passion with strangers. Someone has friends in this interest, with whom you can have a good time discussing the new album of your favorite artist. Someone even classifies himself as a member of a musical subculture (punks, metalheads, rappers, etc.). Some people like to attend live performances of performers, while others like to listen to recorded music…

For those who are not allequals

Here we come to a very interesting question… Sound recording lovers are divided into those who are indifferent to the sound quality - as long as they play, and those who are used to listening to music in high quality. The former can be satisfied with listening to online recordings posted on various social networks through ordinary low-power computer speakers. For the second, such elements of this process as sound recording resolution, bitrate, and high-quality audio equipment are important. Well, the most sophisticated music lovers have equipment for listening to music on analog media, or, in any case, dream of one. A special term has even appeared on the Internet, denoting a music lover, a lover of high-quality sound - an audiophile.

Everyone had a gramophone…

Speaking of analog sound, it is impossible to ignore such a device as a turntable. What is the best turntable? This question is asked by many audiophiles, faced with a great variety of proposals that are replete with the Internet. Let's look into this difficult issue and from the numerous products of various brands we will try to choose the best vinyl players.

Along with modern players, which are now produced by a huge number of companies, used devices of Soviet production are also put up for sale. We will begin our review with them.

The old horse will not spoil the furrow

A number of Internet resources are dedicated to the theme of the best Soviet vinyl players: websites, forums, communities in social networks. In a word, lack ofthere is no such information. However, this is not the first year that the endless dispute about the superiority among the best vinyl players of the USSR has been going on.

The participants of specialized forums explain their interest in antique equipment something like this: these devices were created by Soviet engineers in order to obtain a unique sound, some samples are made really soundly and with a small upgrade they can catch up and even overtake their Western competitors.

The vast majority of vinyl connoisseurs give the first place to the Elektronika electric players, namely the Elektronika B1-01 model and its modifications B1-011, B1-04, created in the 1960s by a group of engineers of the Georgian SSR and manufactured by the company Thorens.

Electronics B1-01

The advantages of these models include:

• durable wood frame;
• excellent performance of the SME tonearm and anti-skating;
• aluminum control panel;
• strict design;
• disk and shell reliability.

Specifications:

• device runs on belt drive;
• disc - zinc cast;
• low speed motor;
• chassis, tonearm and platter bearing work great;
• flexural vibrations are minimized by molded top panel;

Sturdy tonearm is a metal tube of impressive size. This model certainly has someshortcomings, but with the correct settings and minor improvements, you get an excellent player. Here is a list of actions that are recommended to be performed after purchasing the Electronics B1-01 device. To prevent disk rotation from failing, you should:

• polish the axle surface;
• keep the disc static and motionless;
• grind the belt;
• Place a woolen circle under the rubber mat supplied with this product.

Electronics-012

When reviewing the best turntables, you should pay attention to the Elektronika-012 model.

This device is able to delight your ears with the accuracy and power of the reproduced sound. Here are some of the innovations that manufacturers have endowed with devices of this sample:

• uses new, improved auto-stop and generator circuit;
• strong product design;
• more comfortable and durable controls.

Electronics EP-017

Electronics EP-017 rightfully occupies its well-deserved place in the list of the best vinyl players of the Soviet Union.

The designers have endowed this model with a magnificent tonearm, the movement of which is provided by an electric motor that works on the feedback principle.

Supplied with a high quality mount, the arm travel is surprisingly free and can be checked by moving it by hand. With such manipulations, the effect of the tonearm hovering above the body is created.player. Records with defects (curvature, scratches) that are “too tough” for many other electric players are easily reproduced. The model is endowed with a direct drive, which, of course, is the indisputable advantage of the device we are considering.

As we can see, there are quite a few worthy models among the high-quality turntables produced under the Electronics brand. Some of them with dignity endured long years of operation in intensive mode. With a little tweaking at home (the possibility of such an upgrade was kindly provided by wise developers), any of the listed models becomes competitive in the audio device market.

Other Soviet players

Noteworthy is also the player "Aria-102". The external data of this device is quite spectacular - the case, made in silver-black tones, looks quite modern. The technical advantages include a straight disk of impressive dimensions, easily adjustable, the surface of which sometimes needs to be leveled. All keys are pressed with a light touch. The device is equipped with a stroboscope. Autostop works flawlessly. "Aria-102" fully satisfies the needs of lovers of retro technology.

It is also worth mentioning the device "Estonia EP-010S", one of the best players of vinyl records in the USSR. This model can be called without exaggeration a miracle of technology and engineering, since the process of listening to music here is fully automated and is similar tolistening to music on a CD-player: the device is equipped with keys for switching tracks. Recognition of the location of the track on the plate is carried out using a photodiode located on the tonearm.

Latest technology

From considering significant milestones in electrical engineering of the past years, let's move on to the present and scroll through a number of Internet pages in order to identify the best turntables offered to us by existing manufacturers. As you might guess, most of the technical innovations in the latest generation of players are associated with the presence in some of these devices of the ability to connect to a computer (USB port). Many of the achievements of the past, as we will soon see, have been lost.

Internet sites are full of advertisements for the best turntables - from inexpensive to high-end models with fabulous prices. So let's start exploring this area of modern technology. We suggest starting with the best budget turntables and moving up as the cost increases.

Simple and tasteful

The iON Vinyl Motion device is the best among economy class players

ICT09RS. This model is made in retro style for portable portable players of the first half of the 20th century. The device has the following specifications:

• medium-sized straight metal swivel arm;
• belt drive;
• electronic autoshift;
• built-in speakers;
• headphone output;
• USB port.

With its light weight (2.7 kg), this player has all the technical capabilities for high-quality playback of analog tracks.

The next noteworthy player in this price range is the Sony PS-LX300USB. It has a more austere appearance, typical of 80s turntables, and features such as a built-in phono stage, auto-stop, auto play, USB port (type B), media recording capability.

Price-quality

Now let's turn to the new products, the cost of which is beyond the economy class, and pay attention to the representative of the best mid-range turntables.

Rega Queen's electric turntable, whose design is clearly designed for the audience of fans of the famous British band, is really her compatriot. The device is equipped with a disc of impressive size. The package includes a special dust box.

Well, in conclusion of our acquaintance with the best vinyl players, let me introduce you to the titled person - the Avid HiFi Diva II SP LP player.

Without a doubt, this unit is designed only for those who are willing to pay significant amounts of money for the pleasure of high-quality sound. Device Options:

• double belt drive;
• stainless steel bearing;
• futuristic design.

In a word - chic, shine, beauty! This is a real paradise for the sophisticated listener and connoisseur of fine arts.

A final word

That's the end of our tour of the exhibition of the best turntables of all time. Of course, the list we have given may seem incomplete to someone, and this someone will be right, since in the entire history of the production of players, a lot of equipment has been released that deserves the closest attention. But, as they say, you can not embrace the immensity. Finally, I would like to wish a pleasant listening to your favorite music to all audiophiles and music lovers. After all, music is an art that reflects our thoughts and feelings, forcing us to experience unique emotions.