Giradischi

Giradischi

A hi-fi turntable is the source that lets you experience music more than any other: you choose the record, place it on the platter, lower the tonearm, and listen. But for vinyl to sound truly good, a few carefully crafted elements are needed: a platter that spins at a constant speed, a tonearm that guides the cartridge without vibrations, and a properly amplified signal before reaching your amplifier. On this page, you'll find turntables for those new to vinyl, models for those looking to take a step up in quality, and high-end machines for ambitious systems.

If you're buying your first turntable and don't know where to start, read our practical guide to choosing your first turntable : below you'll find the essential points.

Belt drive or direct drive

In belt-drive turntables, the motor is separated from the platter and rotated by an elastic belt: this is the most common solution in hi-fi because it helps isolate the platter from the motor's vibrations. In direct-drive turntables, the platter is mounted on the motor's spindle: start-up is quick, the speed is very stable, and there's no belt to replace over time. This is why direct-drive is the typical choice for professional and DJ turntables, but today there are excellent direct-drive models also designed for home listening. Neither is absolutely better: what matters is the quality of the individual turntable.

Arm and cartridge: MM or MC

The cartridge reads the groove and the tonearm guides it: together they affect the sound more than any other element. Moving magnet (MM) cartridges have a higher output, are compatible with almost all phono inputs, and often allow only the stylus to be replaced. Moving coil (MC) cartridges have a lower output and require a suitable phono preamplifier, but are the choice of many enthusiasts for detail and refinement. Many turntables come with a cartridge already installed; on others, you can choose one yourself. If you're looking to upgrade your existing one, you'll find a selection of cartridges and tonearms.

Integrated or external prephono

The signal of a head is troppo weak for a normal line input: it must be amplified and equalized by a phono stage. Some turntables have it built in and can be connected directly to any amplifier or active speaker; many amplifiers have a dedicated phono input. Alternatively, you can use a external phono preamplifier, which is often the most effective way to improve the sound of an analog system and becomes indispensable with many MC cartridges. Before purchasing, always check what your amplifier offers.

The basic settings

A turntable should be placed level, on a stable piece of furniture, and away from the speakers. On models with an adjustable tonearm, the tracking force and anti-skate should be adjusted according to the values ​​indicated by the cartridge manufacturer: all you need is a scale and a little patience, and the instructions will guide you step by step. Proper adjustment improves the sound and protects your records.

The turntables you find at Audiocostruzioni

Our selection of new turntables covers all price points and major manufacturers. You'll find models from Pro-Ject, Technics, Thorens, Audio-Technica, and Rega, ideal for beginners or those looking to grow; and specialized brands like Clearaudio, VPI, Michell, and Gold Note for those looking for a high-end turntable. The selection also includes options from McIntosh, Luxman, Yamaha, Teac, and Denon. Among our customers' most popular models are the Audio-Technica AT-LP120X USB, Pro-Ject Debut EVO 2, Technics SL-1500C, Thorens TD 202, and Rega Planar 1.

• Turntable to get you started, even with built-in pre-phono or Bluetooth
• Direct-drive turntables for home listening and professional use
• High-end belt-driven turntables with high-end tonearms and cartridges

Can't decide between vinyl and other sources? Our comparison of vinyl, streaming, or CD: which source to choose can help.

Audiocostruzioni It's a hi-fi store with a showroom and listening room in Carpi (MO), where you can listen to turntables live, and we also sell and ship them online. For advice on matching them to your system, email us: we'll get back to you with specific advice. If you're looking to replace your old turntable, we'll gladly consider a trade-in.