Take these turntables for a spin
BUYING a classic old record player can be a shrewd investment – as their values rarely fall. One can be plugged into existing hi-fi equipment as long as there is an amplifier with a built-in ‘phono stage’ to boost the signal. Here are four of the best second-hand turntables – prices vary according to condition.
GARRARD 301 £1,800
This forerunner of the modern turntable came out in 1954. It was introduced as a bare chassis without a base – known as a plinth. Early examples often had a homemade plinth made of slate or marble. MICHELL GYRODEC £1,500 Not just a fabulous sounding piece of kit – but a work of art. The 1982 British- made disc spinner was developed from a futuristic Transcriptor record deck used in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange.
LINN SONDEK LP 12 £1,000
The turntable audiophiles hold up as the benchmark for top quality vinyl listening. Introduced in 1973 by Glasgow-based company Linn, it can be upgraded with ease – but this will cost thousands of pounds.
REGA PLANAR 3 £250
This relatively bargain- priced turntable came out in 1978 and its modern reincarnation is still going strong. Offers a great introduction to how vinyl can sound much better than CDs and music streaming. ICONIC: A Transcriptor