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Top New Vinyl Releases : December 2019
Recommended Vinyl Releases This Month
Based on a highly technical review that consists of us choosing what we 
like, here are our picks as part of the best new vinyl releases 2019, or at least ones we would choose for ourselves. Please comment below how you think we did – be nice please.
We also have some recommendations for classic recordings we think should be in any collection of someone who loves rock music on vinyl.
Here is a link to all the upcoming new releases.
| Cover | Artist | Album | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Eric Clapton | Crossroads Revisited | ★★★★★ |
  | Jim Carroll Band | Catholic Boy | ★★★★½ |
  | Thin Lizzy | Vagabonds of the Western World | ★★★★ |
  | Funkadelic | Maggot Brain | ★★★★★ |
  | Triumph | Classics | ★★★★ |
  | Jimi Hendrix | Songs for Groovy Children : The Fillmore East Concerts | ★★★★★ |
  | Bad Brains | God of Love | ★★★½ |
  | Queens of the Stone Age | Lullabies to Paralyze | ★★★★ |
Each month we will choose our favorite recordings that are released on vinyl. Whether they are new, classic or re-issues, as long as they meet our strict criteria of being cool or important, we will recommend you immediately go out and buy it for your collection. Of course, you can choose to ignore this and buy what you like, your choice. But seriously, these are good records to have if you love rock music on vinyl.
The important thing is that we are here because we appreciate music. We have built a collection of this outdated (some would say) medium because we love it. Whether we buy online or actually travel to another outdated relic, the record store.
See you next month with our new list! To review our previous recommendations, check here.
Books That Rock : Good Reads
In the world of rock and roll, several themes seem to dominate. Artist / band has big dreams, struggles to make it, either does or does not make it big, faces adversity. But whether they are a big success or never reach stardom, every story is unique. Whether the end result is tragedy, triumph, or somewhere in between, these are our picks for some of the best rock and roll books of recent years.
Please also visit our classic and new vinyl recommendations – records that we think belong in any enthusiasts collection. At the end of the day, what is written about an artist is less important than the work they leave behind, although it is always insightful to try to understand the lives behind the music.
Books We Have Read
Also Recommended
Trouble Boys : The True Story of the Replacements
by Bob Mehr
Were the Replacements a great band? That truly depends on how you gauge greatness in a band – did they do something completely different? Not really, although they blended punk, pop and rock in a unique style that was all their own. Did they do something better than anyone else? Well they definitely took rock star excess to a high level, but this shouldn’t define them musically. Did they achieve success and fame? Only in retrospect – in their time, they struggled to fit into a music industry that didn’t know what to do with iconoclasts.
The career of the Replacements could often be seen as a careening roller-coaster filled with highs and lows, self-destruction being a key component of their story. The fact that they were able to hold it together for as long as they did, even through the tragedy of Bob Stinson’s death, was a testament to perseverance despite lack of financial or critical reward.
“We happened to … like all of the funky quirks of the classic rock bands – the Who, the Rolling Stones, the Ramones,” notes Paul Westerberg in the epilogue to the book. “We didn’t have the things that made those bands huge; we had the thing that made them infamous and decadent and, perhaps, great.”
Sad, funny and sometimes heart-breaking, this book is a must-read for those of us who loved this band for what they represented – punk pop rock at it’s sleaziest and most heartfelt.
Also Recommended
Acid for the Children : A Memoir
by Flea
Born into a conservative family in Australia, and raised as a self-described “street rat” in Los Angeles, Michael Peter Balzary, better know by his stage name Flea, has led a roller-coaster life chronicled in this fascinating book. It describes in detail an often confused upbringing that resulted in a contradictory but big-hearted soul who was destined for something greater – although he clearly didn’t have these ambitions early on.
Born in 1962, Flea’s family moved from Australia to New York, where his parent’s split up and he moved in with his mother and musician boyfriend in Los Angeles – the start of his rocky road to rock stardom. His meandering, booze and weed filled life hit a turning point when he met Anthony Kiedis in high school. This partnership led to a lifelong friendship that eventually led to the formation of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The book ends at that point, as this is not a history of the band, but more an exploration of his path to redemption through music.
This is not just for fans of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but is an often moving story of a lost soul finding a path through life through his bond with a kindred spirit and an undying love of music. Inspiring and informative, it offers a deep dive into the backstory of a true artist and fascinating human being.
Also Recommended
Get In The Van
by Henry Rollins
Although known mostly now as a spoken word performer and and writer, Henry Rollins has also been a front man (singer?) for the Henry Rollins Band and, more importantly, seminal punk band Black Flag. Although not the first vocalist (he was the fourth) he was definitely the most well known and controversial. While many find him insightful and illuminating, others may just find him whiny and annoying.
However, he has never been boring, and this book contains a lot of well-written documentation of an important period on punk music. Taken from journals and notes from the period 1981 through 1986 during tours with Black Flag, including a lot of “on-the-road” stories and anecdotes; some funny, some historical, and many just ugly.
The first part of the book is more interesting, written in prose form with descriptions of how it all started in the Washington, DC hardcore scene and how he ended up as the front man for Black Flag. The second part is mostly from journal entries, mostly coverage of the touring of the early 80’s from the perspective of a volatile and often depressed Rollins. Not quite a descent into madness, but a tough read anyway. Confrontations abound, whether with police (“pigs”), the audience, or other bands.
Overall, this is a sometimes difficult read, but enlightening. It ain’t easy being in a punk band, but Henry Rollins came out the other side to write about it.
Also Recommended
Stevie Ray Vaughan : Day by Day, Night After Night
by Craig Hopkins
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s life was both triumphant and tragic. Widely considered one of the best blue rock guitarists in history, he battled personal demons throughout most of his career, almost succumbing to alcohol and drug addictions. Having pulled through the darkest period of his life, he was riding high personally and artistically when his life was cut short on August 27, 1990 in a helicopter crash after a dynamic concert with Eric Clapton and others.
Almost 30 years after his death, he remains a guitar icon and hero in the blues community. This is the second book in a series, the first being “His Early Years, 1954-1982”. It describes the day by day life of the artist during his most productive years in great detail. Filled with testimonials from those who knew him best and a huge number of gallery of photographs, it is a great read for anyone, fan or not.
The genuine passion and fire of Stevie Ray Vaughan may never be equaled – he gave a rock intensity to the blues that made him fans all over the world. There is no telling how much more he could have accomplished had he survived to now. There is no doubt he would have made more great music for his millions of fans.
Also Recommended
Heavier Than Heaven : A Biography of Kurt Cobain
by Charles R. Cross
Millions of words have been written on the musical impact and life of Kurt Cobain. 25 years after his tragic death, his legacy is one of genius cut short. Often a contradictory figure, one minute kind and gentle, the next gruff and unapproachable, he suffered through physical and emotional pain that was exacerbated when he was thrust into the glare of international fame.
This book could be considered a definitive biography due to the hundreds of interviews and quotes and excepts from Cobain himself through diary entries, interviews and even suicide notes. It covers his often traumatic upbringing in the working class area of Aberdeen, Washington. Often grim and depressing, his early days formed his outlook of life that was later reflected in his music.
When Cobain and Krist Novoselic formed what would become the band Nirvana in 1987, he was only 20 years old. After a change of drummer, they released their debut album Bleach in 1989 to little fanfare. But in 1991 they signed with Geffen records and released their masterpiece Nevermind.
The book describes in detail Cobain’s tumultuous relationship with Courtney Love in detail, as well as his difficulty adjusting to the attention received after the release of Nevermind. Credited with propelling the “grunge” (or Seattle) sound into the consciousness of the musical world, he (and others) also had to deal with the inevitable backlash. The weight of all this attention became crushing and debilitating, culminating in his death in 1994.
Cobain’s career only lasted 6 years, but his impact is lasting and deep. There have been some criticisms of this book as too intrusive or colored through the lens of Courtney Love’s inputs – but it can’t be disputed that this is a life worth great detail in the telling, both as a tribute and cautionary tale.
Slash
by Slash, Anthony Bozza
Also Recommended
My Cross To Bear
by Gregg Allman
Books We Will Read
Although we have not yet managed to read these titles, we want to soon. We have attached other reviews and will compile our own when time permits. We are confident based on the subject matter and the outside reviews that these are also among the best rock and roll books you can dive into. Please leave any comments based on your own feedback of these books.
White Line Fever : The Autobiography
by Lemmy Kilmister, Janis Garza
Black Postcards : A Memoir
by Dean Wareham
Reviews
Ace Frehley : No Regrets
by Ace Frehley, Joe Layden, John Ostrosky
Review (GoodReads)
Everybody Loves Our Town : An Oral History of Grunge
by Mark Yarm
Reviews
Online Music Streaming Reviews
So Many Bytes, So Little Time
It seems these days in the US, we feel like we are pushed to take sides, whether it’s politics, sports, Apple vs. Microsoft, Ford vs. Chevy, etc. But do we really need to decide between analog (vinyl) and digital? Of course not, there are advantages and preferences for both, they can each have it’s place. I will not go in depth on this subject, I have a couple points here on why vinyl is still preferable in some ways – but it is clear that there is no escaping online music streaming services as the future of music listening. It’s as inevitable as electric cars, so let’s enjoy both.
Personally, as a vinyl analog aficionado, I have essentially 2 listening modes with different ways of delivering music. I have the “old-school” system, with actual wires and cables connecting components, this is for records and cds. For everyday and travel listening, it’s computer or cell phone through Sonos or other Bluetooth speakers – or headphones if I’m traveling. I even have a couple classic iPods for the car – my car stereos are old.
So Here We Are
Much like TV programming, our music delivery choices have grown immensely over the last couple decades. It wasn’t that long ago that TV consisted of whatever channels you could get locally over the air, then cable came and suddenly there was something on all the time. The Internet, as in many things, changed things even more drastically. With all the choices in online music streaming services, here is something for everyone. We have become a nation inundated with entertainment, which isn’t necessarily always positive, but it’s life in the 21st century.
In the music world, same story. We went from AM/FM radio, cassettes (for the car) and records, to CDs, to virtually unlimited music availability. Personally, my path to streaming music was a series of steps, like most people.
- Bought an iPod because I had an iPhone – thought I was an Apple guy, and they were cool.
- Burned all my CD collection into iTunes, originally bought very little music online.
- Kept all my collection also on hard drives because iTunes would “lose” songs – very annoying.
- Transferred everything to Google Play Music, decided I was tired of Apple’s “my way or the highway” hardware attitude : still have iTunes because of the aforementioned car-based iPod’s.
- Bought Sonos equipment – not cheap but they are pretty cool, like Apple used to be….
- Was sucked into the consumer vortex that is Amazon and also have Music package.
Along the way used other services (XM for the car, Spotify, Pandora) – will get into that below. So, long story short, have lots of music sources, but there are still so many more. What is really the best for the average Joe?
Choices, Choices, Oh My
So, without trying to go too far into analysis paralysis, here is our assessment of the primary offerings for digital streaming and some of the advantages of each. In the end, like anything in life, it can be very dependent on preferences, so we haven’t listed any as the “best”, because pretty much all of these offer a great product. We have shown what we consider the top 8 services, followed by a brief assessment of each.
| Spotify | Amazon Music | Google Play Music | Apple Music | Tidal | Pandora | SiriusXM | Deezer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|
| Cost Levels | Free (w/ads) $9.99 Premium | Free (w/ads) $9.99 Premium $14.99 HD | Free (w/ads) $9.99 Premium | $9.99 | $9.99 Premium $19.99 HiFi | Free (w/ads) $4.99 Plus $9.99 Premium | $8-$21.99 : With car radio or Outside the car | Free (w/ads) $9.99 Premium $14.99 HiFi |
| Free Trial |  | | | | | | | |
| Best Streaming Rate (kbps) | 320 | 1411 | 320 | 256 | 1411 | 192 | 320 | 1411 |
| Key Feature(s) | Interface Playlists Device support | Pricing HD quality Alexa Music only | Music only Simple interface YouTube integration | Music videos No free version Apple integration | Sound Quality FLAC tracks Artist Uploading Artist Support | Low cost Basic features Intuitive playlists | Radio focused TuneStart Pause/Replay Not good for on demand users | Sound quality FLAC tracks |
| Live Programming |  |  | | | | | | |
| Offline Mode | | | | | | | | |
| Music Catalog | +50 million | +50 million +50 million HD | +50 million | +50 million | +50 million | +30 million | N/A | +50 million 36 million HiFi |
| Song Lyrics | | | | | | | | |
| Music Upload | | | | | | | | |
Not Included On This List:
- LiveXLive (Slacker radio) – focused on radio streaming, there is a little confusion since Slacker is still a separate service but essentially they are synergistic. We have not yet reviewed this service thoroughly but looks like a very interesting option with many cool features. We did not see a free trial for this service.
- iHeart Radio – good service, and has nice non-musical content. Has ability to find songs on-demand but is not the focus. Probably best service for someone who wants live programming in the car or home. User interface somewhat more “clunky” than other services.
- QuoBuz – similar to Tidal, key feature is the available sound quality – 24-bit FLAC at huge 4608kbps (desktop) streaming capability. Has a free trial (30-day), and $9.99/$14.99 price tiers. Very intriguing, but not as well known (based in France) and other features seem lacking so far.
- SoundCloud – a different type of service than the others listed. Targets a more specific user primarily looking for indie music – song based, encourages user uploads (claims 100million user uploads). It’s more of a “find new music” service. Pricing is from free (ads) to $9.99 level allowing uploads.
- YouTube Music – at the moment, we don’t see a huge advantage over Google Play Music. Has a $9.99 subscription price. Very new service, so has room to grow, will probably be a big contender very soon, but maybe not there yet.
Feature Importance:
- Cost – we feel this is not all that critical – from the cheapest to the priciest service is a matter of a few beers difference a month. Several of the services are free with ads, so if you just want background tunes and ads don’t bother you, go for it. But that’s not much of an upgrade on flipping on the local radio station, although with better choices.
- Audio Quality – this more important to some than others, and greatly depends on the usage. Most people just listening on their phone through ear buds, probably can’t tell the difference audibly between standard MP3 and FLAC streamed at low or high bit rates. So for ambient listening it may not be a huge issue for you. However, when the music is played through a quality system, the difference can be very noticeable. For example, played through my Sonos system, I can easily tell how much better Tidal sounds than the same song on Google Play Music.
- Side note: Here is a nice summary of file forms and the differences (MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, etc). It can be confusing when talk turns to 16-bit, 44kHz vs. 24-bit, 192kHz depth and other details of the various factors of digital music quality. Here is another technical explanation.
- Music uploading – may be a big issue for some, maybe not others. One issue with most online services – if you quit all your libraries / playlists are gone. An advantage of have a file collection that can be moved and saved is never losing these albums – can be a big concern for rare material.
- Live programming – if it’s only on-demand music replay you are interested in, then most of the services would work. For live programming and other brand-specific program events, it again depends on personal preference. If you really want Howard Stern then you might only want SiriusXM. Specific pod-casting preferences may require some more research to find exactly what appeals to the user.
- Offline mode is important for those of us who listen a lot away from home and don’t want to chew up data. Of course this doesn’t apply to radio-specific features, so again, depends on how you plan to use the service.
Decision Time
So what is best for you? Although we don’t have an overall “Winner”, we do have some preferences. Since we at GTM are music-focused, non-musical offerings are not that critical, we want a lot of selection, good audio quality, and ease of use (on and offline). We don’t consider price a critical issue, although it may be a decider between similar offerings.
Personally, I have been good with Google for years now – relatively simple and holds my whole collection. Nothing fancy, audio quality is good enough for most listening situations. Apple Music is similar and I started with iTunes, but doesn’t seem to offer substantially more than others, except maybe for those who prefer iPhones and Apple watches. I am also using Amazon Unlimited since I have Amazon Prime, it is a good choice for high quality audio – however doesn’t support my legacy music unlike Google or Apple.
Tidal and Deezer are good options for those who place a high premium on quality and discovery. I have used Tidal, and the audio clarity difference with Google was clear, Deezer seems similar. Deezer also allows file upload, which is a big positive.
Spotify seems to cover most of the bases, and has a nice featured service – 110 million users can’t all be wrong. I have used this service as well, other than not having file upload, not much to complain about that I can see.
Pandora and SiriusXM are more radio-centric services, with limited playback features. They are best for picking the type of music (or other programming) you like and just sitting back and letting it play.
So the choice is yours. The nice part is all of these listed services have free trial offers, so there really is no risk to jumping in and trying any one of these out. If you are like me and listen to music most of your day, it’s a cheap investment.
Real Vinyl Record Stores
Analog vs Digital Music
Back in the day (not so long ago), you were required to actually physically travel to real vinyl record stores, maybe more than a few, to find a new record release or a remembered classic you don’t yet have. We have the ability today to quickly and efficiently electronically browse through hundreds of titles online. While that may may save a lot of time and effort, we have lost something in the process, in my humble opinion.
There was a ritual and excitement about going to the local record store that can’t be duplicated staring at the computer screen. They usually smelled “funny”, had various levels of “service” and weren’t always fully stocked – and they weren’t always in the nicest part of town.
But that was part of the fun. Because even if you didn’t always find exactly what you were looking for, almost inevitably while browsing new and used, you found something you didn’t know you needed to have – right now. The record store was the mecca of impulse buying.
While many stores had listening stations so you could check out your selections, in the end you had to hear it on your own equipment to see if it was everything you had hoped for. The music could sound very different from what you heard in the store – for better or worse. But for used records it was a must, to make sure there was an acceptable level of “hiss and crackle”.
The Survivors
Fortunately, there are still quite a few of these dinosaurs around. Although there have been many losses over the last couple decades (RIP Oarfolkjokeopus / Treehouse), several of my favorite shops are still chugging along. Please make a visit if you live in the area, it’s well worth the trip.
This is a nice forum discussion on the Steve Hoffman music site about Twin Cities music stores. Please take a look and maybe join in if so inclined.
Here is also a great site to find record stores in your area, please check it out since I am only listing stores I have personally experienced.
| Store Name | Logo | Location(s) | Products / Genres | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Electric Fetus |  | 2000 4th Ave. S Minneapolis, MN | All products / All Genres Clothing, other products | A favorite of Prince, a Minneapolis institution, 50 years and going strong |
| Cheapo Discs (Records) |  | 2600 Nicollet Avenue Minneapolis, MN 71 Snelling Avenue N Saint Paul, MN 170 89th Avenue NE Blaine, MN | Used and new, all formats / All genres Posters, T-shirts | As the name implies, not fancy, just a lot of good merch. |
| Hymie's Records |  | 3820 E Lake Street Minneapolis MN | Focus on Vinyl / All genres | Vinyl purists, caters to the artist and music lover |
| Roadrunner / Landspeed |  | 4304 Nicollet Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN | Focus on Vinyl / All genres CDs and DVDs | |
| Urban Lights |  | 1449 University Ave W Saint Paul, MN | All formats / All genres | Mostly on this list for nostalgia - was my go-to store in college (as Northern Lights) |
| Down In The Valley |  | 8020 Olson Mem. Hwy Golden Valley, MN 5586 W Broadway Ave Crystal, MN 13633 Grove Dr Maple Grove, MN | All formats / All genres Movies, T-shirts, Tickets | Suburban version, staple in the Twin Cities for decades |
Before We Go
This is an interesting piece on a record store in the city I was born, Mankato MN. I have actually never been there but will go soon and update in our GTM News and Views on the experience.
Vinyl Records Online Stores
Find And Buy Vinyl Records With The Click Of A Mouse
Now you can buy vinyl records online more easily than ever due to the continued growth of the internet. Allowing for instant communication and obtaining information exponentially faster than ever before. For the music collector, it has allowed him or her the ability to hundreds of releases quickly, with the ability to listen to the whole recording before making a purchase. Or by paying a service, basically opening up an enormous compendium of music to “collect”.
In my opinion, there are several downsides to this unlimited access to virtual record stores. In particular, for the vinyl collector:
- Some of the experience is lost – as discussed in my summary of surviving record stores, a lot of the “discovery” process no longer requires any real effort, therefore negating some of the excitement and fun.
- You can usually listen to the music online, but it may sound very different when the actual vinyl is played. Maybe this won’t make a big difference in the purchase decision, but it’s like buying a car without a test drive on your own roads – especially if you are buying used.
- You are not supporting local businesses. As noted, small focused record stores are becoming more and more rare – it’s a shame.
Yeah But It’s Easier
But there is no getting around the convenience of buying online. Often it allows you to find records you couldn’t find anywhere else. And it saves gas and time, valuable commodities in today’s world.
So – here are the best places we have found to get your vinyl fix if you can’t find what you want locally. There are many other sources than what we have listed, but we think you could find almost anything you are looking for, unless extremely rare.
Discogs
Probably the king of all things vinyl, there is a vast selection here, a lot to like – including the forums and groups. In this marketplace setting, similar to Ebay, there are the risks of not getting what you paid for, but this seems to be rare. Buy from a good seller and there shouldn’t be any issues. The advantage is the opportunity to get a good price on almost any record out there.
Reverb LP
Another marketplace site, this is another good place to find new and used records from all genres due to the high number of sellers that use the service. Much like Discogs and Ebay, prices can vary due to sellers and shipping, but you can usually find a good deal. Used to be known as SoundStageDirect.
Music Stack
Another marketplace site with a high number of sellers – online since 1997. Good place to locate those out-of-print and rare releases.
Elusive Disc
While primarily a vinyl record site with a specialization in hard to find discs, the site also offers turntables and other audio equipment for the vinyl audiophile. Based in Indiana, the company was established in 1989.
The Sound of Vinyl
This site is pretty well known among collectors because of some exclusive releases and large global selection. Members can get curated lists tailored for them with daily text updates. Also has exclusive interviews with artists and producers for deeper looks into the making of the music.
EIL
Older site, that feels like it – the interface is a little old-school and clunky. Despite this, a go-to site for basically everything vinyl and related music products. New and used, rare and desirable, this site usually has it and an enthusiastic collector can spend a lot of time (and money) here.
Vinyl Loop
A mostly curated, member driven site, Vinyl Loop offers a more personalized experience in finding the right records for your collection. Limited edition and independent releases are a focus, providing the members some deals not available everywhere.
LPNOW
A real collectors site, specializing in rare and out of print releases. The selection is bigger than it appears from the spare and out-dated website, but might provide records you can’t find elsewhere.
Ebay
No surprises here – new and used records and collections you can bid on. Maybe you will get a great deal, beware of any high shipping costs or low-repute sellers. Having the backing and policies of a large site can be a plus when buying somewhat sight (and hearing) unseen.
Amazon
No big surprise here – what can’t you buy on Amazon now? This is an obvious choice, as the selection is immense and buying/shipping is very convenient. Also with Amazon Marketplace, getting used records is also a snap here.
P.S.
In addition to the sites listed above, there are more eclectic and curated sites you might want to visit if you are looking beyond the basic rock best-sellers. These are some choices from The Vinyl Factory you might want to visit : https://thevinylfactory.com/features/10-must-visit-online-record-shops-for-second-hand-vinyl/
What Makes A Great Turntable?
What are the key construction items and features that make the top vinyl record players “great” vs. turntables that make Eddie Vedder sound like Justin Bieber (without the auto-tune)? There are many factors, from the components themselves to the accuracy and noise margin of the analog signal itself – which usually ends up digitally converted and amplified in some fashion and sent through any number of speaker or headphone types. In most vinyl record player reviews these are the key components in making the record player accurately reproduce the intended sound.
And we won’t even go into the factors involved in the quality of production of the records themselves or the cleaning and care of the vinyl. Those topics will be reviewed in more detail in a future article, but suffice it to say, they are critical to the overall sound as well.
So What To Look For?
What this means is that while one high end turntable may sound great in one system, it may not sound so great in others. Aside from the non-turntable factors, which depend on the end users method of building an audio system – turntables basically have the following components that contribute to the ability to accurately reproduce the originally intended sound.
Basic Construction:
- Plinth or Base: The plinth is the base of the turntable – it provides the foundation that everything else is built upon. It provides the stability and isolation required for quiet and consistent rotation of the record on the platter. Plinths can be made of wood (or MDF), plastic, or metal, resting on feet often tipped with rubber.
- The Platter: The platter is the part of the turntable that the record sits upon. They are typically made of steel or aluminum, with aluminum the preferred choice for higher end systems. The platter is spun by the motor at various revolutions per minute (most commonly 33 and 45, and occasionally 78). A mat is often set upon the platter to act as a buffer between platter and record, but this may not be necessary depending on the turntable. Platters are usually removable.
- The Drive Motor: The platter is rotated by a belt-drive internal or external to the platter, or direct drive where the motor is attached directly. Belt-drive is considered superior for noise reduction but direct drive is typically used in “professional (DJ)” units because of their instant torque and accuracy.
- The Tonearm: The tonearm, or ‘arm’ sits off to the side of the platter and supports the cartridge and stylus, a typical radial or pivotal arm designed to allow the stylus to trace the record in an arc from its outside edge towards the center. The tonearm can be straight or curved. There are also tonearms known as linear or parallel tracking arms which trace the record from the outer edge in toward the center in a perfectly straight line, exactly as the record was cut during the manufacturing process. Such tonearms are usually reserved for the highest end turntables, and most of the turntables on the market today feature a standard radial or pivotal tonearm. The tonearm typically has a counterweight to help adjust the tracking force – optical tracking is neither too light or too heavy and is critical to record sound and wear. Tonearms can be manual or automatic. Some prefer the manual for the audiophile grade sound.
- Cartridge: The cartridge is the piece that holds the stylus and attaches to the tonearm in a headshell. Besides the stylus, it contains other parts such as the coil, cantilever, suspension, and magnet. There are 3 primary technologies used in cartridges, the Ceramic, Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) designs.
- A ceramic cartridge is the cheapest to make, and generates an electrical signal through a piezoelectric pickup.
- A MM-type cartridge utilizes a magnet on the end of a cantilever holding the stylus to translate tip movement into an electrical signal. This is the more common configuration in modern hi-fi turntables, as the tracking force is lighter than ceramic and can more accurately reproduce at all frequencies.
- The MC-type cartridge is somewhat the inverse of the MM type – a stationary magnet and coils move within the mechanism to create the electrical signal. They typically produce a lower output than the MM design and may require additional pre-amplification. This type is mostly seen in very high-end turntables.
from its outside edge towards the center. The tonearm can be straight or curved. There are also tonearms known as linear or parallel tracking arms which trace the record from the outer edge in toward the center in a perfectly straight line, exactly as the record was cut during the manufacturing process. Such tonearms are usually reserved for the highest end turntables, and most of the turntables on the market today feature a standard radial or pivotal tonearm. The tonearm typically has a counterweight to help adjust the tracking force – optical tracking is neither too light or too heavy and is critical to record sound and wear. Tonearms can be manual or automatic. Some prefer the manual for the audiophile grade sound.
- Stylus: This is the piece that tracks in the vinyl grooves – where the rubber hits the road. They typically come in 2 tip types – elliptical and spherical. Elliptical types tend to be slightly more expensive, but sit deeper in the grooves. The tips are usually made of one of two materials, diamond or sapphire. Diamond, being much harder, has much better wear characteristics and are found in most higher end cartridges. Both, however, need to be replaced on a regular basis to maintain sound quality and avoid record groove damage.
Other Considerations:
- Pre-Amps: A turntable may come with a pre-amplifier built in to boost the electrical output to normal audio signal strength, but many do not. If they don’t, they may require an external pre-amp to boost the signal to input to a stereo receiver. Many modern receivers no longer have a phono line-in with a built-in pre-amp.
- USB or Bluetooth: There are modern turntables with built-in USB connections that enable an easy way to convert records to a digital, which may be useful in converting old records that are hard to find in a digital format. Bluetooth can enable a wireless playback, although the sound quality would be questionable – this seems better suited to digital formats.
- Speed Selection: Almost all turntables come with the ability to play 33 1/3 or 45rpm speeds, sometimes with a manual belt adjustment or by switch. Some turntables also enable playing older 78rpm vinyl but there are not many models with this feature.