This music will last forever: TOP 5 modern turntables

American audio equipment manufacturer Crosley is known for its turntables, jukeboxes, radios and even disk phones. The Executive vinyl record player combines classic forms inherent in rare vintage models with high-tech modern equipment.

The model is made in the form of a compact suitcase with dimensions of 400x400x170 mm and a weight of 3.9 kg. The surface is finished with eco-leather and is offered in several combined vintage colours. The locks and fittings are made of metal coated with old bronze. The product looks stylish and expensive.

Having begun to study the functionality of the model, you understand why the manufacturer dubbed it Executive (from the English "executive"). The device plays all kinds of records at all possible speeds – 33, 45, 78. For more accurate reproduction, and this is sometimes required for individual records, a pitch control function is provided, which allows you to reduce or increase the speed of revolutions by 10%.

A ceramic needle with a sapphire tip is responsible for sound transmission. It is strong, but not so strong that, for example, a child could not break it by carelessness or pranks by pressing on the tonearm. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided the opportunity to order a spare needle.

In addition to the built-in audio system, the records can be listened to through headphones, the input for them is located directly on the work panel. The main panel of openings is located on the back side of the case. These are tulip outputs for connecting an external speaker, an AUX input, and even USB for digitizing records from records on a computer.

Turning to the sound characteristics of the built—in audio system, it is worth recalling that Executive is a compact solution, so you should not expect something outstanding in sound from it. Two 3-inch speakers with a power of 2 watts each, located on the sides of the player, give quite an expected scene with well-developed mid and high frequencies. But that's all they're capable of.

The desire to get more from the sound, especially in the low-frequency range, will depend on the external active speaker type that you connect. But even here you can't jump over your head, since the sound quality is to a certain extent limited by the characteristics of the pickup and phono corrector. And they are in the Executive — for a C grade. However, the price is not outstanding.

For the fusion of vintage, charisma and advanced technologies embodied in the player, it is proposed to pay only $ 140, which is more than acceptable for those who want not only to treat themselves to a "vinyl" sound, but also to boast of a beautiful, stylish thing.

Sony-branded audio equipment pleases hundreds of thousands of fans of good sound around the world, including vinyl fans. With the help of a modern PS-LX300USB player, your favorite records will sound in a new way.

The model is made in a laconic design a la the 70s, made of black polycarbonate, so it will fit perfectly into the interior of any room. It consists of a base and a transparent removable cover. It has a light weight of 3.3 kg and compact dimensions of 420x342x100 mm. 4 round rubberized supports give the structure stability and reliable fixation on the surface.

On the player, you can listen to records at 33 and 45 rpm, while there is an autoplay function when the tonearm is lowered automatically so as not to damage the needle. By the way, the needle is diamond and is designed for 1000 hours of listening. The belt drive of the disc works very quietly, almost noiselessly, so that only a slight crackling in the pauses between songs gives out a "vinyl" sound.

There is no built-in acoustics in the PS-LX300USB, but it is not needed here. The player can be connected to any external active speaker and achieve the sound you are used to. There is also the possibility of digitizing records from records on a computer via a USB B slot. To do this, the manufacturer includes a corresponding cable and a disc with the proprietary licensed software Sound Forge Audio Studio.

The purchase of Sony PS-LX300USB will cost $200. Is it a lot or a little against the background of more sophisticated in functional terms iON Mustang LP or Crosley Executive , it's up to you. But Sony is Sony. And that says it all.

The American audio brand ION Audio produces 4 product groups: home discos, personal Open Air, vinyl players, musical instruments. Mustang LP is the company's business card, a powerful 4—in-1 audio system that connects a record player, a radio receiver, a device for recording and reproducing audio files.

It is available in two colours: bordeaux and black. The wooden case and lid with the Mustang logo are covered with piano varnish, look spectacular and look especially organic in the interiors of loft and retro styles.

But the main "trick" of the audio system is the design of the radio, exactly repeating the dashboard of the Ford car model of the same name. In the centre on the front panel there is a "speedometer" — an analogue AM/FM scale, on the left — a round and massive volume control knob, on the right — the same settings.

There is a vinyl player on top that supports three RPM speeds — 33, 45 and 78, and in the sides of the case there are built—in speakers with a total power of 2.4 W. The sound of them is very similar to the sound of old vinyl players: the prevailing mid-frequency range, crumpled treble, lack of bass. This is done intentionally to emphasize the vintage of the model. Connecting an external speaker, or converting a record from a record into a digital format will help you fully enjoy the sound of vinyl.

There are two ways to digitize a record: by inserting a USB flash drive into the USB, or by connecting the player to a computer and using special software. In the first case, the sound cannot be processed, it will be recorded as it is in the original, and only in MP3 format 128 kbps. But the possibilities of playback from a flash drive are wider: MP3, WMA and WAV files are supported.

The player can also be used to listen to audio files from an external device (smartphone, tablet) via the AUX line input, and, of course, listen with headphones.

Buying a Mustang LP will cost $250 – 260. Considering the exclusive design, quality of execution and technical capabilities, it is, in general, inexpensive. After all, you get not only a multifunctional audio system, but also an image thing.

Any product of the Japanese Audio-Technica brand is an indicator of the good taste of its owner. The AT-LP120-USB vinyl player is a powerful fusion of analogue "warm sound" and modern technologies.

The device is made in a minimalistic "Spartan" design and is offered in black or silver colours. Immediately note the considerable weight of the product — almost 11 kg. This is not a plastic toy turntable for 10K rubles, but a solid unit with a cast aluminium support disc and massive anti-vibration supports.

The kit includes a branded slipmat (a pad on the disc), a dust cover, a removable shell of the pickup, a counterweight (for non-native pickups) and power cords.

The control buttons are intuitive, respond well to pressing, pitch control is smooth. Among the additional amenities there is a needle illumination and a reverse function that allows you to rewind the record to the fragment you like and listen to it again. The player supports all three disc playback speeds: 33, 45 and 78 rpm.

With the phono corrector and the native pickup turned on, by connecting the player to a good receiver, you can get quite a decent sound. At the same time, it will have a pleasant softness, with a fairly dense and deep scene. To whom this will not be enough, you can make an "upgrade" — put another pickup, for example, Ortofon, Denon or Grado.

The player supports recording from the record in digital format. To do this, it has a USB connector and a cable for connecting to a computer, and a disc with the Audacity programme is included. The built-in ADC will digitize your records as 16 bits, 48 kHz.

Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB is highly appreciated by both experts and audiophiles. Definitely, the player allows you to bring vinyl to a new high-quality level of sound. That's just worth a lot of such pleasure — $ 450. But there is always a way out. For less biased listeners, the manufacturer offers a simpler model, but significantly cheaper, Audio-Technica AT-LP60-USB .

The Austrian company Pro-Ject occupies a small but stable niche in the audio equipment market, delighting its fans with audiophile Hi-Fi products. Juke Box E vinyl player will breathe a second life into your records, giving them a new sound.

The device is made in a strict design, and is offered in black, red or white. It has a lacquered MDF table, an aluminium disk and a transparent protective cover. For its size (415x320x118 mm) it weighs a lot — 5 kg, but the reason for this is quite objective.

Juke Box has a built-in 50-watt amplifier. That is, it is enough to connect a passive speaker to it and voila. If desired, the device can be used as a regular player, with any external receiver, there is also a phono corrector in it.

Manual adjustment is performed with just one rotary knob. On the right side of the table there is a mini-display that helps you navigate through the options. You can also control the settings remotely — using the remote control — adjust the frequencies, volume, activate tone compensation, and even turn on Bluetooth, although outdated, 2.1.

By sound, Juke Box E withstands almost any criticism. This is Hi-Fi, albeit entry-level, but still Hi-Fi. Moreover, with the possibility of an upgrade. If desired, the complete head of the Ortofon OM 5E pickup is one of the best among the low-cost ones, you can replace it with something more interesting. And, of course, a lot of the sound depends on the choice of speakers.

Of the disadvantages, in addition to outdated Bluetooth, fans of digitizing old records will note the lack of such an opportunity. You will not be able to listen to records recorded at 78 rpm on the player.

Otherwise, the Pro-Ject Juke Box E is an excellent all—in-one Hi-Fi system for $460. Not cheap, but not angry.