Today we are going to look at the coolest retro record players on the market right now. When it comes to entertaining guests or simply enjoying the tranquility of your own space, a retro turntable adds a level of sophistication to the way you’ll enjoy your music. Don’t think of the record player as a thing of the past, many of today’s hottest albums can be found on vinyl. What’s even cooler about these retro record players is that they don’t have to play records alone. Many come with multiple connection options that take streaming music to the next level.
Retro Record Players – Beats and Rhymes in Classic Time
Do Retro Turntables Play All Vinyl Records?
The answer is some do. Many retailers of vinyl records offer the 12-inch size which can be played at 33 RPM and can store up to 22 minutes of music on either side. Because of its larger memory capacity, most vinyl records you see will be in this size. The 10-inch records and 7-inch records have been fairly popular since the 50s and can be played on certain turntables as long as the correct needle is used and the RPM is adjusted.
Manual vs. Automatic?
While it may sound like the clutch is needed in this scenario, switching between manual and automatic has nothing to do with cars and everything to do with the arm of the retro record player. The manual versions require listeners to move the arm manually over the record along with placing the needle on the record and taking it off. The semi-automatic systems move the arm automatically, but the needle has to be placed manually. And automatic record players do all of it at the push of a button. Keep a steady hand while performing any of these tasks to minimize damaging the vinyl record.
Picking the Best Seat in the House
Where you place the retro turntable matters because it produces sound through vibrations. If there are external elements forcing additional sounds to come out of it, the music or record will sound distorted. It’s best to choose a sturdy location that won’t allow for a lot of interference when it’s time to play records.
Should I Digitize My Vinyl Collection?
While the idea of having a vinyl collection is great at heart, many things make it a true task of the heart. Caring for vinyl records doesn’t have to be tedious, but it must be done to preserve the quality of the music inscribed onto the disc. The bonus is that with today’s technology, buying the vinyl copy of a record doesn’t have to be the end all be all for that album. Many records come with a code or link to download the MP3 version and there are software programs that can connect to modern retro record players and rip the music into a digital file.
Today we are going to review the following retro record players (In no particluar order):
- D&L Vinyl Record Player
- Victrola VTA-600B-ESP Navigator
- Victrola 50's Retro 3-Speed Bluetooth Turntable
- ION Audio Ford LP-4-in-1 Classic Car Styled
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- Crosley CR8017A-WB Voyager Vintage Portable Turntable
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- Lauson YT578 Vinyl Record Player with Speaker
- White Vintage Classic Home Decoration Retro Antique
- U-Turn Audio - Orbit Plus Turntable With Built-In Preamp
- 1byone Nostalgic Wooden Turntable
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Top 12 Coolest Retro Turntables
1. D&L Vinyl Record Player
- Bluetooth Enabled
- 3-Speed Turntable
- Multifunctional
The D&L Vinyl Record Player lets music lovers bring home a classic look with its wood veneer, but elevates its functionality to cater to the tech savvy user. The option to play speeds of 33 RPM, 45 RPM, and 78 RPM allow for the three most popular sized vinyl records to be played on this retro record player.
Collectors aren’t limited to playing music from vinyl either. The multifunctioning turntable can play music from any Bluetooth device, through the FM radio, a USB flash drive, and SD Card. There’s also a headphone jack and an auxiliary-in jack to connect devices that aren’t equipped with Bluetooth. There’s also an RCA aux-in jack to connect the system to larger speakers and surround sound systems.
2. Victrola VTA-600B-ESP Navigator
- Bluetooth compatible
- USB and Software recording
- RCA output and headphone jack
The Victrola VTA-600B-ESP Navigator is classically designed with that vintage look of antique wood but enhanced with a modern-day sound. The retro record player offers an advanced feature of recording vinyl records directly to a USB drive or to the computer via new software offered at the time of purchase.
Not only will listeners have the option to digitize their collection, but they can also stream the music stored on their devices, connecting to the Navigator through Bluetooth or an aux-in jack. There’s an FM radio feature equipped with analog knob turners to round of the retro glam appeal and it comes with a remote.
3. Victrola 50's Retro 3-Speed Bluetooth Turntable
- AM & FM Backlit Tuner
- Stream Music Wirelessly
- Built-in CD Player
Victrola takes it back to sock-hops and milkshakes with this 50s inspired turntable. Its sleek design is reminiscent of Ford Thunderbirds and whitewall tires. Outside of its look the retro player offers up a ton of features that bring it into this millennium with a built-in CD player, for those who still have them, and Bluetooth compatibility to stream from mobile devices.
The player is capable of playing 12-inch, 10-inch, and 7-inch vinyl records as well as recording them from the player into digital format with the use of an included software program.
4. ION Audio Ford LP-4-in-1 Classic Car Styled
- Sensitive FM Tuner
- USB recording
- Built-in Speakers and headphone jack
As an officially licensed Ford product, the ION Classic Car Styled Music Center comes in that classic cherry red Ford Mustang candy paint coated finish. The design brings a pop of color and fun into any area as well as the ability to tune into the radio which looks like the speedometer of the classic muscle car.
USB recording can take your albums from vinyl to MP3 in minutes, while also giving music lovers the option to play multiple sized records.
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- Wireless Connection capability
- Built-in CD player
- Real wood construction
This vintage player elevates the look of any entertainment system without slacking on the quality or features that keep it competitive with mobile devices we’re used to today. The 4 full range speaker offer high fidelity audio for a crisp and pure sound which can also be delivered through a headphone jack.
The wireless feature allows for devices to stream music to the retro turntable but also allows for multiple sized records to played as well. The polishing touch isn’t the wooden finish, while exquisitely detailed, it’s able to take an antique-inspired look and morph into a modern device that allows a vinyl to be ripped into a digital file.
6. Crosley CR8017A-WB Voyager Vintage Portable Turntable
- Adjustable pitch control
- Portable record player
- Built-in Bluetooth receiver
Crosley takes a vintage look on the road with this portable record player that’s able to connect to just about any speaker system via Bluetooth, RCA output jacks, or headphones. While it may be difficult to put the 3-speed vinyl record player under an arm and take it for a spin like a Walkman, it carries light and is adaptable to most environments.
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- 3-Speed vinyl record player
- Built-in Speakers
- FM radio with analog tuner
A classic color scheme brings this vintage record player to life with its gold accents to complement its wooden frame and black speaker finish. The sleek design is also functional with a wireless connection being able to stream music from 33 feet away.
There’s an RCA output jack as well to connect additional speakers and if nothing in your music library suits your fancy, give the FM tuner a spin to see what station plays the best. The dial even has an LED back light to illuminate it as listeners spin for tunes.
8. Lauson YT578 Vinyl Record Player with Speaker
- Portable Compact Design
- 3-speed record player
- Wireless playback
This vintage modern look of the Lauson YT578 is easy on the eyes and easy to carry around. The case folds closed to protect it during transit. The other bonus to this portable retro record player is the removable legs that are included. From outside at an event amongst friends to the privacy of in-home enjoyment, this player can travel for all needs and connect wirelessly to stream music from Bluetooth capable devices.
9. White Vintage Classic Home Decoration Retro Antique
- USB Connectivity
- Bluetooth Capable
- 3 sizes, 2-speed vinyl record player
- FM Radio
This vintage retro record player delivers a hit of feminine style with its ornate, golden gramophone aesthetic and white aluminum alloy base. Music can be played across several functions of this particular retro turntable that comes with a 10W silk treble speaker on the top, a base speaker on the bottom, and two full range stereo speakers on the left and right. It may be small compared to other record players, but the speakers pack an elegant punch.
10. U-Turn Audio - Orbit Plus Turntable with built-in preamp
- Built in Pluto preamp that connects directly to powered speakers or amplifer
- High performance turntable
- Easy set up
This is a fantastic turntable. While it holds the essence of an old school record player it comes with modern technology for premium sound. Listeners are able to get more out of their records. With improved speed stability you’ll experience a much more lifelike tonality and more powerful bass.
When it comes to design and functionality, this retro turntable comes with a very clean retro look. With a low resonance acrylic platter, two-speed belt drive system, and an Ortofon OM5E Cartridge you’ll be able to listen to your records more often and for many years to come.
11. 1byone Nostalgic Wooden Turntable
- LCD display with clock
- USB Reader
- Aux-in Jack
This 1byone retro turntable does not disappoint with it multifunctionality. Imagine having a piece of musical device history built into one player. It plays cassette tapes! Cassette tapes are turning into collectors’ items like vinyl records, but the record player also plays CDs and can stream music digitally. The vintage wooden look with gold radio tuner is a signature look of an era gone by, but with a flair for today.
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- Vinyl to MP3
- Auto Stop Feature
- RCA output
Simplicity is key in this 3-speed record player that only plays records. There aren’t any input jacks or wireless connectivity options, but there is an included USB cable and software programs that lets users rip their records into a digital file format. It also carries an auto-stop feature that stops the needle and records from being ruined should time slip away from the listener controlling the player.
