Fenton RP115 Briefcase Record Player with Bluetooth
This modern-retro budget vinyl player comes in the ever-popular briefcase-style design, with a tough wooden construction that is covered in textured leather-look vinyl with complimenting chromed hardware.
For a cheap vinyl player, the RP115 offers a superb set of features, with 3-speed playback of 7”, 10”, and 12” vinyl records from its high-quality belt drive mechanism. The tonearm has a useful auto-stop feature and comes with a ceramic cartridge which gives great sound and long life, and the player has built-in stereo speakers with adjustable volume level.
One of our best vinyl player choices for a low-cost turntable, the inclusion of Bluetooth allows for streaming audio from any BT-enabled device and the line input and output means easy connection to HiFi systems and wired source devices. The player also features a USB-to-PC recording facility with software included to easily transfer your vinyl to MP3.
Along with the striking Sky Blue appearance of this cheap vinyl player, the RP115 is available in 5 other eye-catching finish options including Creme, Black, Tan Brown, White, and a Dark Wood Grain effect.
Key Features
- Stylish briefcase-style vinyl record player
- Bluetooth wireless audio streaming from phones and tablets
- Built-in stereo speakers and headphone connection
- USB to PC encoding with included software (convert vinyl to MP3)
- Line output for connection to HiFi systems
Pros
- Portable design allows for total freedom of placement, only requiring power to operate
- Bluetooth connection for streaming music from your portable devices
- USB to PC link with conversion software for making MP3 versions of your vinyl
Cons
- Built-in speakers may not be loud enough for larger rooms
Fenton RP168 Record Player with Speakers & Bluetooth
Offering modern features with a classic wood grain finish the Fenton RP168 is a fantastic budget vinyl player for the home. Its belt-driven platter has 3 speeds for playing back all of your favourite vinyl records.
This cheap vinyl player has everything you need for analogue and digital audio playback, with built-in Bluetooth connectivity for wireless streaming from your mobile devices and a high-quality ceramic cartridge to ensure great performance from your vinyl records. Its USB output allows you to connect to a PC and use the included software to transfer your records to MP3.
The RP168 system comes in both a light and dark wood finish and its matching stereo speakers have been designed to fit together as a base for the record player or be used spread apart like a traditional HiFi depending on your preference. The speakers produce a full-range detailed sound and are powered by an amplifier conveniently built into the turntable.
Perfect for existing vinyl fans or new collectors, this auto-stop turntable offers great value and stylish real-wood aesthetics along with easy-to-use controls and excellent stereo performance.
Key Features
- Vinyl record player with built-in amplifier and a set of matching stereo speakers
- USB-to-PC connection with encoding software for converting vinyl recordings to MP3
- Bluetooth receiver for wireless streaming of audio from your mobile devices
- 3-speed turntable with belt-driven platter and adapter for vintage 45 rpm singles
- Grained wood veneer finish with hinged smoked acrylic dust lid
Pros
- Separate stereo speakers provide an engaging listening experience
- Wood grain finish blends seamlessly into any home decor
- Easy connection to a PC for transferring your old vinyl records to MP3
Cons
- No line output for connection to an existing HiFi
Fenton RP162 Record Player with Bluetooth Output
A bestseller since its release, the Fenton RP162 range is one of the best vinyl player turntables you will find, with its smart modern looks and feature-laden design meaning it should be high on your list of record player systems.
Unique to the RP162 is its ability to transmit its output over Bluetooth, allowing you to listen with wireless headphones or connect to Bluetooth active speakers for a cable-free experience. This is joined with Bluetooth reception for wireless streaming of your favourite digital playlists from a smartphone or tablet.
The solid wooden top and bottom sections of this budget vinyl player contrast with its cloth-covered mid-section which houses the stereo speakers, and its full-sized dust cover can be lowered during playback while also keeping the player in good condition when not in use. It's available in this lightwood finish, a darker walnut finish, and a visually striking completely white version.
A full complement of aux input, line output, USB out, headphone jack and MP3 player make this record player extremely versatile, whether it's used on its own with the inbuilt speakers, or is hooked up to an existing HiFi for playback through a larger system.
Key Features
- Bluetooth transmission for sending audio to wireless headphones and speakers
- USB for MP3 file playback and onboard vinyl-to-MP3 digital conversion
- Pitch control for manual increase/decrease of the speed above the presets
- Built-in amplifier and stereo speakers with headphone jack for private listening
- Adjustable tonearm counterweight with auto-stop and Audio Technica cartridge
Pros
- Bluetooth transmission for cable free connection to any Bluetooth equipped device
- Adjustable pitch control for fine adjustment of vinyl playback speed
- Line output for connecting to HiFi systems or active speakers
Cons
- Physically larger than some other record players
Fenton Nashville Retro Record Player with CD, Bluetooth & DAB+
The Fenton Nashville record player harks back to the classic radiograms of the 40s and 50s with its imposing wooden cabinet and dark grain finish, yet brings you all the desirable audio playback options of a modern stereo system.
This fantastic music system offers the best of old and new audio formats, with its speed selectable record player bringing you playback of 7”, 10”, and 12” vinyl with a convenient auto-stop function and high-quality Audio Technica stylus.
A classic tray-loading CD player lets you listen to all your CD albums, while the system can also play MP3 files from its USB input. Its FM radio gives you easy access to your favourite stations while the digital DAB+ tuner opens up thousands of specialist radio channels to enjoy.
The Nashville has great-sounding stereo speakers built-in with plenty of power for home use, while a headphone jack allows for private listening. Its line input allows for a cabled connection of additional audio devices, and an RCA output means you can connect the system to an existing Hi-Fi or active speaker set.
Key Features
- Vintage radiogram style record player with dark wood grain cabinet
- DAB+ and FM radio reception with LCD information display screen
- CD player and USB MP3 file playback
- Built-in stereo speakers with RCA line output for connection to existing stereo systems
- Bluetooth receiver for listening to audio from phones and tablets
Pros
- DAB+ radio for high-quality broadcast reception and a huge selection of digital stations
- CD player with track program feature for enjoying your CD collection
- High-quality stereo sound built-in with the option to connect to a HiFi
Cons
- Vintage styling will not suit everyone
Audizio RP315 Vintage Record Player
The Audizio RP315 record player system is a unique retro design, styled like a 50s vanity case or fitted luggage and looking fabulous in its 2-tone leather finish. It offers playback of 33 and 45 records in 7”, 10”, and 12” formats and is a great portable option with its built-in speakers and wireless Bluetooth connectivity.
Unusual for a vinyl record player of this cost, the RP315 features a Hi-Fi style S-shaped metal tonearm with rear counterweight and slotted headshell. The arm comes fitted with a superb Audio Technica AT-3600L moving magnet cartridge with diamond stylus for a rich and detailed sound from new and old vinyl recordings.
Simple to use with 3 rotary controls, this portable record player has a set of full-range stereo speakers and amplifier built-in, allowing it to be enjoyed anywhere without additional equipment. It also provides a line output should you wish to connect it to an existing home Hi-Fi system.
Giving you the best of old and new, the RP315 has the latest Bluetooth 5.0 which makes it a superb portable Bluetooth speaker system for streaming your favourite playlist from a smartphone or tablet. With its eye-catching design and features, this high-quality vinyl record player audio system is perfect for living rooms and bedrooms.
Key Features
- Stylish fitted luggage design case with two colour leather finish
- Professional S-shaped tonearm with auto-stop and lever lift
- Audio Technica AT-3600L cartridge and diamond stylus
- 12v external power supply removes unwanted mains noise
- Bluetooth receiver for streaming music from phones and tablets
Pros
- Hi-Fi quality AT-3600L Audio Technica moving magnet cartridge and stylus
- Bluetooth connection for audio streaming from portable devices
- Portable design with a beautiful leather finished wooden case
Cons
- Case has no carry handle
Summary
So much variety from 5 products! With the market for vinyl record players offering so many different designs, it can be quite confusing to choose one that will have everything you want, which is why we picked these particular players as we feel they represent a good spread of costs versus features.
The ever-popular briefcase design was always going to have a spot on the list, as its this style that really pushed the vinyl resurgence that's happened in the last few years, with its retro appeal and portability making them a huge hit with anyone new to vinyl collecting.
These have since been joined with players aimed at home users, with fun vintage styling and the inclusion of extra playback options such as built-in CD players and DAB+ tuners which turn these systems from being just a record player into a complete home audio system.
All 5 of these budget vinyl players have the convenience of built-in stereo speakers and amplifiers which makes them completely independent of any Hi-Fi system, while several also have line outputs to allow them to be used with a larger speaker system, which is great for parties and gatherings where the internal speakers of the record players may not have quite the volume level required.
Whichever system catches your eye, you can be sure of an enjoyable experience from any of these 5 budget vinyl players, or any of the other record player designs we stock. All will put a smile on your face with their retro or modern styling, and will allow you to enjoy your vinyl records and digital music in high quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a vinyl player called?
The original name was a phonograph machine which used wax coated cylinders, which then became the gramophone once the transition was made to using flat discs. The term record player arrived in the 1940’s and has been used ever since. ‘Vinyl player’ isnt an official name, but obviously is just short for ‘player of vinyl records’. The most widely accepted name for these devices is record player.
Does vinyl sound better?
Well vinyl lovers will certainly say it does! The main difference that's most regularly stated is that vinyl recordings have a much more natural sound, warmer and richer, with a more apparent acoustic depth. What most are trying to describe is that a good vinyl recording can sound like you’re listening to live musicians.
Though they have increased sound levels, less or zero noise, and the obvious physical advantage, digital recordings and the way they are decoded for playback can sound sterile and compressed in comparison.
Is it worth getting into vinyl?
If you like collecting and enjoy your music to be a tactile experience rather than just a download on a screen, vinyl records will quickly become a hobby/obsession. Unique coloured vinyl releases and beautiful fold out album covers make vinyl records well worth getting into.
Why do vinyls crackle?
Firstly and most importantly, the plural of vinyl is vinyl. Secondly, vinyl records will often make little noises which can be pops or crackles. This is a mix of dust and dirt in the record grooves, fluff and dirt on the stylus tip, and a build up static. The use of dust covers on players if fitted and regular cleaning of vinyl and stylus will greatly reduce its occurrence.
Is it OK to touch a vinyl record?
Contrary to popular belief a vinyl record will not melt or explode if touched. When you get used to handling vinyl it becomes second nature to only hold the outer edges, but the occasional finger or thumb print is inevitable, and it's fine! Oil and grease from fingers isn't what you want on your records, but can be easily cleaned off with a soft cloth or vinyl cleaning fluid.
Does vinyl work on any record player?
The wide answer is yes, any vinyl record will play on any record player. Vinyl records are recorded to playback at either 33rpm or 45rpm depending on the number of tracks they contain. All record players will have the option for these two speeds.
The oddity comes from units with 3-speed settings, which includes a much higher 78 rpm mode. This was only used on very early recordings from pre-1950s and the pressings had limited play time due to the speed and size, with wider grooves also ideally requiring a suitable wider stylus.
3-speed playback is included on most modern record players but it's highly unlikely you will ever use the 78 rpm setting.
What’s the difference between a turntable and a record player?
The terms have pretty much become interchangeable over the years, especially by non-enthusiasts. Technically though it’s a fairly simple difference, with a turntable being purely a platter and tonearm system, and requiring a pre-amplifier unit and amplifier system to operate.
A record player on the other hand will have a built-in preamp system allowing it to connect to any standard line level input on Hi-Fi equipment, and in the case of portable record players will also have built-in speakers and amplifiers.
Do you need speakers for a turntable?
Turntables will require either an amplifier and speakers or active speakers to work. Portable record players will often have a small amplifier and stereo speakers built-in, and can also be connected to larger sound systems if required.
Why is vinyl popular again?
For vinyl enthusiasts it never went away, but its huge comeback in the last few years has been in direct opposition to the digital music uptake that arrived with MP3 and the iPod generation. Unlike the singular track purchases and constantly random playlists, a vinyl album requires you to listen to an entire album as it was intended. It's an experience, mixed in with a tactile, physical format that just adds an extra bit of enjoyment to the process.
Vinyl is making a comeback
Vinyl records and record players have been in our homes since the 1950s (even earlier if you count gramophones) and unlike any other recording format, has stayed popular with both the consumer and recording artists despite being superseded in technology and format capabilities.
So what actually is a vinyl record?
The technical term is phonographic recording, which was a Thomas Edison invention in the late 1870s and originally used rotating cylinders, which evolved into the gramophone and a flat disc on a spinning motor system.
These flat discs offered a way of storing sound by way of an engraved groove in the surface which is a physical realisation of the sound vibrations (the waveform). Under a microscope it resembles a mountain range of peaks and valleys. Originally made from either shellac or nitrocellulose, records were very delicate and also deteriorated significantly with each playback.
The big change came in the 1940s with the invention of polyvinyl chloride (PVC plastic) which was cheap to manufacture and hardwearing, being a perfect replacement for the softer materials. This was also where the name vinyl came from, and they have remained the same to this day.
The switch to PVC also allowed for mass-production techniques which included the huge benefit of records being pressed instead of engraved (the actual term is cut) which ensured consistency of quality and completely transformed the time involved in the process.
Vinyl was the standard way of owning and enjoying music all the way from the 1940s through to the late 1980s when the new Compact Disc digital format was introduced and quickly became the new standard due to its smaller physical size and high sound quality.
For the love of vinyl
Uniquely though for a ‘technically obsolete’ product, the huge popularity of vinyl and record players, especially with collectors and Hi-Fi enthusiasts, meant that it just never died away completely, with sales of vinyl trickling along enough that labels were still happy to release albums on the format alongside the newer digital versions.
Interestingly the mainstream swap to CDs was mostly ignored in the nightclubs and DJ community, where the famous Technics SL1210 turntables were in no danger of being replaced any time soon as the hands-on nature of track cueing and techniques such as scratching were only possible on vinyl (at that time).
Vinyl culture
Vinyl records took two paths in the 70s through to the 90s, with mainstream record releases being available in high street music shops (HMV, Our Price, etc) with 12” albums, 12” singles, and the smaller 7” singles following the UK national radio charts.
On the other side were the specialist record shops. The ones for DJs and enthusiasts of specific genres, with many of these shops going on to become iconic in their own right, especially the ones that were based in city centers and serving up the popular club and pirate radio DJs of the time.
Record stores were a huge cultural influence point, with the ritual of Saturday shopping for the newest dubplates and white label limited releases from independent labels being a huge part of the music scene, especially with electronic dance music with its many offshoots such as House and Drum & Bass, where many of the music producers and creators were paying for the vinyl pressings themselves, which meant limited numbers available to each shop.
Back to the beginning
As with all things, eventually, the technology of CD players edged its way into clubs and DJs' lives, with specialist players offering all the tricks most DJs would ever need with none of the downsides of vinyl. No easy damage, no heavy crates of records to transport and store, and the added benefits of things like remaining track time visualised on a screen and instant cue points pretty much saw the end of vinyl use in professional settings.
So in the years following the digital revolution, vinyl became the format of culture, being sought out and championed by Hi-Fi enthusiasts for its natural dynamics and uncompressed soundstage, and being loved by home DJs and collectors who just love its physical ‘hands-on’ nature and thrive on chasing down those sought after pressings.
Now and Forever
With the recent resurgence of major labels releasing high-profile albums and back catalogues on vinyl, and the huge popularity of newly designed portable record players with younger music fans, vinyl has incredibly gained an entirely new generation of fans that have come to it out of curiosity and stayed for its magic.
And so, once again, it would appear that vinyl really is the recording format that will live forever.
