It will probably surprise very few people that the annual Record Store Day is now considered the world’s largest music event. On Record Store Day, especially high-quality and rare music releases and specials are offered worldwide and simultaneously. In this article, we inform you about turntable technology and ways to connect a turntable to a Teufel system, so that you are well prepared for the vinyl wave.
About Record Store Day
Record Store Day is a day dedicated to small, independent record stores. Its goal is to bring music buyers back to specialist retailers and help prevent them from disappearing. To this end, exclusive releases have been issued since 2008 on the third Saturday in April – mostly on vinyl – which are only available on that day at participating stores. These are exclusively shops that are independent from major retail chains. Online sales are also excluded from these offers.
The worldwide Record Store Day has also contributed to the renaissance of vinyl records. In particular, a young generation of audiophiles is discovering the appeal of vinyl sound and learning to appreciate music in a new way again. The vinyl trend can be seen as a counter-movement to the mass availability of digital music in electronics stores, download shops, and music streaming services. However, the different options can of course also be used in parallel. For many, a new turntable simply means an expansion of the ways they can listen to music.
Thinking about a new turntable? Here’s what you should pay attention to
Both old and new vinyl fans swear by the sound of grooved records. When these are played on a high-quality turntable through an equally high-quality system, many music lovers believe this comes very close to the perfect HiFi experience.
That’s exactly why turntables are currently more in demand than they have been in a long time. And enjoying them doesn’t have to be expensive – you can already find new turntables at very affordable prices. However, be careful: many very cheap models are not necessarily capable of delivering the best possible sound quality.
If you really want to benefit from the quality of vinyl records, you should be prepared to invest a bit more. HiFi-capable turntables can easily cost several hundred euros. As in any other area of the HiFi world, there is virtually no upper limit. The most expensive models can even reach six-figure prices. In the following video, you can see how such a high-end turntable is crafted by hand:
The cartridge: MC or MM?
What matters when choosing a good turntable? One of the most important components of a vinyl player is the “needle,” technically known as the cartridge. Turntables mainly use two different cartridge systems:
The MM system works with magnets, hence the name: “Moving Magnet”. It is mainly found in entry-level and mid-range turntables and is the more straightforward way to listen to vinyl. MM systems deliver a relatively high output voltage and can therefore be used with almost any amplifier that has a phono input. The replaceable stylus assemblies of MM systems make them flexible, but the highest level of precision can only be achieved with the fixed stylus assemblies of the MC system.
MC stands for “Moving Coil”. Turntables with an MC system are generally more expensive than those with an MM system. They also provide a very low output voltage and therefore place relatively high demands on the amplifier. For this reason, an additional phono preamplifier is often required, also known as a phono stage or phono amplifier. Compared to MM systems, MC systems are less susceptible to interference. Many hi-fi enthusiasts also attribute better sound quality to them – but as so often, opinions differ on this.
In general, it can be said that MM systems are usually more straightforward and affordable, while MC systems are more expensive and often also higher in quality. The Ortofon 2M RedOpens in new tab cartridge available in the Teufel shop belongs to the first category and can be easily fitted to most standard turntables.
Opens in new tabBelt drive vs. direct drive
In order for the records to spin, the platter must be driven by a motor. As the name suggests, a belt drive transmits the rotation using a belt. This means it does not need to be mounted directly under the platter like a direct drive system and can, in theory, be placed anywhere. The rubber belt also prevents any motor noise from being transmitted. Due to its smooth operation and the resulting good sound quality, belt drive systems are ideal for home use. However, the belt needs to be replaced every few years.
However, this drive system is not suitable for professional use of turntables. DJs have traditionally relied on direct drive systems. These allow manual platter movements (e.g. for “scratching”) without the belt slipping or even breaking. In addition, direct drive turntables start up faster, which is essential for DJ use. If a record runs too slowly or too fast, a direct drive system also allows the speed to be adjusted continuously. This is important when a DJ wants to create a seamless transition between two tracks.
Expand your stereo systems with a turntable
Of course, whether old or new vinyl treasures can truly shine depends not only on a good turntable, but also on a suitably high-quality hi-fi system to deliver the best possible sound. Teufel’s popular all-in-one stereo systems deliver powerful sound and offer plenty of inputs for external sources, including turntables. Thanks to the built-in phono preamplifier in the DUAL DT 250 USBOpens in new tab, the connection can be made directly and without detours via an RCA cable. Depending on the desired performance and feature set, suitable systems for an existing or future turntable include the ULTIMA 20 KOMBO 2Opens in new tab for smaller rooms or the ULTIMA 40 KOMBO 3Opens in new tab for larger spaces. For a more powerful solution, Teufel offers the THEATER 500 KOMBO 2Opens in new tab, a high-performance system that even includes a dedicated vinyl input.
Teufel all-in-one stereo systems
ULTIMA 25 ACTIVE Club Edition
749,99 €
ULTIMA 20 KOMBO 3 SE
649,99 €
ULTIMA 40 + DENON DRA-900H
1029,99 €Teufel streaming with vinyl and multiroom
If you’ve experienced Teufel streaming before, you might be wondering what this has to do with vinyl records. What does the innovative Wi-Fi streaming system, controlled via a smartphone app, have in common with vinyl records? The answer is the ability to deliver the best possible sound. At first glance, these two worlds may seem incompatible, but that is only the case on the surface. Teufel streaming is based on Wi-Fi transmission, but every Teufel streaming device with a stereo RCA input provides the necessary interface to connect the analog and digital worlds. This is the case, for example, with our STEREO M 2Opens in new tab.
Opens in new tabWhen a turntable is connected, the audio signal is played through the streaming speakers. What’s more, the signal fed in via Line-In is digitized by the built-in digital-to-analogue converter and can then be streamed to other rooms via the controller app. This means you can enjoy your vinyl collection throughout your home – in other words, vinyl in the multiroom era.
Turntables and accessories from Teufel
Opens in new tab▶ DUAL DT 250 USBOpens in new tab: High-quality MM cartridge from Audio-Technica, S-shaped high-end tonearm, and an integrated phono preamplifier (switchable) – this belt-driven beauty leaves nothing to be desired for vinyl lovers. Via the USB output, you can also easily digitise your records.
▶ Pioneer DJ PLX-500Opens in new tab: This high-quality DJ turntable with direct drive and a 3-phase DC motor also features a practical USB connection. The stable platter is made of die-cast aluminium.
▶ SlipmatOpens in new tab: With the stylish Teufel slipmat, you can show everyone where your great sound comes from as soon as you start playing your vinyl records.
More products in the Teufel shop
Conclusion: turntables make analog hearts beat faster
- Record Store Day – a day for independent record stores – has been held since 2008 and aims to bring music buyers back to specialist retailers.
- Vinyl renaissance: records and turntables are currently in higher demand than they have been for a long time.
- Turntables are generally divided into two cartridge systems: the MM system and the MC system.
- Likewise, there are two drive types: belt drive and direct drive.
- Teufel offers various stereo systems that can be connected to turntables. Every Teufel streaming device features a stereo RCA input, providing a practical analogue-to-digital interface.
- Image 2: © by Knipsermann (33 U/min) [CC BY 2.0 de], via Wikimedia Commons
