Turntables & Record Players
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Bring Home Authentic Sound with a Turntable or Record Player
At Sweetwater, we’re thrilled to live in an era of digital music distribution. But we’ll be the first to admit: there’s something about the sensory experience of vinyl that today’s streaming options can’t touch. The crinkle of the shrink wrap. The faint aroma of paper, ink, and wax. The soft static before the needle finds its groove. Not to mention the hours most listeners spend analyzing the songs and liner notes. With vinyl, you don’t just hear your audio; you participate in it.
That’s why we’re proud to offer a curated collection of turntables and record players with classic style and modern features to help bring your home audio library to life. Whether you’re new to vinyl or rekindling your hi-fi passion, you’ll find the perfect player to make every spin special at Sweetwater. Use our shop filters to explore your options, or read on for answers to help you get started on your vinyl journey.
Turntable & Record Player FAQs: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started
Ready to start enjoying your treasured favorites as the artists intended: rich, real, and in living color? Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about turntables and record players, covering setup basics and feature differences, so you can shop with confidence and create the perfect at-home vinyl listening experience.
Can you use a record player as a turntable?
Yes, you can use a record player much like a turntable, but they’re built for slightly different purposes. A record player is an all-in-one system for plug-and-play vinyl listening, typically with a built-in turntable mechanism, preamp, amplifier, and speakers. A turntable, by contrast, is a standalone component. It spins the record and reads the grooves with a cartridge, but needs external gear — a phono preamp, amplifier, and speakers — to produce audible sound.
If you already own a hi-fi setup or want upgrade flexibility and higher fidelity, a separate turntable usually offers the better path. For casual listening or small spaces, an integrated record player might be the more practical option.
Is a record player sometimes called a turntable?
The two terms are often used interchangeably in some circles, but they aren’t identical. A turntable refers strictly to the mechanism comprised of the platter, tonearm, and cartridge that play a vinyl record. A record player includes that same mechanism plus the electronics and speakers needed to amplify the sound.
Can a turntable play vinyl records?
Absolutely. In fact, turntables are designed specifically with vinyl records in mind. When the stylus (needle) tracks a record’s groove, the cartridge converts those tiny vibrations into an electrical signal. That signal must pass through a phono preamp (which boosts the level and applies the RIAA equalization curve) to reach line-level before it goes to your amplifier or powered speakers.
Many modern turntables include a built-in phono preamp or a switch that lets you choose between phono and line output. Most models support 33⅓ RPM LPs and 45 RPM singles, and some offer 78 RPM capability with a suitable stylus for vintage records.
What’s the difference between a turntable and a record player?
The main difference between a turntable and a record player is how each fits into your audio setup. A turntable is a standalone component that spins the vinyl record and reads its grooves using a stylus and cartridge. By itself, it doesn’t produce sound; the low-level signal has to pass through a phono preamp, then an amplifier, and finally to speakers (or powered speakers) to be heard. A record player, on the other hand, is an all-in-one system that already includes a turntable mechanism along with a preamp, amplifier, and speakers. Think of it as a self-contained record-playing solution that doesn’t require extra gear.
If you’re starting a dedicated home audio or DJ setup, a turntable offers more flexibility and sound potential. If you simply want an easy way to enjoy vinyl, a record player makes setup effortless.
