As you know, in any more or less large settlement of our vast country there is a sufficient number of citizens breathing unevenly to the works of musical art. Some of these lovers are adherents of a particular genre, while others prefer diversity. If only the music corresponded to a certain level of quality, and also harmonized with the temperament of a person.
Someone prefers to listen to music alone and not share their addiction with strangers. Someone has friends with this interest, with whom you can have a good time discussing the new album of your favorite artist. Someone even considers himself to be representatives of some kind of musical subculture (punks, metallers, rappers, etc.). Someone likes to attend live performances of performers, and someone likes to listen to music in the recording more ...
For those who care
Here we come to a very interesting question ... Record lovers are divided into those who are indifferent to the sound quality - if only playing, and those who are used to listening to music in high quality. The former may be satisfied by listening to online recordings exposed on various social networks through ordinary low-power computer speakers. The second important elements of this process, such as recording resolution, bit rate, high-quality audio equipment. Well, the most sophisticated music lovers have equipment for listening to music on analogue media or, in any case, dream of such. A special term has even appeared on the Internet, denoting a music lover, a lover of quality sound - an audiophile.
Everyone had a gramophone ...
Speaking of analog sound, it is impossible to ignore a device such as a turntable. Which vinyl player is better? This question is posed by many audiophiles, faced with a great many proposals that are full of the Internet. Let's understand this difficult issue and try to choose the best vinyl players from the numerous products of various brands.
Along with modern turntables, of which a huge number of companies are now producing, second-hand Soviet-made devices are also for sale. We will begin our review with them.
The old horse will not spoil the furrow
The topic of the best Soviet vinyl players is dedicated to a number of Internet resources: sites, forums, communities on social networks. In a word, there is no shortage of such information. However, the endless debate about the championship among the best vinyl players of the USSR has been going on for many years.
Participants of specialized forums explain their interest in antique technology approximately like this: these devices were created by Soviet engineers in order to obtain a unique sound, some samples were made really soundly and with a small upgrade can overtake and even surpass their western competitors.
The overwhelming majority of vinyl connoisseurs give first place to Elektronika electric players, namely, the Electronics B1-01 model and its modifications B1-011, B1-04, created in the 1960s by a group of engineers of the Georgian SSR and manufactured by Thorens.
"Electronics B1-01"
The advantages of these models include:
- strong case from wood;
- excellent SME tonearm and anti-skating performance;
- aluminum control panel;
- strict design;
- reliability of the disk and shell.
Specifications:
- the device operates on a belt drive;
- disk - zinc, cast;
- low speed engine;
- the chassis, tonearm and disk bearing perform their functions perfectly;
- bending vibrations are minimized by means of a cast upper panel;
The durable tonearm is a metal tube of impressive dimensions. This model, of course, has some drawbacks, but with the correct settings and minor modifications, you get a great player. Here is a list of actions that are recommended to be performed after the purchase of the "Electronics B1-01" device. To prevent the disk rotation from failing:
- polish the axis surface;
- leave the disk static and motionless;
- sand the belt;
- under the rubber mat that comes with this device, you need to place a woolen circle.
Electronics-012
When reviewing the best vinyl disc players, you should pay attention to the Electronics-012 model.
This unit is able to please your hearing with precision and power of reproduced sound. Here are some of the innovations that manufacturers have endowed with devices of this type:
- uses a new, improved circuit hitchhiking and generator;
- spectacular product design;
- more convenient and durable controls.
"Electronics EP-017"
Its well-deserved place in the list of the best vinyl players of the Soviet Union is rightfully occupied by the electric player "Electronics EP-017".
The designers endowed this model with an excellent tonearm, the movement of which is ensured by an electric motor operating on the principle of feedback.
Provided with a high-class mount, the travel of the tonearm is surprisingly free and can be verified by moving it manually. With such manipulations, the effect of hovering the tonearm above the player’s case is created. Easily reproduced plates with defects (curvature, scratches), which are "too tough" to many other electric players. The model is endowed with direct drive, which, of course, is the indisputable advantage of the apparatus under consideration.
As we can see, among the high-end players produced under the brand name "Electronics", there are many worthy models. Some of them with dignity endured many years of intensive operation. With easy refinement at home (the possibility of such an upgrade was kindly provided by wise developers), any of these models becomes competitive in the audio market.
Other Soviet players
The Aria-102 player is also noteworthy. The external data of this device is quite spectacular - the case, made in silver-black, looks quite modern. Technical advantages include a direct drive of impressive dimensions, easily adjustable, the surface of which sometimes needs to be leveled. All keys are pressed with a light touch. The device is equipped with a strobe. Hitchhiking works flawlessly. "Aria-102" fully meets the needs of lovers of retro technology.
The “Estonia EP-010C” apparatus, which is one of the best vinyl record players in the USSR, is also worth mentioning. Without exaggeration, this model can be called a miracle of technology and engineering, since the process of listening to music here is fully automated and is similar to listening to music on a CD player: the device is equipped with composition switching keys. Recognition of the location of the track on the plate is carried out using a photodiode located on the tonearm.
The last word of technology
From consideration of the significant milestones of electrical engineering of the past years, we will turn to the present and scroll through a number of web pages in order to identify the best vinyl players offered to us by current manufacturers. As you might guess, most of the technical innovations in the latest generation of players are associated with the presence in some of these devices the ability to connect to a computer (USB port). Many of the past achievements, as we will soon see, have been lost.
Internet sites are full of advertisements for the best vinyl players - from inexpensive to luxury models with fabulous prices. So let's start researching this area of modern technology. We suggest starting with the best budget vinyl players and moving up as you increase value.
Simple and tasteful
The best among economy-class players, many experts call the iON Vinyl Motion device
ICT09RS. This model is made in retro style for camping portable turntables of the first half of the 20th century. The device has the following specifications:
- direct metal swivel arm of medium dimensions;
- belt drive;
- electronic automatic gear shift;
- built-in speakers;
- headphone output;
- USB port
With its low weight (2.7 kg), this player has all the technical capabilities for high-quality playback of analog phonograms.
The next worthy player in the designated price range is the Sony PS-LX300USB. It has a more rigorous appearance, typical for players of the 80s, and has features such as a built-in phono stage, auto-stop, auto play, USB port (type B), and the ability to record to media.
Price quality
Now let's turn to the news, the cost of which is beyond the economy class, and pay attention to the representative of the best vinyl record players in the middle price category.
The Rega Queen electric player, whose design is clearly designed for an audience of fans of the famous British group, is indeed its compatriot. The device is equipped with a drive of impressive size. A special dustproof box is included in the package of delivery.
Well, at the end of our acquaintance with the best vinyl players, let me introduce you a titled person - the Avid HiFi Diva II SP LP player.
Without a doubt, this unit is designed only for those who are willing to pay significant amounts of money for the pleasure received from high-quality sound. Device Parameters:
- double belt drive;
- stainless steel bearing;
- futuristic design.
In a word - chic, shine, beauty! This is a true paradise for the sophisticated listener and connoisseur of fine arts.
A few words in the end
So our tour of the exhibition of the best vinyl record players of all time has come to an end. Of course, the list we presented to someone may not seem completely complete, and this someone will be right, because in the entire history of the production of players a lot of equipment has been released that deserves close attention. But, as they say, one cannot embrace the immense. Finally, I would like to wish all audiophiles and music lovers a pleasant listening to their favorite music. After all, music is an art that reflects our thoughts and feelings, forcing us to experience unique emotions.