Ordered on weekdays before 8:00 PM, shipped the same day

Free returns within 30 days

How do I choose a turntable?

The Turntable: Back from never being gone

Vinyl is making an impressive comeback. More and more music lovers are rediscovering the charm of records. In the Netherlands, a staggering 45 million euros were spent on vinyl last year — a growth of over 21%, according to NVPI.

But it's not just about the numbers. Listening to vinyl feels different. You take a record out of the sleeve, carefully place it on the turntable, and truly take the time for music. No skip button, no endless playlists — just attention and experience.

Want to start with vinyl yourself? It all begins with the right turntable. In this guide, we’ll help you get started.

Automatic, semi-automatic, or manual

  • Fully automatic turntables

    With a fully automatic turntable, you press start. The tonearm moves automatically to the record and the music begins. Is the record finished? Then the arm automatically returns to the rest position.

    Ideal if you want to enjoy without hassle.

    Automatic turntables

  • Semi-automatic turntables (with auto-stop)

    With a semi-automatic player, you manually place the tonearm on the record. At the end, the player stops automatically or the arm returns.

    A nice balance between ease of use and engagement.

    Turntables with auto-stop

  • Manual turntables

    With a manual turntable, you do everything yourself. You place the tonearm on the record and also take it off again. The player does not stop automatically. This gives you maximum control over playback.

    For many enthusiasts, this is part of the vinyl experience.

    Manual turntables


Why more expensive models are often manual

Many more expensive turntables are intentionally not automatic. There is a reason for that. Automatic systems contain extra parts, such as gears and motors. These can cause vibrations and affect the precision of the tonearm.

High-end models therefore opt for simplicity and stability. Fewer parts lead to fewer malfunctions and a more accurate playback.

Which option do you choose?

The first choice you make is not about technology, but about experience. It comes down to how you want to experience music.

  • Are you going for convenience? ⭢ Choose automatic or semi-automatic
  • Do you want maximum control and experience? ⭢ Go for manual

Think especially about how you listen: relaxing on the couch, or really sitting down for an album.

The Expertise line from Lenco

View all

Turntable and speakers

An important choice when buying a turntable is how you play the sound.

Some turntables have built-in speakers. Others connect to separate speakers. There are also models without speakers, intended for an existing audio system.

  • Turntable with built-in speakers

    A turntable with speakers is an all-in-one solution. You don't need any extra equipment.

    Advantages:

    • Ready to use right away
    • Ideal for beginners
    • Space-saving

    Disadvantages:

    • Less powerful sound
    • Less expandable

  • Turntable with separate speakers

    Do you want better sound quality? Then choose a turntable with external speakers.


    Benefits:

    • Better sound (more detail and bass)
    • Flexible to expand
    • Suitable for larger spaces

  • Turntables without speakers

    Do you already have an amplifier or hi-fi system? Then a turntable without speakers is the best choice.

    Advantages:

    • Best sound quality
    • Complete control over your setup

Which sound setup is the best choice?

  • Quick and easy → built-in speakers
  • More experience → separate speakers
  • Ultimate quality → existing audio system

Bestsellers from Lenco

View all

The technology behind the experience: the phono preamplifier

To connect a turntable, you need a RIAA phono preamplifier. It amplifies the weak signal from the needle so you can hear it through speakers.

The preamplifier can be located in three places: in the turntable itself, in your amplifier, or in a separate box. What you need depends on your setup.

Many modern turntables already have a built-in preamplifier. This allows you to connect them directly to speakers or an amplifier.

With many Lenco turntables, this is already built-in and often switchable.
That means: flexibility without hassle.

The element: where music originates

There are different types of cartridges for turntables.
The cartridge largely determines the sound quality of your turntable.

Ceramic Cartridge

A ceramic cartridge is the simplest variant. The back of the stylus is fixed in a block of ceramic material. As the stylus moves through the grooves of the record, this material converts the vibrations into an electrical signal.

  • Simple and affordable
  • Suitable for beginners
  • Less detail in sound

MM Cartridge

An MM cartridge works differently. The stylus follows the grooves and transmits the vibrations to a small magnet. That magnet moves past coils and generates an electrical signal.

MM cartridges usually follow the grooves more accurately. As a result, you often get more detail and a more balanced sound than with a ceramic cartridge.

  • Better sound quality
  • More detail and balance
  • Most commonly used choice

What is the difference between the stylus and the cartridge?

The stylus and the cartridge work closely together, but each has its own role in the sound you hear.

The stylus, a small tip made of diamond, moves through the grooves of the record and captures the smallest vibrations. The cartridge is the housing in which the stylus sits and translates these vibrations into an electrical signal.

In short: the stylus reads the music, the cartridge makes it audible.

The speed of a turntable (RPM)

The speed indicates how many times a record rotates per minute, expressed in RPM (rotations per minute). As the record spins, the needle follows the grooves and the music comes to life.

The correct speed is essential. If you play a record too fast or too slow, the sound changes immediately:

  • Record spins too fast → the music sounds higher and faster
  • Record spins too slow → the music sounds lower and slower

That’s why it’s important to always choose the correct speed that corresponds to the type of record.

The 3 main speeds

  • 33⅓ RPM (LPs)

    You use this speed for LPs, or albums.

    Features:

    • Large records of 30 cm (12 inch)
    • Long playtime (Approximately 20 minutes per side)
    • Most commonly used for full albums

  • 45 RPM (singles)

    You usually use this speed for singles.

    Features:

    • Smaller discs of 17 cm (7 inches)
    • Shorter playtime
    • Often 1 track per side
    • Often better sound quality because the groove moves past the needle faster

  • 78 RPM (old records)

    Use for old gramophone records.

    Features:

    • Primarily used in the early 20th century
    • Made of shellac
    • Shorter playing time per side (3 to 5 minutes)

Finally: your way of listening

The best turntable is the one that fits your listening style. Do you prefer convenience? Or are you going for maximum sound quality and control? Whatever you choose, with vinyl you listen more consciously, intensely, and closer to the music.

Discover the turntables from Lenco and experience music as it was meant to be.

Lenco Turntables

Your privacy is important to us!

We use cookies and similar technologies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Would you rather not have the best possible experience on and around our website? Then choose to refuse, we will only place functional and analytical cookies and techniques that are similar. Want to know more? Read our cookie and privacy statement.