Find the perfect turntable for your listening style

In the not-too-distant past, vinyl records and turntables seemed like relics — items of kitsch from a bygone period, like bellbottoms or aerosol hairspray. Not so fast! Vinyl has seen a huge resurgence in recent years, as more and more listeners discover the reasons for its lasting appeal. The numbers back it up: last year, sales of vinyl were up 12%, comprising nearly 14% of all physical sales in music.

So, why the vinyl re-revolution? Many audiophiles swear music sounds better on vinyl, and when we’re talking vinyl versus digital, that’s likely true in some key ways. 

For one, when creating a digital music file, the music itself is typically compressed, which can “squish out the dynamics and textures that give recordings their depth and vitality,” according to sound engineer Adam Gonsalves. Many vinyl-lovers would also point to the way the tiny pops and crackles that come with listening to a vinyl record give the experience a sense of warmth. Plus, they’re collectible physical objects in an increasingly digital world. That all adds up to serious cool factor. Read more...