We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Reading and Bath, where our team of expert reviewers do all our in-house testing. The What Hi-Fi? team has more than 100 years of collective experience in reviewing, testing and writing about consumer electronics – and that includes plenty of record players. So how do we come to our review verdicts and why can you trust them? Allow us to explain. Here at What Hi-Fi? we review hundreds of products every year, from TVs to speakers, headphones to hi-fi systems. Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Read the full review: Lenco L-85 How we test record players If you were thinking of buying those trendy suitcase-style turntables from the high street, don't – get this Lenco deck instead. We’ll admit it’s not the most detailed or articulate performance, nor does the rhythm charge along with pin-point precision and agility, but we weren’t expecting such a likeable, inoffensive sound that’s this easy to listen to for such an affordable price. ![]() Similarly, sound quality is decent if not amazing for the money – now available for as low as £80 (around $100 / AU$150). It'll only record as MP3 files, but remember this is a budget turntable – it would be unrealistic to expect hi-res FLAC files from it. There’s no need for special audio software or tricky laptop hook-ups – just plug a memory stick into the front panel’s USB port, hit the record button when you’re ready, and voila – you have an MP3 version of your vinyl record that you can play on your laptop or copy onto your smartphone. The only adjustment you have to make is to reset the auto-return motion. Everything comes pre-fitted, including the moving-magnet cartridge, and there’s no need to set the counterweight, adjust the bias, or weigh anything. The Lenco L-85 is designed to be as user- and beginner-friendly as possible, and it succeeds. This is a semi-automatic, belt-driven turntable with a built-in phono stage. Rivals offer subtler, more dynamic and accurate sound Read the full Audio Technica AT-LP5x review If you're after a well-executed design that's well-built, easy to set up and sounds great for the money, the AT-LP5x is worthy of a spot on your shortlist. The USB ripping feature remains, so you can digitise your vinyl collection to CD-quality WAV files up to 16-bit/44.1kHz and 48kHz. ![]() It sounds a touch cleaner and clearer than before, but without losing any of its composure or dynamically pleasing presentation. Those improvements aside, the LP5x's sonics mirror its predecessor closely. ![]() There's a new cartridge that's easier to fit, the built-in phono stage can now cope with both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges and Audio Technica has added a 78rpm speed option. So it’s no surprise to find that Audio-Technica hasn’t changed its winning formula for this new AT-LP5x model (available for £379 / $449, around AU$690). Launched in 2016, its combination of solid engineering, useful features (including USB output) and fine sound was enough to make it one of our go-to recommendations for anyone wanting a sensibly priced, fuss-free record player with the added bonus of a USB output. As always, performance is king, though, and in this instance that only furthers the Sony’s likeability while it’s not the classiest-looking turntable on the market, it has all the class in the sound suite instead.Īudio-Technica’s original AT-LP5 turntable was a winner. ![]() The presentation favours a crisp consistency over the full-bodied solidity of some of its rivals – something to bear in mind when it comes to system pairing.Īnything that keeps vinyl fresh and appealing is gold in our eyes, and the PS-HX500 is a good example of that. The Sony is articulate with any track’s offbeat rhythmic pattern, tying the multiple strands together for a coherent and layered delivery, and has the dynamic dexterity to bring fairly tenuous sonic shifts to our attention. Price? £299 (around $365 / AU$544) - and although availability is patchy now, it's worth hunting down if you're dead set on a USB deck.Īnd it sounds big, clear, insightful and snappy. If you belong to the second group, however, you’ll be interested to know that elsewhere the PS-HX500 behaves, looks and sounds very much like a typical turntable. Invariably, some will jump at the chance to digitise their collection while others will be less bothered.
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