Turntable Buying Guide for Beginners

Vinyl isn't nostalgia — it's a different way to listen

Vinyl's dynamic range doesn't match digital, but the analogue path has a unique warmth and space. Buying vinyl isn't about "better sound" — it's about the ritual: flipping the record, lowering the needle, waiting for the music. It's slower listening.

The four key parts

1. Platter and chassis

The platter must be heavy and flat to reduce wow and flutter. Entry tables such as the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO use acrylic or metal platters on dense MDF chassis to kill resonance. Cheap plastic platters show audible speed drift.

2. Tonearm

The tonearm's job is to track the groove with steady pressure. Entry arms are straight; mid-range may be S-shaped. What matters is precise bearings and adjustable VTA. Entry tables from Pro-Ject are pre-set — no adjustment needed.

3. Cartridge

The cartridge is the most sound-defining link. MM (Moving Magnet) cartridges are entry-level, cheap and easy to swap; MC (Moving Coil) cartridges offer more detail but need an MC phono stage. The Ortofon 2M series (Red / Blue / Bronze / Black) is the classic entry-to-mid choice, from around HK$1,000 to HK$6,000.

4. Phono stage

Cartridge output is tiny (MM about 5 mV, MC about 0.5 mV), so it needs a phono stage with RIAA equalisation. Many integrated amps have a built-in MM input, but MC carts need a separate MC stage. If your amp lacks phono in, budget for one.

First-time checklist

• Turntable (with tonearm and pre-mounted cartridge)
• Phono stage (if your amp lacks one)
• A record you love
• Basic mat and cleaning brush

Automatic arm?

Entry tables are manual — you lower and lift the arm yourself. That's part of the ritual. Automatic arms are rare in higher-end tables because the mechanism adds noise.

How to split budget?

Suggested: 50% table, 25% cartridge, 25% phono stage. Don't pair an entry table with a flagship MC cart — the table's own resonance will cap performance. The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO with Ortofon 2M Red is the classic entry combo.

Book an audition

Vinyl is analogue — you have to hear it. We offer Pro-Ject tables and Ortofon carts for audition. Bring a favourite record and compare.