The Planar 1 Plus is essentially the brilliant five-star entry-level Rega Planar 1 turntable with the equally five-star Rega Fono Mini A2D phono stage built in. Both have won Awards, and Rega thought it only felt natural to combine them together. We absolutely agree. Built-in phono preamp: You can buy a turntable with or without a phono preamp (or phono stage), which is a necessary component that amplifies the turntable’s normally weak signal into one that your amplifier and speaker can actually play. Many of these turntables with a built-in preamp, which are referred to as "integrated turntables" or "all-in-one turntables," allow you to turn off the built-in preamp so that you can add an external one (that's more hi-fi) if you want to build out your system later on.

For those looking for a talented turntable but want the convenience of a phono stage built-in (or maybe your stereo amp or active speakers don't have one), this Rega is the perfect place to start. A rival such as Audio Technica's AT-LPW50BTRW also offers an internal phono stage and even Bluetooth streaming into the mix, but the Rega can't be beaten when it comes to sound. The real attraction here is the dynamic sound. The Planar 1's delivery is spellbinding and well beyond what you might expect from an 'entry-level' turntable, surpassing that of the cheaper Audio Technica and Sony turntables also on this list. Rega’s forensic attention to detail results in a roomy, spacious presentation, while voices sound superb and rich. The Planar 1 delivers a combination of clarity and accuracy that's almost unparalleled at this entry-level price, providing an exciting and engaging experience no matter what you throw at it. As mentioned in the introduction to this review, the Audio-Technica AT-LPW50PB has a phono pre-amplifier built in, the output of which is at the rear of the turntable. Plinth damping mostly comes in the form of a rubber sheet mounted in the area of the top plinth between the tonearm and main bearing. Rubber washers also cover the plastic screw lugs. Audio-Technica’s claims of “high-mass chassis inserts” includes the steel plate in the base, but also a heavy steel plate to which the motor is mounted.The AT-LP5x is a well-executed design that sounds great for the money. It’s also well built, easy to set up and nice to use. These things make it worthy of a spot on anyone’s shortlist.” ’What Hi-Fi?’ – 5 Star review. It’s like spying the present shaped exactly like a pirate ship on Christmas morning, promising us the rival to Rega for which we’re so eager (and that apparently inspires us to poetry), so it is with some haste we shake Nils Frahm’s live album Spaces from its sleeve.

Like the turntable it replaces, the AT-LP5X features an integrated, defeatable phono stage and a USB output for connection to a computer (and, subsequently, fuss-free digital copies of your rare and/or precious vinyl). On this album van Veen stretches the concept of slowness to the extreme. One critic wrote of it that: “he creates an hallucinatory effect, a kind of minimal music avant la lettre.” Audio-Technica is right not to mess too much with a winning formula. The AT-LP5x is a well-executed design that sounds great for the money. It’s also well built, easy to set up and nice to use. These things make it worthy of a spot on anyone’s shortlist.It’s also a piece that’s played by almost every amateur pianist on the planet because of all the most well-known piano pieces, it seems to be the easiest to play because if you look at the score, you’ll see it’s almost blank, with some spaced-out chords that don’t require much of a finger-stretch and then only crotchets everywhere else — there’s not a quaver to be seen, much less a hemidemisemiquaver. But when you try to play it… wow! It’s so difficult to make it flow. A/D: 16 bit 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz USB selectable; Computer interface: USB 2.0 compliant Windows 7 or above, MAC OS X or above Despite newer record players with integrated Bluetooth streaming entering the market (even hi-res wireless options like the Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2) this Sony continues to deliver the best combination of performance for a Bluetooth model, and for a very affordable price, too.

A/D: - 16 bit 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz USB selectable; Computer interface: USB 2.0 compliant Windows 7 or above, MAC OS X or above There’s no denying the fact that the Vertere DG-1 S is up against some mighty competition (such as the excellent Rega Planar 10), but given what we’ve heard, it can go into any such comparisons with confidence. The best just got better. The LP5x features a basic aluminium platter which doesn’t look a patch on the 140’s rather swish design, while the latter is fitted with damping materials. The LP5x also has a horribly cheap rubber mat a-top instead of the better fabric mat of the 140.Once you have chosen, it's also crucial you set up your turntable correctly. While some record players are relatively "plug and play", many require a little more time and effort to hear at their best. Want to know more? Read our complete guide to choosing the right turntable. How we test record players There’s a commitment to good materials, smart additional features and flexibility for adding other audio components of your choice that makes for a turntable that will grow along with your love of vinyl. Those looking to make the next step on their vinyl adventure should definitely stop off here.