Our experts had different recommendations for beginners, but they all advised avoiding one very popular all-in-one record player that comes in a suitcase: “Whatever you do, don’t get a Crosley,” says DJ Prestige of the DJ-focused website Fleamarket Funk, who says that if you’re serious about your new hobby, you should look for machines with better sound quality - and with needles that won’t “eventually ruin your records.” In practice, that means avoiding not just a Crosley, but most if not all record players. Our experts also recommend sticking to familiar, reputable brands. To get an entry-level turntable that won’t cause damage and has good sound quality, expect to spend between $250 and $500.

But the cheapest options raise instant red flags for our experts because they can damage your records.

But according to the experts we spoke with - including DJs, record-store owners, and vinyl geeks - all you need is a turntable with a preamp, a few records, and speakers to get started.Ī top-of-the-line turntable can easily carry a thousand-dollar price tag.

The world of vinyl records, like any niche hobby, can be intimidating to the uninitiated.

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