Turntable Features Explained: Essential and Advanced Functions Buyers Should Know
Buying a turntable is exciting—whether you’re new to vinyl or upgrading your system. The choices can be overwhelming because technical terms get thrown around. This guide gives you turntable features explained in plain language. You’ll learn what each one does and how it impacts your listening. We’ll cover everything from the basics to more advanced features, so you can match the right turntable to your needs.
BASIC TURNABLE FEATURES
1. Platter and Drive System
The platter is the surface your record sits on. The way it spins affects playback stability and sound quality.
There are two main drive types:
- Belt-drive
A belt connects the motor to the platter. The belt absorbs vibration from the motor, so less of that noise reaches the stylus. This often means cleaner sound.
Belt-drives typically take a second or two to get up to speed, but that’s a non-issue for home listening. - Direct-drive
Here, the motor is directly attached to the platter’s axis. It reaches speed instantly and keeps that speed steady. DJs like this for cueing and scratching.
Direct-drive systems are robust but slightly more prone to letting motor noise bleed into the sound if not engineered well.
If you want sonic purity for home listening, belt-drive is a safe pick. If you want speed accuracy and durability under heavy use, go with direct-drive. For complete a complete guide on these systems, check out our guide here.
2. Playback Speeds
Most records are designed for either 33 1/3 RPM (albums) or 45 RPM (singles and some EPs).
Some turntables also support 78 RPM—these are older shellac records from before the LP era.
Some speeds switch with a button. Others require you to place the belt on a different pulley. If you own 78 RPM discs, you’ll need a stylus made for their wider grooves.
3. Tonearm
The tonearm holds the cartridge and lets the stylus follow the groove. Good tonearms are precise and move freely without wobble.
The tonearm must also maintain the right geometry—too steep or shallow an angle can cause tracking issues and record wear. Many high-grade tonearms have fine adjustments for this.
4. Cartridge and Stylus
The cartridge is the small housing that holds the stylus. It converts the mechanical movement from the vinyl groove into an electrical signal.
Types:
- Moving Magnet (MM) – Affordable, easy to replace, and great for most listeners.
- Moving Coil (MC) – Usually pricier, offers more detail, but is harder to replace and needs special phono stages.
Stylus shapes:
- Conical/Spherical – Robust, cheaper, but less detail retrieval.
- Elliptical – Tracks grooves better, offers more detail.
- Microline/Shibata – Ultra-precise, ideal for audiophiles, longer life span with proper care.
Changing the stylus at regular intervals will keep sound quality high and prevent damage to your collection.
ESSENTIAL CONTROLS AND ADJUSTMENTS
5. Speed Selector
Some turntables use switches or buttons to select speeds, others require manual adjustments to the belt’s position. Electronic speed control models hold speed very accurately over time.
6. Anti-Skate Control
Skating force pulls the arm toward the record center. Anti-skate applies a small outward force to counter this.
Proper anti-skate means both left and right channels in stereo stay balanced, and your stylus wears evenly.
7. Counterweight
The counterweight balances the tonearm so the stylus applies the correct tracking force. Too little force causes skipping; too much wears records.
Most carts list an ideal tracking force (e.g., 1.8 grams). Setting it correctly matters as much as the cartridge itself.
8. Tonearm Lift Lever
This small lever lowers and raises the tonearm smoothly. It helps avoid manually dropping the stylus, which can cause costly damage.
ADVANCED FEATURES FOR ENTHUSIASTS AND DJS
9. Pitch Control
This lets you fine-tune playback speed up or down, usually by ±8% or ±16%. DJs use this for beatmatching, but even non-DJs can use it to correct pressings that run slightly fast or slow.
10. Built-in Preamp
Vinyl output is very quiet and tonally adjusted (RIAA curve). A phono preamp corrects the tone and boosts the signal.
Having one built-in saves you from buying a separate box, but external preamps sometimes offer better sound.
- Compact phono preamplifier
- Adjusts for MM or MC cartridge via switch on rear panel
- Small size allows installation close to record player
11. USB Output
This feature connects the turntable to your computer for recording vinyl into digital files. Useful for archiving rare records or making portable copies.
12. Plinth Material and Design
The plinth supports the platter and arm. Solid heavier materials block vibration, keeping the stylus from picking up rumble.
Materials include MDF, hardwood, metal, and acrylic. Some manufacturers add isolation feet to reduce external vibration from floors or speakers.
13. Tonearm Adjustability
On advanced models, you can adjust:
- Vertical Tracking Angle (VTA) – Alters the stylus angle in the groove.
- Azimuth – Adjusts side-to-side tilt of the stylus for channel balance.
- Overhang – Changes how far the stylus tip extends past the platter spindle.
Fine-tuning these can have subtle but real effects on the stereo image and clarity.
14. Motor Isolation
Some turntables mount the motor in a way that mechanically separates it from the platter. This lowers noise picked up by the stylus.
EXTRA FUNCTIONS WORTH HAVING
15. Automatic vs. Manual
- Manual – You control everything: placing the stylus on the groove and lifting it after playback.
- Automatic – Press a button and the tonearm moves into place, starts spinning, and returns when the record ends.
Semi-automatic lifts the tonearm at the end but doesn’t place it for you.
16. Target Light
A small light near the platter helps you see track gaps in low light. More common on DJ decks.
17. Cueing Memory and Repeat
Some models can loop sides automatically, useful in bars or background listening scenarios.
18. Strobe Light and Platter Markings
Marks on the platter edge combined with a strobe light let you visually check that speed is accurate.
19. Swappable Headshells
Some S-shaped tonearms use removable headshells, making cartridge swaps quick.
20. Damping Systems
Silicone or magnetic damping in the tonearm reduces resonance and improves tracking.
CHOOSING BASED ON YOUR NEEDS
- Beginner listeners – Belt-drive, built-in preamp, manual operation, MM cartridge.
- Casual collectors – Add semi-auto return, adjustable counterweight, and replaceable stylus.
- Audiophiles – Heavy platter, adjustable tonearm, separate preamp, MC cartridge, motor isolation.
- DJs – Direct-drive, high torque, pitch control, target light, rugged build.
- Archivists – USB output, adjustable tonearm, quiet motor, good preamp.
RECOMMENDED MODELS WORTH LOOKING AT
- Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB – Direct-drive, pitch control, USB, adjustable tonearm.
- Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO – Carbon fiber tonearm, upgraded platter, belt-drive.
- Technics SL-1200MK7 – Legendary DJ deck, bulletproof build, high torque.
- House of Marley Stir It Up Wireless – Sustainable materials, Bluetooth, belt-drive.
MAINTENANCE ESSENTIALS
Keep away from heavy bass vibrations.Buying a turntable isn’t just about picking a stylish box that spins vinyl. To get the best experience from your records, you need to understand the features that affect sound, ease of use, and durability. This article breaks down the key turntable features explained clearly, so you know what to look for, from basics to advanced functions.
Keep records clean with a carbon fiber brush before and after play.
Replace stylus based on wear—often every 500–1000 hours of play.
Level your turntable to avoid tracking issues.
Final Thoughts: Turntable Features Explained
The best turntable for your needs is not just about price or the name on the front. Your listening habits, priorities, and record collection matter just as much. When you understand the platter and drive system, tonearm engineering, cartridge choices, and user-friendly controls, choosing the right model becomes a straightforward process. Modern turntables combine precision and durability with options like USB connectivity for recording your vinyl and built-in preamps for simple setup. Whether you are building your first system or upgrading for better sound, knowing how these features work together helps you enjoy your collection with dependable performance. When you’re ready to play your records, the turntable you choose will let you hear each album the way you expect.