Frequently Asked Questions

A record player with built-in speakers plays your vinyl straight away, with no extra equipment needed — ideal if you don't already have an audio setup at home. A record player without built-in speakers connects to an amp or existing speakers via an RCA output, and tends to suit people who already own a sound system and want to add vinyl to it without compromise. The right choice simply depends on what you already have at home: if you're still unsure, our all-in-one record players collection is the simplest place to start.

A Bluetooth-enabled record player lets you connect your phone or wireless speakers, so you don't have to deal with extra cables in your living room. This is especially useful if you already own a Bluetooth speaker, or if you'd like the freedom to move your setup around. Purists after a fully wired chain tend to go for our Hi-Fi models instead, built for a direct, stable connection to an amp. Both approaches are perfectly valid — it really comes down to how you like to listen day to day.

For your first record player, look for something simple to set up, with a reliable stylus and three playback speeds covering everything your future collection is likely to include. Our entry-level models are built to work straight out of the box, with no technical setup or prior hi-fi knowledge required. You can always move on to a more demanding model later, once you're more into it — our Hi-Fi turntables are there for bigger collections and more discerning ears.

A record player makes a genuinely appreciated gift, as long as you stick to a versatile model that plays all three standard speeds and doesn't need a complicated setup. Models with built-in speakers reduce the risk of disappointment, since the person receiving the gift needs nothing else to enjoy it straight away. A budget of around £120 to £220 usually covers a solid, long-lasting model, without dropping into flimsy entry-level territory or straying into gear meant for seasoned collectors.

Our record players support all three standard speeds — 33, 45 and 78 RPM — which covers almost every vinyl record in circulation today, whether it's an album, a 7" single or an older pressing. A 45 RPM adapter is generally included with the record player, so you can play records with a large centre hole without buying anything extra. This broad compatibility means no nasty surprises, whatever mix of recent and inherited records you own.

The stylus is the tip that physically reads the groove of the record; its quality has a direct effect on the accuracy and warmth of the sound. Depending on the model, it's made from ruby, sapphire or metal, each offering a different balance of precision and durability. A stylus wears down gradually with use and typically needs replacing after several hundred hours of listening, much like any mechanical wear part. A worn stylus is usually noticeable as a loss of clarity or a slight hiss in the high end.

An RCA output sends the audio signal as a wired, analogue connection straight to an amp or active speakers, with no digital conversion in between. Bluetooth, on the other hand, digitises and compresses the signal to send it wirelessly, which makes setup easier at the cost of a slight loss of fidelity according to purists. Both technologies often coexist on the same model, letting you choose between easy setup and signal purity depending on what matters most to you at the time.

Our record players support 7", 10" and 12" formats, covering the standard sizes for singles, EPs and albums sold both new and second-hand. An old record inherited from an attic or picked up at a record shop will play just fine, as long as it's in reasonable physical condition. Only a handful of very specific formats or damaged records may cause playback issues, regardless of which record player you choose.

Your order is processed within 24 to 48 hours, then shipped for delivery within 4 to 8 working days — a total estimated delivery time of 5 to 10 working days across the UK. This timeframe reflects shipping from our European logistics partner, with careful packaging suited to the fragility of audio equipment. Full delivery details are available on our shipping policy page, which we keep up to date.

A tracking number is sent to you by email as soon as your parcel leaves our warehouse, letting you follow each step of delivery right up to your door. This tracking is accessible straight from your inbox or from the dedicated page on our site, with no account required. If tracking hasn't updated for several days, our customer service team is on hand to check the exact status of your delivery.

Delivery is free on every record player we sell, with no minimum order value required, whichever model you choose from our catalogue. This reflects our commitment to keeping the price you see as transparent as possible, with no extra charges appearing at checkout. Only optional gift-wrapping, where available, may come with a small extra charge, always clearly shown before you confirm your order.

We currently only offer home delivery, which suits the fragility and size of the equipment better than a standard pickup point can handle. This keeps parcel handling to a minimum and reduces the risk of damage in transit to your address. If home delivery is genuinely difficult for you, our customer service team is happy to look at the options available on a case-by-case basis.

You have 30 days after delivery to change your mind and return your record player, with no reason required. This generous window gives you time to properly try it out at home, listen to a few records, and check it fits how you actually want to use it. The full process, including the condition your product needs to be returned in, is detailed on our returns & refunds page.

A quick visual check of the parcel on arrival can reveal any impact that may have happened in transit, even before you fully unbox it. Any issue should be reported to our customer service team along with photos of the product and packaging, which helps us process your case and send a replacement more quickly. You won't be charged anything in this situation — the carrier is responsible for any damage found.

Once your return arrives and our team has checked its condition, your refund is issued to the payment method used for your original order. How long it takes to appear then depends on your bank, typically anywhere from a few days to two weeks. You'll receive a confirmation email as soon as we've initiated the refund on our end.

An exchange is possible within the same 30-day window, for example if the model you chose doesn't quite match your setup or the sound you were expecting. The process involves returning your original product and placing a new order for the model you'd prefer, which keeps things moving quickly without holding up stock in the meantime. Our customer service team is happy to help you find the right model before you go ahead with the exchange.

No particular skills are needed for most of our models, which are built to work straight out of the box with no complicated adjustments or lengthy manual to read. Simply place the record player on a stable surface, plug it in, and connect speakers or an amp if your model requires it. Our Hi-Fi turntables need an extra wired connection to your existing setup, but this step is still perfectly manageable with no prior audio experience.

Regularly dusting the platter and the protective dust cover is usually enough to keep sound quality consistent over time, by preventing dust from building up in the grooves of your records. It's best to handle records by the edges rather than the grooved surface, to avoid fingerprints that can affect sound fidelity. A soft, dry cloth is the best tool for the job — avoid any harsh chemical products near the platter or the tonearm.

A stable, flat surface limits unwanted vibration that can affect playback, particularly on models fitted with shock-absorbing feet designed specifically to isolate this kind of movement. Avoiding placing the record player directly on top of the speaker playing it also reduces resonance that can sometimes be audible. A dedicated stand or shelf, away from vibration sources like heavy foot traffic or a resonant floor, is usually the best setup.

Crackling is most often caused by a dirty record or a worn-out stylus — easy to tell apart by trying a different, clean record on the same player. Skipping, on the other hand, usually points to an unbalanced tonearm or a record player sitting on a surface that isn't perfectly stable. Adjusting the counterweight according to the manual, or moving the record player to a more stable spot, resolves most of these issues.

You can pay by standard debit or credit card, as well as PayPal if you prefer, directly through our secure checkout. Interest-free instalments are also available via Klarna, split over four payments — a handy way to spread the cost of a higher-end model. You can choose your preferred payment method freely at checkout.

Every transaction goes through an encrypted payment protocol, the recognised standard for online retail, which prevents your card details from being read by third parties during transmission. We never store your full card details on our own servers at any point — this information is handled exclusively by our certified payment provider. This setup limits risk in the event of a technical issue, since sensitive data never passes directly through our systems.

All prices shown on the site are in pounds sterling (£), with no conversion or hidden charges added at checkout. This stays the same whichever payment method you choose — card, PayPal or instalments via Klarna. Any bank charges linked to a card issued outside the UK depend entirely on your own bank, and are separate from our pricing.