For music lovers, owning one of the best turntables is the height of success. You know the meme "If I win the lottery, I won't tell anyone, but there will be signs..."? That's me with my record collection. Slowly but surely, I'm buying every album I've ever loved.
There's something so special about records (and other physical media, like CDs). Not only do you get to hold your music, but you also get access to a whole world of Easter-eggy tidbits you wouldn't previously have known about. For example, 'Origin of Symmetry' by Muse is one of my favorite albums — did I know the famous pipe organ was recorded at a church literally ten minutes from my apartment? Not until I bought the vinyl and read the insert! As I'm writing this, Record Store Day 2026 is just two days away... and of course, I'm going to buy way too much.
Now that I've had my U-Turn Orbit Special for six months, I thought I'd commemorate it by sharing all my favorite parts of being a record player owner — and all my least favorites. If you're also looking to buy your first turntable, make sure you do your research first!
I've never felt closer to my favorite artists
You've heard it before, and you'll most definitely hear it again, but physical media is so much more satisfying than streaming. As much as I love the convenience of listening to music on Spotify, Apple Music, or Qobuz, I don't feel as connected to the tunes as when I listen on my turntable.
When I play my favorite records on my turntable, I'm listening. I'm sat. Music played on my turntable is the main attraction, not background noise to keep me focused while I work.
Isn't this what music is all about? After all, music is art. We owe it to the artists to actually listen to what they have to say. I'm not saying music should only be seriously appreciated — instead of merely consumed — but taking the time to really listen makes it feel so much better.
Think of it like taking a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway. If this is your daily commute, the gorgeous scenery becomes boring. It's bland. But if you carve out the time to drive from top to bottom and drink in the view, it creates a whole new meaning. That's how I feel about my record player — it turns mundanity into a spectacle.
But I couldn't go full analog yet
Don't get me wrong, I adore my turntable. It's one of the best things I've ever had the pleasure of owning. I go to the local record store at least once every two weeks, even if I know I can't afford to top up my burgeoning vinyl collection that regularly.
But I couldn't leave my digital streaming services — and price is the reason. Listen, I would love to buy every single album on vinyl. Yet when one record costs £30 ($40.60 at time of writing), I just can't afford to. My Spotify membership costs £13 per month, and I can listen to as many albums as I want.
Am I contradicting myself? Yes. I want to be a vinyl-only music listener, but it's economically impossible for me... and I'm pretty sure it's economically impossible for 99% of you reading this, too.
Even if the turntable's initial cost hasn't put you off, vinyl accessories like this $50 "hockey puck" that stops your records warping, the cleaning accessories and cartridges and floor-standing speakers might just do it.
In all seriousness, though, if you genuinely love music, I think you should just bite the bullet and get a record player. It becomes a very expensive hobby very quickly... but I'm not mad about it at all.
