It's déjà vu in the turntable category this year as duos of decks from Rega and Pro-Ject, plus Technics and Vertere models, hold onto their What Hi-Fi? Awards crowns from last season (and, in most cases, some seasons before that too). Indeed, a What Hi-Fi? Awards ceremony without at least two of those iconic turntable brands would be as familiar as a Ballon d'Or red carpet without Lionel Messi and David Beckham.
Last year we witnessed a shake-up in the camp as Pro-Ject's Debut Pro ended the long-time reign of Rega's Planar 3 (like when Ronaldo ended Messi's successive haul in 2013), but there's no such tussle this time, with every 2022 winner standing strong for another year. In fact, the only movement in the category has been in its pricing parameters to accommodate a couple of models' increased asking prices, such is the current climate of the market today.
