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THE VINYL RE-EVOLUTION

We’ve all got those people in our lives who are just consumed with all things music. Most of us are happy to have music as a soundtrack to our lives to go with the noises of the outside world. The music fanatic sees it differently. Music is the one true art form, the album is a thing to be treated with respect, and the artists that make it all happen are timeless. SOUND IDEAS FOR THE MUSIC FANATIC

One thing that many long-time music fans felt was missing from the move to streaming was that loss of the experience of the album – a cor- nerstone of popular music since the first electric guitar was plugged in. With songs so easily able to be put in playlists that tried to guess what you like, listened to in the middle of a radio-like stream of other people’s stuff, the concept of the album felt more distant than ever. Playing vinyl is a ritual. It all begins at JB sifting through the record racks looking for that elusive find. A record is a 12-inch by 12-inch canvas where all the artwork details on an album spring to life. Lyrics and sleeve notes are there to be digested, and this is even before you put the album on a platter. The warm, analogue sound is simply irreplaceable. It’s no surprise, then, that vinyl’s back in a big way – though now, it’s a whole new generation of music fans that are discovering the unique experience of vinyl for the first time. With this resurgence has come a new emphasis on sound quality, an explosion of coloured-vinyl records, and a modern range of record players to enjoy them on.

Sony Stereo Turntable with Bluetooth Play your vinyl collection on wireless speakers or headphones. $399

Whitney Houston - T-Shirt $24.98

Dave Grohl - The Storyteller- Tales of Life and Music (Book) $34.98

Flea Market Bluetooth Turntable Stylish wooden design with enhanced bass and speakers included. $269

PRO TIP

Whether you call them record players or turntables, the good news is that the devices you can buy to play your records are offering more features than ever before. Taking advantage of advances in design over decades – and adding some very 21st century perks like Bluetooth – there’s no longer a need to find and fix old players from the past. Even better, this new generation doesn’t need the special “phono” input on an amplifier to work. You can plug these into anything from a home theatre system to a portable speaker and get vinyl playback without the hassle. PUT THE NEEDLE ON THE RECORD!

Which Turntable - Belt Drive or Direct Drive? You’ll find one of two types shopping for one – but what’s the difference? Belt drive, as the name suggests, spins the record using a rubber belt between a tiny motor and the record platter. By keeping the motor away from the record, you hear less noise from vibrations – but belts eventually need to be replaced. Direct drive turntables mount the platter directly on a motor, and deliver highly accurate speed and reliability, which is why they’re preferred by DJs. of “drive” mentioned for a turntable when you’re

Audio-Technica LP120XUSB Fully Manual Direct Drive Turntable

Marley Stir-It-Up Made with sustainable bamboo for a unique appearance, quality Audio- Technica cartridge. $449

Classic design with full manual control and accurate direct- drive motor. $649

PRO TIP

Audio-Technica LP60X Fully automatic, two-speed belt- drive turntable. $269

The Cartridge Family The cartridge is the little device attached to the end of the arm you place on the record, and they’re not all created equal. Some lower-cost turntables use a ceramic cartridge, which does the job but lacks the sheer sound quality of magnetic cartridges. Magnetic cartridges deliver a very quiet audio signal, so on classic turntables they used to need a special amplifier input. These days, with turntables having line-out, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, that’s no longer a problem.

Rolling Stones Slip Mat $19.98

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