The complete, no-nonsense gear list for new collectors. No fluff, no gatekeeping. Just actually what you need.
Every time someone finds out I collect vinyl, I get the same question: “Okay, but what do I actually need? Is just a turntable enough? Do I need speakers? Do I need all sorts of cables? What about cleaning or maintenance?
This page is the answer to that question. Bookmark it, share it, use it. It covers everything you need from zero to playing your first record. Nothing more, nothing less.
What You Need To Collect Vinyl (The Short Version)
- A turntable
- A phono preamp (may be built into your turntable. More on that below)
- Speakers
- A record cleaning brush (or a soft makeup brush will do as well)
- Sleeves and storage
Not sure what some of that means? Keep reading.
1. Turntable
Turntables are the obvious one. But not all turntables are created equal.
The cheap all-in-one suitcase players you see at gift shops look fun, but they use a low-quality needle that will physically damage your records over time. Avoid them (speaking from experience here).
For a first deck, you have two solid options depending on your budget:
Audio-Technica AT-LP60X
~€170 Fully automatic, built-in phono preamp (you won’t need a separate one, see below), and sounds great for the price.
The single most recommended beginner turntable for a reason.
If you want to plug in and play, this is it.
Pro-Ject Primary E
~€250 A step up in sound quality. Manual operation and no built-in preamp, meaning you’ll need to buy one separately.
Worth it if you want a setup you can grow into from day one, and you don’t want to think about upgrades anytime soon.
2. Phono preamp
Chose the Audio-Technica? You can skip this section. It has a preamp built in and you’re already sorted.
What the heck is a ‘phono preamp?’
A phono preamp (pictured here) is a small box that sits between your turntable and your speakers.
Without this box, your records will sound barely audible and incredibly thin. Most beginners don’t know it exists until they plug everything in and hear nothing. It’s essentially an amplifier for the output of your turntable.
Behringer PP400
~€25 Does exactly what it needs to. No frills, no complaints. The budget pick.
The PP400 is also barebones. If you need the signal boosted and don’t want to think about it, this works.
ART DJ Pre II
~€40 A small step up, and a staple recommendation across every vinyl beginner forum on the internet.
The ART DJ Pre II offers less background hiss, and crucially, it has a ground terminal, which eliminates the low hum some turntables produce.
Worth the extra €15 – €20 if your budget allows it.
Not sure which one? If your turntable has a grounding wire (a thin bare wire coming out the back), get the ART. If it doesn’t, either will do the job.
3. Speakers
Powered speakers have an amplifier built in, so you connect them directly to your turntable or preamp and you’re done.
One box, fewer cables, up and running in minutes. Great for anyone who wants to keep things simple.
The Edifier R1280T is ~€100 and will check all these boxes.
Want to go deeper? As your collection and ears develop, you might find yourself drawn to a dedicated receiver and passive speaker setup. More components, but more flexibility and better sound at higher price points.
For now though, powered speakers will serves you well.
4. Record cleaning brush
Also covered in my How to Clean Vinyl Records at Home (Without Ruining Them) blog, if you want to dive into the details.
Records pick up dust every time you play them, and dust means crackling and noise during playback. A basic carbon fiber brush before every play is all you need to start. Run it gently along the grooves before you drop the needle.
Carbon fiber record brush — €15 Any reputable brand will do the job at this price range –> Check it out here.
5. Sleeves & storage
Also covered in my How to Store Vinyl Records Properly (And Why It Matters) blog, if you want to dive into the details.
Records come in paper inner sleeves from the factory. The problem is that paper sheds microscopic particles onto your vinyl over times, causing noise and wear. Swapping them out for poly sleeves is cheap and makes a real difference.
As for storage, an IKEA Kallax shelf unit is my go-to recommendation (and in the community as a whole). Each cube holds roughly ~70 records, it fits any room, and it costs next to nothing. Good chance you already know what it looks like.
What Will All Of This Cost Me?
| Estimated Cost | |
|---|---|
| Budget Setup (AT-LP60X + Edifier R1280T + brush + sleeves) | ~€250 |
| Step-up setup (Pro-Ject Primary E + ART DJ Pre II + Edifier R1280T + brush + sleeves) | ~€350 |
Neither of these is a small amount of money, but both will last you years and sound genuinely good. Buy cheap, buy twice.
Any Questions?
Still not sure what to get? Check out our FAQ or send us a message on Instagram or Facebook — we’re happy to help you figure out what makes sense for your situation.
And if you’re ready to start filling that shelf, check out June’s Records of the Month or 5 Records I Keep Coming Back to (And Why They Deserve a Spot in Your Collection Too) for what’s worth buying.
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep Full Rotation running.