The resurgence of vinyl has been one of the most exciting trends in music over the last decade.
If you’re ready to dive into the vinyl experience, setting up a turntable and speakers is the first step.
But knowing what equipment to get can feel like a maze of technical terms and confusing options. Fear not!
Whether you're looking to connect to a simple set of active speakers or build a more traditional hi-fi setup, this guide will help you understand all the essential gear to get your system running smoothly.
Key Components Of A Turntable Setup
Let’s start by breaking down the key components you need for a record player setup.
The complexity of your setup will depend on how minimalist or traditional you want to go, but every setup involves a few core pieces:
Turntable
The star of the show. The turntable is where the magic happens, converting the grooves on your vinyl records into sound.
Turntables come in a wide range of prices and designs, but for most first-time buyers, a decent entry-level model will do the trick.
Speakers
Speakers are what bring the sound to life.
You’ll need to choose between active and passive speakers, which we’ll dive into shortly.
Phono Preamp
This is a crucial but often overlooked component.
Turntables produce a very low-level signal, called a “phono” signal, which needs to be amplified to “line level” before it can be played through speakers.
Some turntables have built-in phono preamps, while others require an external one.
Amplifier (if using passive speakers)
If you're going the traditional hi-fi route, you’ll need an amplifier to power your speakers.
An amplifier takes the signal from your phono preamp (or turntable if it has a built-in preamp) and boosts it to drive the speakers.
Setup Option 1: Turntable + Active Speakers
For those looking for simplicity without sacrificing sound quality, connecting your turntable directly to active speakers is a great option.
Active speakers have built-in amplification, so you don’t need a separate amplifier to power them.
What You’ll Need:
- Turntable: As mentioned earlier, you can choose between a turntable with a built-in phono preamp or one that requires an external turntable pre-amp. The key here is compatibility with your speakers. For example, if your active speakers don’t have a phono stage, you’ll either need a turntable with a built-in preamp or a separate phono preamp.
- Active Speakers: Active speakers are self-powered, meaning they have amplifiers built into the speaker unit. This makes them a one-stop solution for smaller setups, especially for people who want to avoid a lot of extra components. They connect directly to the turntable, either through an RCA cable or a digital input depending on the models you choose.
- Phono Preamp (If Required): If your turntable doesn’t have a built-in phono preamp and your speakers don’t either, you’ll need to add one into the mix. A good option is something like the Pro-Ject Phono Box MM or the Phono Box S2. It’s a small device that fits easily into your setup without adding much clutter.
This setup is perfect for beginners because it’s straightforward.
You don't need to worry about matching amplifiers to speakers or running multiple cables, and it offers a compact setup for smaller spaces.
We have lots of carefully curated turntable & active speaker bundles on our website.
Setup Option 2: Turntable + Amplifier + Passive Speakers
For the audiophile or anyone who wants the traditional hi-fi experience, a separate amplifier and passive speakers offer more control over your sound.
This setup gives you the flexibility to upgrade each component individually, allowing for better sound customisation over time as you can change out the speakers, turntable, amplifier and other components to suit your requirements.
What You’ll Need:
- Turntable: Just like with the active speaker setup, your turntable may or may not have a built-in phono preamp. If it doesn’t, you’ll need an external one.
- Phono Preamp (If Required): If your turntable lacks a built-in phono preamp, you’ll need to add this external box to your setup. Some amplifiers have a built-in phono stage, so if yours does, you're all set without needing a separate preamp.
- Amplifier: The amplifier is what powers your passive speakers. It takes the signal from your turntable (via the preamp) and amplifies it to a level that the speakers can handle. You’ll need to choose between an integrated amplifier (which includes both a preamp and power amplifier) or a separate preamp and power amplifier setup, depending on how serious you want to get. For most people, an integrated amplifier like the Mission 778X or Audiolab 6000 or 7000 series will be perfect.
- Passive Speakers: Unlike active speakers, passive speakers need an external amplifier to work. They don’t have any built-in amplification, so you have to connect them to your amp for sound. Passive speakers are generally seen as higher quality because they allow for more customisation of sound. Popular entry-level passive speakers include the Q Acoustics 3020c or the Wharfedale EVO range.
This setup offers better sound customisation and flexibility.
You can swap out components like the amplifier or speakers as your preferences change or as you become more serious about audio.
However, it does require more components and a bit more know-how when setting everything up.
You can usually get a turntable + amp + speaker setup for around £900 but ultimately the budget can keep increasing upwards here as there are lots of options and varying quality levels to choose from.
We have lots of carefully curated turntable, amplifier & speaker bundles on our website.
Don't forget that this option is a lot more upgradeable so you can start with a good amplifier and cheaper speakers and then upgrade the speakers in the future when budgets allow.
Additional Gear & Considerations
Cables
You’ll need RCA cables to connect most of your gear, particularly when working with external components like a phono preamp or amplifier.
If you're using an amplifier + passive speakers you'll also need some speaker cables to make the connection.
Make sure to buy quality cables, as cheap ones can introduce noise or degrade sound quality.
Note that all of our bundles, and most of our turntables, come complete with cables - check the "What's In The Box" section of the product listing page.
Maintenance Gear
A clean record plays better and lasts longer.
Invest in a record brush to keep your vinyl clean, and a stylus brush to ensure your needle stays free of dust and debris.
Read More:
Conclusion: What’s the Right Setup for You?
If you're a beginner looking for a simple, minimal setup, turntable + active speakers is likely your best option.
It’s affordable, easy to set up, and offers great sound quality without needing multiple components.
On the other hand, if you’re an audiophile or simply want a more traditional hi-fi experience, the turntable + amplifier + passive speakers setup gives you room to grow and customise your system.
No matter which route you choose, setting up a vinyl system is a deeply satisfying experience that rewards you with rich, warm sound.
Vinyl has a way of making music feel more alive, and with the right equipment, you’ll be able to enjoy it to the fullest!
