All modern vinyl players can be divided into two large groups. Some are offered as a basic design, which can be independently upgraded or modernized during use. Such players are usually designed for experienced music lovers and belong to the high price category. Of course, the result can be excellent if you put in a lot of effort and spend a lot of time and money.
At the same time, the industry produces many models that are ready to work “straight out of the box.” These devices are intended for beginner vinyl players and, as a rule, have a very modest price. It is precisely these class of players that we will now consider in more detail.
Plug in and listen
The plug-and-play player is equipped with everything you need to listen to vinyl. Of course, we will not consider here the magic “suitcases” with built-in speakers, as they do not belong to the Hi-Fi category. Therefore, readiness to play records means the ability to connect the player to any audio system the music lover has, equipped with a standard analog input.
Turntables are equipped with a cartridge whose position is precisely adjusted at the factory. For an inexperienced user, who still shudders at the words “Bayerwald’s protractor”, this is a real salvation. But usually such a pickup is a very entry-level model, and its replacement is still only a matter of time (and gaining the appropriate experience).
Furthermore, such a player should have not only a built-in sound pickup, but also a built-in phono corrector. This device processes the signal taken from the record in such a way that it can be fed to an external audio device for further amplification and listening through speakers. Built-in circuits are often implemented according to the principle of “just so long as it works”, although they certainly cope with their tasks. Therefore, there is usually a button to turn off this circuit, so that if desired, you can use an external corrector.
And in general, given the affordable cost, the design of plug-and-play devices is usually carried out with an emphasis on economy, which limits the possibility of obtaining truly high-quality sound.
Choosing a Plug-and-Play Player
All of the above applies to most models of this class on the market. But there are exceptions. One of these players that breaks the established stereotypes is the T2 Super Phono from Pro-Ject. Let’s see what a plug-and-play device designed for serious music lovers can (and should) be like.
First of all, the player impresses with its size. It has an enlarged chassis, naturally made of MDF and equipped with damping supports. This solution is good in itself – more mass means less vibration. But the secret in this case is different: the T2 Super Phono has a 9-inch tonearm, and this is already a sign of a high-class model. Next – the integrated shell is equipped with a Sumiko Rainier cartridge, a serious model from a famous Japanese company. This is not the pickup that you will want to change in the foreseeable future.
A massive glass support platter on a sub-platter with a belt drive is another solution borrowed from serious Hi-Fi models. Here it is supported by vibration isolation of the engine to eliminate noise, a proprietary electronic circuit for stabilization and switching of rotation speed.
And now, perhaps, the most delicious part! The T2 Super Phono has a built-in phono corrector. Not the fact that there is a corrector on board, but its high class. A fairly large compartment is intended for its placement inside the device’s body. And this is no accident. The corrector is made in the form of two independent channels, each of which uses a separate RIAA correction. All components are low-noise and hand-selected for precise frequency response adjustment.
In terms of sound quality, this circuit is quite comparable to the MM section of the Phono Box S3 B phono preamplifier, which has won numerous awards in the specialized press. The retail price of the device in a separate case is comparable to half the cost of the player. Nevertheless, the built-in phono preamplifier is made disconnectable. But this is only in case you ever decide to install an MC cartridge on the device (the T2 Phono class allows this). Note that to connect a player with a built-in phono preamplifier, you need a regular interconnect cable, which significantly expands its choice. Although the included proprietary Connect it Phono cable is very good in this quality.
The important point is that all components of the player must be coordinated with each other. It is quite difficult to do this when upgrading the model yourself. But in the T2 Super Phono this rule is fully met. In fact, you get a ready-made high-class device without the need for its refinement.
