Turntable receivers are comparing to mothers in our family. You all know how mother's play a crucial role in the family. Also, there is an important component in the turntable family too; it is nothing but a turntable receiver. Receivers bridge the gap between a turntable and speaker. I mean, receivers have built-in amplifiers that strengthen the turntable output signal before connecting to a speaker.
Some turntables do come with built-in amps. However, if you want better sound effects, then external receivers are supreme and highly recommended. To suit your different purposes and budget, I have shortlisted the best receivers here.
If you want a device just to amplify your vinyl audio signal, then getting a stereo amp for turntable will be an ideal option. But if you want a device with multiple functions, including amplifier, tuner, radio, volume controls, input selection, and more, continue reading this guide.
You will not find the need to surf through another website to get information about these as I will discuss each model in detail. Are you ready to begin? Get set, go.
BEST RECEIVER FOR TURNTABLES
1. YAMAHA R-N303BL - BEST TURNTABLE STEREO RECEIVER
PRODUCT DETAILS
How many of you’ve got Alexa at your homes? Most assuredly, it will be a yes. Well, you know something, this receiver from Yamaha allows voice control with Amazon Alexa.
This two-channel receiver is one of the must have turntable accessories that comes loaded with many features. Imagine you take a census of 100 people; say there are 50 who like wireless technology. It doesn’t mean the rest don’t like it. They may or may not be a lover of wireless technology. So, to satisfy both categories of people, this Yamaha R-N303BL allows both wired and wireless connections.
The wireless connections include the features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, airplay, etc. At the same time, the wired connections have the traditional left/right speaker output connections, dedicated phono input to enable voice control with Alexa, an optical input to plug in your TV,3 RCA inputs, an ethernet port, and an RCA output.
On the front side of this device, you will find a power button along with other dedicated control buttons for volume, bass, treble, and speaker buttons. You can also hook up your headphones into the jack output for private listening.
With the recent technology of music apps such as Spotify, Pandora, Napster, everyone wants to go digital. Surprisingly, this feature also ensured in the receiver but not using HDMI/USB ports. Yes, this receiver does not provide HDMI/USB connectivity, but by installing the MusicCast app on your smartphone, you can stream your favorite songs and music wirelessly.
Note: MusicCast is an audio-streaming app for Yamaha products. Using this app, you can control your Yamaha soundbars, receivers, and speakers.
Finally, I know you will have one main question on your mind. Is it possible to connect a turntable with this receiver? Yes, you can, and the setup is too simple. Drop a needle with the phono input terminal that connects this receiver onto your turntable. You can also use Bluetooth to achieve this connection.
As mentioned above, this receiver allows stereo speaker connections but does not support subwoofer connectivity. However, this drawback is negligible when compared to the amazing features it ensures. Hence, it is listed here as the best receiver for turntables.
Pros
Cons
2) PYLE PDA4BU - Best Home Audio Receiver System
PRODUCT DETAILS
Want to give a rocking karaoke party in your family session? Then it would be best if you hooked up this receiver with your turntable. I guess that most of you must be aware of the Pyle brand. If not, I’ll tell you in a nutshell.
Pyle is a well-known brand, best for its audio components such as amplifiers, turntables, record players, speakers, etc. So you can expect the ultimate sound performance with this best receiver for turntables.
Before getting to know about its standard features, let me introduce the devices’ unique features. Firstly, when you talk about karaoke sessions, you should definitely need a Mic. To give this aside, this receiver has two ¼” microphone inputs with excellent functions. Not only that, unlike the Yamaha R-N303BL, this receiver allows USB/SD card support and also has AUX input.
It has various connectivity options like optical input, phono input, coaxial input, and two RCA input jacks. The in-built Bluetooth has excellent connectivity of up to 40+ feet. Likewise, the output connections available include a headphone output jack for private listening, banana output plugs, and one pair of RCA output jacks.
It supports MP3/WAV audio files so that you can enjoy music in all possible ways. It works with all the latest devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and PC.
Like most turntable receivers, this too allows adjustment of bass, treble, and Mic volume. So, the next time the lot falls on you to hoard a karaoke party, make sure you equip this receiver with your turntable to rock your audience.
Pros
Cons
3) DENON PMA-1600NE - Best Receiver With Advanced features
PRODUCT DETAILS
Some of you would invest in only high-end products?. The reason obvious; High-end devices give better performance when compared to moderate/low-priced devices. The Denon PMA-1600NE is one such high-end receiver. Now, let us see whether it convinces your mind to purchase it.
Denon PMA-1600NE receiver powers the broadest range of speakers (70W in 8 ohms & 140W in 4 ohms), and it provides dynamic sounds. So, the amplifier is equipped with the Advanced UHC(Ulta-High Current) MOS technology to balance both high power and sound clarity.
One prominent feature of this receiver includes a built-in phono preamp compatible with MC and MM cartridges. Not only that, you can disengage the digital circuitry using the Analog Mode. Also, It has the Advanced AL32 Processing Plus feature, which utilizes unique data interpolation algorithms, and it helps to support the high-resolution 384-kHz/32-bit PCM signal inputs.
The output slots of this best receiver for turntables include RCA output jacks, a headphone output jack, whereas the input slots include RCA inputs, two optical, one coaxial input, and one phono input.
If you don’t possess a subwoofer, no issues, as this receiver features an Integrated Stereo Amplifier with a direct source button, you can enjoy the same dynamic sounds. Overall, this is the best buying choice for those who would like to invest in high-range receivers.
Pros
Cons
4) SONY STRDH190 - best receiver with smart bluetooth options
PRODUCT DETAILS
With this modern receiver, you can easily connect your analog devices such as turntables, speakers, CD players, etc. It has four stereo RCA audio line-level inputs, and it also has a dedicated phono input feature for connecting a turntable easily.
This receiver is built with smart Bluetooth connectivity. Not only can you wirelessly stream or play the music from other Bluetooth devices. By using the Bluetooth Standby feature, you can turn on your STR- DH190 receiver remotely. And you can playback and control your music with voice assistant speakers such as Amazon Alexa.
Its in-built discreet amplifier gives the high power and excellent sound experience. The technology behind this design features a large-capacity power transformer to achieve fuller sounds with minimal distortion.
Generally, receivers provide Bluetooth compatibility to stream music wirelessly. But this receiver is different as it not only does that but also switches on your receiver via smartphone/tablet by using the Bluetooth standby function.
Note: You can pair to only one Bluetooth device at a time and not both. I would say that this is as great as the receivers as mentioned above. Comparing to other picks, its price range is around 200 dollars and it works really great.
Pros
Cons
5) CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AXR100 - Best receiver For EXcellent Sound Experience
PRODUCT DETAILS
If you are looking for a moderately-priced yet quality receiver for your turntables, then consider this receiver. Although this best receiver for turntables belongs to the Company’s introductory series, it’s loaded with massive features. First, this 100 W amplifier is backed up by a power supply that uses a toroidal transformer.
This receiver ensures less space, low noise level, and mainly durability. Unlike most turntable receivers, this has a dedicated subwoofer output port for a perfect home theater experience. As we are concerned with receivers for turntables. Let me get back to it. You can use the receivers’ built-in phono stage to connect to your turntable directly.
It is equipped with an FM/AM tuner and a built-in Bluetooth receiver for wireless streaming. This amplifier features input slots such as three sets of RCA inputs, two phono inputs, a 3.5mm stereo input. The output connections using an RCA output jack, subwoofer out, and a headphone jack output.
Note: You cannot connect this receiver to your laptop as it does not support a USB Type-B port. From my point of view, this is a great buying option for those who have a budget range above 500 dollars. Get one soon!
Pros
Cons
6) SHERWOOD RX5502 - best Dual-Zone Stereo Receiver
PRODUCT DETAILS
The sixth product in our list of best receiver for turntables is the Sherwood RX5502. A perfect receiver for small or medium crowds. Unlike most receivers used for turntables, this is a step high. The reason is that it has four speaker channels. Meaning you can directly connect four pairs of speakers to this receiver.
Make sure the speaker’s impedance is 8 ohms for proper sound amplification. The devices’ front panel consists of a large black LED screen and controls for adjusting the sound effects such as volume, tonal effects, tonal balance and a power switch. Other than these, there are also other dedicated controls available.
On the backside of the device, you will find four pairs of speaker outputs, an AUX input, and one pair of phono input. You can use these phono inputs for achieving a connection between your turntable and receiver.
This receiver does not feature Bluetooth, USB port and WiFi. However, if you are looking for a simple conventional receiver for your turntables with speaker outputs, phono inputs and AUX facility, you can go for this.
Pros
Cons
how to choose the right receiver for turntable
AM/FM Presets
If you’re living in a rural area, make sure the FM antenna of your receiver is durable. If your device does not ensure this, replace the thin cable wires with a strong FM antenna. Otherwise, the tuner will find it difficult to grab the signal, and hence you will not be able to hear loud, clear sounds from the radio.
If you live in an urban area and wish to be updated with the daily news, and FM with around 40 presets is desirable to easily tune into your favorite channel with a single button click.
NOTE: If your turntable has an in-built FM, you needn’t worry about the receivers’ AM/FM presets. But, if not, then make sure the external receiver you purchase has these features.
ANALOG PHONO INPUTS
Here, we will be discussing the necessities of RCA cables, built-in preamps.
These days most of the receivers come with RCA jacks. However, for the safer side, make sure they are present in the turntable receiver. With the use of RCA cables, so you can connect CD players, cassettes and turntables easily to the receiver.
Next comes the importance of built-in phono preamps. A receiver with a built-in phono preamp is supreme as it will amplify the signal from your turntable before connecting to a speaker. This will ensure high-quality sound reproduction.
When it comes to audiophiles, they prefer a standalone phono stage rather than receivers or in-built preamps. The main reason is that internal preamps' quality is not generally as high as external phono preamps, and they don't produce the same result. Of course, there are some exceptions, but they are rare. Hence when you get a receiver, check the quality of the preamp to get the merely expected sound quality.
DIGITAL INPUTS
These include coaxial cables, optical cables, USB jack, HDMI port and Ethernet port. If your receiver is equipped with these facilities, then you can be sure of receiving clear and crisp sounds from your turntable.
With the use of optical cables, you can plug your TV into the receiver. With the USB port, you can use your smartphones /laptops. The type-B USB inputs are ideal for connecting a receiver to a PC and a flash drive. If you want a receiver for home use, it’s ok with a receiver without HDMI or Ethernet ports. But make sure they do have optical cables, coaxial cables and a USB jack.
RECEIVER OUTPUTS
The most essential and must-have output terminals a turntable receiver should possess are the speaker terminals. They can be spring-clip connectors, binding posts or even banana plugs. Secondly, make sure the receiver for your turntable has line-level RCA outputs. This will allow you to set up the 2nd zone with another stereo amplifier or two stereo speakers positioned in the next room(multi-room capability).
If you want to enjoy a home theater environment with proper bass effects, RCA jacks are critical. So make sure the receiver has one RCA output named SUB. Adding to it, as subwoofer cables are heavily shielded, noise and distortion are almost nullified.
These days we don’t find one channel receivers. 2 channel or four-channel receivers give you more provision of directly connecting two to four sets of speakers to the receiver.
NOTE: Various sources cannot be played in both left and right speaker locations. For private listening, make sure the receiver has a headphone jack.
DURABILITY & WARRANTY
Make sure the materials used in the unit’s construction are durable. Try to purchase receivers that have a longer warranty period.
Bluetooth Compatibility and wifi control
These features give a dynamic experience to the users. As you already know, in-built Bluetooth allows wireless streaming of music from your smartphone, laptops to the receiver. This is a kind of receiving output signals using a Bluetooth
However, If you wish to transmit Bluetooth signal from your receiver to Bluetooth speakers, please make sure you have a Bluetooth transmitter as most receivers don’t have this. Mainly, to connect your turntable with an external receiver via Bluetooth, you need a phono preamp and a Bluetooth transmitter. And, lastly, if the receiver has WiFi control, then you can enjoy a hi-fi experience.
CONCLUSION
Hey, this brings you to the end of this article. I hope my list of best receiver for turntables has added some value. Having the buyer’s guide in mind, choose your appropriate receiver wisely. Only after rigorous research about these receivers, I’ve listed them here so you can trust me completely. Do share your valuable feedback about this article in the comment section below. Great day!
FAQ
The answer is, it depends on your turntables. Yes, most of the Hi-Fi systems need receivers to produce an excellent music experience. Most of the receivers integrate your entire audio systems and home theaters - it gives incredible sound quality. Receivers come into play to amplify the sounds from the turntables.
Most of the stereo receivers have the transformer on the left side, so placing the turntable on the right side of the receiver is highly recommended. Please do not place your turntable on top of your receiver because it will cause buzz issues. Better consider getting a record player cabinet to set your turntable, receiver and records in an organized manner.
Many home theater receivers already have in-built preamp features. So buying an individual preamp isn't necessary. However, if you're a dedicated audiophile and want to get the best out of your setup, then investing in a preamp would be a great idea.
Gibson is a blogger and reviewer, whose passion is helping people with all the aspects of music through the blog he provides. Also, he is an artist and loves to create his own tunes by purchasing good quality musical tools. With his own experience, he has provided a great list of tools for you in this blog. Seeking the best quality musical tools? Read this blog and end your music thirst!