Belt-Drive vs. Direct-Drive Turntables: What's the Difference?

November 3, 2022

In a world full of digital music, from MP3s and CDs to streaming platforms and more, it’s hard to remember that analog music actually sounds better than digital. And when people discover the magic of the old fashion vinyl records, many assumptions come along with that too. Chief among them is that you’ll get better sound if you pay more for a turntable. It makes sense on a certain level, but it’s not always the case. Attached to this notion is the confusion between the types of turntables you can buy: belt-drive and direct drive. In our top story, Review Geek news editor, Andrew Heinzman, explains this difference and gives you some tips about which one you should buy for your home.

Other Highlights:

• Review Geek contributor, Dave McQuilling, gives you his thoughts on the new Meta Quest Pro VR headset.
• Elgato releases the world’s first 4K, 60fps webcam.
• DVI launches Mavic 3 Classic at a reasonable price.
• … and more.

-Danny

Most people start their vinyl journey with a cheap belt-drive turntable. But when it’s time to upgrade, they discover something new—expensive direct-drive turntables. They cost more money, so they must be better, right? The answer is a bit more complicated than you’d expect. Read More »

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To celebrate its 60th anniversary, Audio-Technica is launching a collection of limited-edition turntables, headphones, and cartridges. But most notably, this collection includes the “Sound Burger,” a famous portable turntable originally produced in the early 1980s. Read More »

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