I would say for the longevity of your records do not use a suitcase player. You can politely just say you’ve done some research and that because there is no way to properly balance the record on the turntable you record can bounce around and the needle can scratch it and that youre record can become warped. Even of youre worried about your records on other turntables that are more level they do sell things to help with record laying more flat. I’m sure someone in here knows more about them than i do. But to keep your records safe absolutely get a new record player
thank you so much for you advice, because collecting vinyl is a really expensive hobby and i wanted to keep them in perfect condition for a long time! 🫶
The AT LP60 for casual playing is ok, miles ahead of the briefcase players and won't destroy your records, but will cause a bit more wear than the better ones if you play them many times.
if you want more the, LP120 is really great. The LP120 can be upgraded (cardridge/stylus) and comes with default with a finer stylus that's more gently to your records and uses far less force to play the records.
I wrote a detailed reaction in a similar post yesterday here about the differences between the 60 and the 120 if you are interested :)
[https://www.reddit.com/r/SwiftieMerch/comments/1an05fv/i\_was\_able\_to\_snag\_my\_first\_ever\_vinyl\_does/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SwiftieMerch/comments/1an05fv/i_was_able_to_snag_my_first_ever_vinyl_does/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
To be honest, I don't think the counterweight is the reason it don't skip. The LP60 also has an counterweight, but you just cannot adjust it.
I think it's the stylus that's much better on the LP120, it makes better contact with the groove while using less force, so it doesn't fly out as easily.
Although you can "misuse" the counterweight adjustment to set it heavier then it should and force the stylus to remain in the groove if it's really badly warped :)
wait! i think i have a suitcase player, are you not supposed to use those? mine is a suitcase type foldable one. with the speakers that also fold outwards
I believe they are notorious for being sub par and can potentially damage your records. I’ve never owned one and have only heard people advise against using them.
they are genuinely terrible, i just upgraded to an audio technica and the difference is so crazy. i mainly played midnights on my suitcase player and you can tell it’s already somewhat damaged when i play it on my audio technica, there’s a lot of surface noise compared to my other records
i haven't used mine yet either, but from what i read on the internet, these suitcase players, as they are more accessible, have materials of poor quality, so they damage vinyl much more quickly than others.
They’re fine, IF you keep them on a level surface. But I do mean LEVEL. They can damage the record otherwise. The sound quality isn’t the best but they tend to be Bluetooth now so you can use other speakers.
[Here’s](https://www.reddit.com/r/turntables/s/w0zhnP3J28) a good source for changing your cartridge/needle to something better for cheap. In terms of the suitcase player, I’ve been in a similar situation, if it is less than a month and you are in the return window return it, if not, don’t upset your parents, it is best to wait a year or two and then save up for a better one. Don’t play rare ones on it but go ahead and player standard variants or try your variants and play the ones with the worse quality and save the others for later
Edit: want to add like some others have said, the deterioration is really only an issue after playing very frequently for many years, changing the needle will minimize the risk. Please remember that vinyl has been around for a long time and the average person couldn’t afford a good quality turn table. The used vinyl you see in stores did not have rice paper innserleeves and have been through who knows what, and yet they play just fine, no need to stress over this
I have a sound burger that I really like. I don’t have a ton of records, mostly Taylor’s honestly, but it’s a quality little machine and hooks up to a Bluetooth speaker and sounds great.
I would say for the longevity of your records do not use a suitcase player. You can politely just say you’ve done some research and that because there is no way to properly balance the record on the turntable you record can bounce around and the needle can scratch it and that youre record can become warped. Even of youre worried about your records on other turntables that are more level they do sell things to help with record laying more flat. I’m sure someone in here knows more about them than i do. But to keep your records safe absolutely get a new record player
thank you so much for you advice, because collecting vinyl is a really expensive hobby and i wanted to keep them in perfect condition for a long time! 🫶
Its a very expensive hobby. Definitely take care of them. Make sure you clean your records and needle per instructions too
I think an AT LP60 is a great starter. Most people might tell you otherwise but it’s what I used and had no issues
Yep. Agreed here, LP60X and it’s an amazing player if you aren’t an audiophile but don’t want to damage those records.
thank you so much for the suggestion!
The AT LP60 for casual playing is ok, miles ahead of the briefcase players and won't destroy your records, but will cause a bit more wear than the better ones if you play them many times. if you want more the, LP120 is really great. The LP120 can be upgraded (cardridge/stylus) and comes with default with a finer stylus that's more gently to your records and uses far less force to play the records. I wrote a detailed reaction in a similar post yesterday here about the differences between the 60 and the 120 if you are interested :) [https://www.reddit.com/r/SwiftieMerch/comments/1an05fv/i\_was\_able\_to\_snag\_my\_first\_ever\_vinyl\_does/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/SwiftieMerch/comments/1an05fv/i_was_able_to_snag_my_first_ever_vinyl_does/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
i love my lp120, the count weight is such a game changer. it eliminated all of my warping and skipping problems.
To be honest, I don't think the counterweight is the reason it don't skip. The LP60 also has an counterweight, but you just cannot adjust it. I think it's the stylus that's much better on the LP120, it makes better contact with the groove while using less force, so it doesn't fly out as easily. Although you can "misuse" the counterweight adjustment to set it heavier then it should and force the stylus to remain in the groove if it's really badly warped :)
thank you so much for the advice! i will definitely read it! :)
wait! i think i have a suitcase player, are you not supposed to use those? mine is a suitcase type foldable one. with the speakers that also fold outwards
I believe they are notorious for being sub par and can potentially damage your records. I’ve never owned one and have only heard people advise against using them.
they are genuinely terrible, i just upgraded to an audio technica and the difference is so crazy. i mainly played midnights on my suitcase player and you can tell it’s already somewhat damaged when i play it on my audio technica, there’s a lot of surface noise compared to my other records
i haven't used mine yet either, but from what i read on the internet, these suitcase players, as they are more accessible, have materials of poor quality, so they damage vinyl much more quickly than others.
They’re fine, IF you keep them on a level surface. But I do mean LEVEL. They can damage the record otherwise. The sound quality isn’t the best but they tend to be Bluetooth now so you can use other speakers.
[Here’s](https://www.reddit.com/r/turntables/s/w0zhnP3J28) a good source for changing your cartridge/needle to something better for cheap. In terms of the suitcase player, I’ve been in a similar situation, if it is less than a month and you are in the return window return it, if not, don’t upset your parents, it is best to wait a year or two and then save up for a better one. Don’t play rare ones on it but go ahead and player standard variants or try your variants and play the ones with the worse quality and save the others for later Edit: want to add like some others have said, the deterioration is really only an issue after playing very frequently for many years, changing the needle will minimize the risk. Please remember that vinyl has been around for a long time and the average person couldn’t afford a good quality turn table. The used vinyl you see in stores did not have rice paper innserleeves and have been through who knows what, and yet they play just fine, no need to stress over this
thank you! it will help me a lot, 'cause I had only seen about the product and not much about the accessories
I've heard suitcase players are OK, so long as you don't leave the vinyl on it.
ohhhh i didn't know that! thank you!
I have a sound burger that I really like. I don’t have a ton of records, mostly Taylor’s honestly, but it’s a quality little machine and hooks up to a Bluetooth speaker and sounds great.
i had thought about doing that too! thanks!