Vinyl turntables have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity recently. If you’re interested in music, you’ll have seen many of your favourite artists and stores advertising and selling them – with great success. But why have vinyl turntables made a comeback and should you invest in one? Read on to find out. 

The history of turntables

To understand turntables it helps to understand their history. In 1887, Emile Berliner created the first device that recorded and played back sound using a flat disc – it was this design that would foreshadow the records of the future. From this period until 1970, records and record players continually improved and became the standard format for purchasing and listening to your favourite music. However, after this point, the technology began to plateau. More practical and convenient mediums became available: cassettes were improved upon by CDs before digital music on your phone and streaming became the most popular format in the current day. 

Increase in sales

However, over the last decade vinyl has been making a resurgence. By 2020, records became more profitable than CDs for the first time in 30 years. Indeed, stats show that one in five of all albums purchased in the UK are now vinyl. With vinyl returning to the mainstream, many people are keen to find out about its appeal and what’s powered this rise. 

Why have they made a comeback?

Sound quality

For a start, many experts believe that vinyl turntables have a better sound quality than any other format. CDs and digital recordings can be played louder, but vinyl carries a richer, more life-like quality to its sound. In the 90s, consumers preferred the louder recordings, but over time, most people have decided that they prefer the authenticity of vinyl recordings. 

Collecting vinyl

Vinyl’s resurgence has also been powered by the idea of collecting music. In modern times, we can easily feel more detached from the music we love: if all your music exists on your laptop, it feels less like you own it. Instead, vinyl offers you a material reminder of the music you love as you collect more records. What’s more, with large, lavish covers, vinyl showcases the beautiful album artwork of your favourite artists.

Enjoying albums

Finally, when you listen to vinyl, you listen to albums in full. This can take you on a musical journey, allowing you to appreciate your favourite artists more – many people now prefer this approach to shuffling through a playlist. 

The resurgence of vinyl can seem confusing from a distance. But through their enhanced sound quality, the enjoyment of collecting and the listening experience, you can see why this traditional medium is thriving.