How to Listen to Vinyl in 2026
Note from 2026:
Very little was changed from when we originally wrote this in 2023. Whilst vinyl has not had another year of massive 69% growth, it continues to grow year-on-year, into its 19th year. We have updated this post to add a few more options to consider as you grow (or rediscover) your vinyl collection.
According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the number of vinyl records sold increased by 69% in 2021. Unlike digital music and CDs, it is not simple to ‘rip’ or transform your vinyl to another format – and you wouldn’t want to. You are listening to the vinyl for the way it authentically sounds.
This raises the question of what you are using to enjoy your records. A basic turntable may suffice to bring sound out of your vinyl but what are the options to extract even more detail from the record grooves? By obtaining as much detail as possible from the source, your hi-fi system is amplifying a better quality signal for your musical enjoyment.
Linn Majik LP12
Your first step into quality hi-fi with the iconic Linn Sondek LP12. With Linn's founding 'source first' principle, your turntable is integral to extracting the most information from the record grooves to reproduce sound as close as possible to what the artist intended.
Linn’s Majik LP12 has been the entry point for our long-time Linn clients’ Sondek LP12. The Majik configuration is a compelling offering for enjoying your vinyl collection today with endless potential to upgrade as you continue on your hi-fi journey.
From Linn / Sondek LP12
The Linn Sondek LP12 is one of the longest products on the hi-fi market, the original Sondek LP12 was released in the 1970s. Over the years, Linn’s continued investment into improving an already game-changing piece of home audio equipment.
LP12s are modular and upgradable for a turntable that can grow with you during your hi-fi journey. When it is time to upgrade your turntable, you can upgrade the tonearm, bearing housing, motor, and more without entirely replacing it. Sondek LP12s from the 70s are upgradable to the latest configurations.
The Majik LP12 is Linn’s entry-level offering for music lovers. It is positioned to take advantage of the latest releases from Linn, equipped with the Karousel bearing housing for smooth and consistent platter rotation and the upgraded Krane tonearm. You can choose an Adikt moving magnet or Koil moving coil cartridge.
At Audio Genesis, we have been a Linn specialist for over 40 years and have experience in Sondek LP12s of all different stages. You can audition the different levels of LP12s, including the Majik LP12 with us in Sydney.
Rega Planar 1 Plus
All the features of the award-winning Planar 1 turntable with the addition of a built-in high quality MM phono stage, making this the ultimate ‘Plug and Play’ turntable.
Key Features:
Integrated high quality Rega MM phono stage
RB110 tonearm with ultra-low friction play bearings
Factory fitted Rega Carbon moving magnet cartridge
EBLT advanced drive belt
Phenolic resin, flywheel effect platter
High quality, 24 V low noise synchronous motor
From Rega
Rega Research rejoined our brand lineup last year, filling our gap of quality entry-level turntables. We have always considered Rega to provide an unmatched value proposition for those starting their vinyl journey and are looking for a quality system that can grow with them.
After all, Rega's philosophy is that every product is designed to achieve the best musical performance and deliver a lifetime of enjoyment at an affordable price.
Rega's Planar turntables are no-frills-attached setup - it is extremely flexible to the layout of your room, you can position the Planar turntable almost anywhere, ensure the surface is level, and you will get excellent vinyl reproduction.
The Planar 1 Plus comes equipped with a built-in phonostage, ideal for amplifiers that might not have one built in.
Source: Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) 2020 to 2025 Year End Reports
Technics SL-1200GR
Technics SL-1200GR
The Technics SL-1200 has an established reputation for direct-drive turntables, with over 3 million sold. Returning to the market in 2016, the SL-1200G combined Technics’ traditional analogue and advanced digital technology with trickle-down improvements introduced into the SL-1200GR.
Direct drive turntables ensures consistent platter rotation speed with the motor mounted directly underneath.
Rega Planar 3
Replacing the multi award winning What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year (RP3) was never going to be an easy task. It took Rega’s team of designers headed up by Roy Gandy, two years to develop the all new ‘Planar 3’ following the biggest re-design of the iconic ‘Three’ model ever seen. The ‘Planar 3’ is a completely new turntable carrying over just two components from the previous RP model.
Key Features:
What Hi-Fi? Product of the year 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021. 2024
RB330 precision tonearm
Double brace technology
24 V low noise, low vibration motor
12 mm float glass opti-white polished platter
Advanced EBLT drive belt
From Rega
Rega turntables surprise in its ability to reproduce high-quality sound without the need for a suspended base. Instead, the Planar 3 uses a lightweight acrylic laminated plinth and a brace system that increases rigidity between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing.
This rigid plinth design prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonance, which will add unnatural distortions to the music.
Conclusion
There are many options for turntables for you to select from. The best way to choose the right one for you is to listen to your vinyl on the turntable for yourself. If possible, audition the turntable on a home audio system comparable to the one you use to give you a guide for its musical reproduction when you take it home.