Top 10 best looking vintage record players

We admit it: appearance matters to us almost as much as performance. Maybe even a little more. Call us superficial, accuse us of being distracted by design, or tell us we’re overlooking the real purpose of a record player. It won’t change our opinion that a great turntable should also be beautiful to look at. For us, a big part of the vinyl experience is enjoying the way the equipment looks and feels.

With that in mind, we’ve put together ten record players that impress us visually as much as they do sonically. The selection includes classic vintage turntables as well as more contemporary designs, so there should be something here to suit nearly every personal style.

Bogen B52

The Bogen B52 is a vintage beauty that combines impressive sound with wonderful mid-century modern character. Its genuine wood frame is paired with a substantial metal platter and sturdy metal body, giving it a substantial presence. Its overall appearance reminds us of the turntables produced by Shinola in collaboration with VPI.

We appreciate both its appearance and its performance. We found ours through someone specializing in refurbished equipment, and it has been a reliable companion during cold Minnesota winters. Finding one, however, is another story. Information about Bogen’s old record players is surprisingly scarce online. The company apparently focuses on commercial audio equipment today, making these vintage models increasingly difficult to track down.

DUAL 621

We have a serious appreciation for Dual turntables here at Deep Cut. We currently own three and are always tempted to add another. The DUAL 621 captures everything that was appealing about turntable design in 1978 while adding the convenience available at the time.

This model is fully automatic and features a distinctive platter pattern that lets you visually observe the platter speed. Its wood veneer cabinet and straightforward, angular construction fit perfectly with our preferred aesthetic.

There is also a personal connection to this particular turntable. It originally belonged to a grandfather-in-law, and it still carries its handwritten original price tag: $398 in 1978.

U-Turn Orbit Special in Walnut

If you've ever searched online for a turntable, chances are you've encountered U-Turn. Founded in 2012, the company played a significant role in helping vinyl become popular again. Its combination of minimalist styling and quality components produces turntables that perform as well as they look, while remaining surprisingly accessible in price.

Our personal favorite is the Orbit Special with its walnut base, which has appeared in several of our photographs. U-Turn also provides numerous wood and acrylic base options in everything from understated neutrals to more vivid colors. Whether you prefer something restrained or something that demands attention, there is plenty of room to personalize the look.

SpinBase and SpinDeck Combination

With this setup, the appeal comes from the complete package rather than the turntable alone. Andover Audio’s SpinDeck is a capable turntable, although it is difficult to argue that it dramatically outperforms other good models in the same price range.

The interesting part is what happens when you combine it with the SpinBase speaker. The SpinBase is a compact speaker that also functions as the platform beneath the turntable.

Unlike conventional speakers that generally perform best when aimed directly toward the listener, the SpinBase produces a 270-degree sound field. That means you can move around the room without losing the quality of the sound. It is especially convenient when you want to listen to a record while getting up and moving around the house.

The entire system provides impressive sound while taking up remarkably little space.

Denon DP-45F

Like one of the final great machines from a disappearing era, the Denon DP-45F was an impressive piece of equipment when it appeared in the early 1980s, shortly before CDs took over the audio world.

It is large, angular, and unmistakably tied to the design language of the 1980s. The wood veneer is perhaps a little too glossy, the shapes are unapologetically severe, and the overall look could easily be described as classic 80s excess. And that's precisely why we love it.

Fortunately, it isn't just about appearances. The DP-45F sounds excellent and was positioned just below commercial-grade equipment in terms of audio performance at the time. It is a smooth, fully automatic turntable that is enjoyable to operate and fascinating to watch. Its mechanical movements are controlled and precise rather than abrupt or clumsy.

Our affection for this particular model is also personal because ours was passed down from a parent.

Shinola Runwell Player

We have always had a weakness for designs that combine simplicity with elegance, especially when American manufacturing is involved. The Shinola Runwell turntable, produced by VPI, fits that description perfectly.

This is a straightforward turntable that concentrates on performing a small number of functions exceptionally well. As Bob Hazelwood of Andover Audio has pointed out, fewer features can also mean fewer components that have the potential to fail.

The Runwell follows that philosophy with a relatively simple collection of high-quality components. And then there is the substantial solid-wood plinth, which gives the entire player an unmistakably luxurious appearance.

The design is closely related to VPI’s entry-level turntables. Of course, VPI also produces considerably more expensive models that look capable of accomplishing something worthy of a science-fiction movie.

Marantz 6300

The Marantz 6300 looks like someone's vision of the future from several decades ago. Almost every aspect of its construction feels like a design choice that would be unlikely to appear on a modern turntable.

There is the substantial plinth, the oversized feet, the mechanical housing that resembles a large aluminum racing stripe, and, naturally, an impressive collection of buttons. Looking at it, you might find yourself wondering whether you are about to play a record or operate a piece of sophisticated machinery.

That unusual appearance is exactly what gives the Marantz 6300 its appeal. It looks completely different from contemporary turntables, but that doesn't mean its designers lacked a sense of proportion or style. We particularly appreciate the balanced shape and its soft, understated color palette.

And because it carries the Marantz name, it sounds excellent too.

DUAL 1245 Custom

We have already established our enthusiasm for Dual turntables, particularly those made during the 1970s. Their combination of chunky analog styling and excellent sound is difficult for us to resist. Unlike the Bogen B52, vintage Dual models are also relatively easy to find. You can still come across them through online marketplaces or local hi-fi stores.

This particular DUAL 1245, however, is completely unique. It is a custom Deep Cut creation.

Our head maker, Rob, brought home a Dual that was in pretty rough condition. While opening the deck to clean and restore its internal mechanisms, the original plinth unfortunately collapsed. Rather than giving up on it, he built an entirely new enclosure from rich walnut hardwood.

He also added a new dust cover, replaced the cartridge, and restored the entire mechanism until the turntable was operating beautifully and quietly again.

The result was essentially a complete transformation. This fortunate Dual received a custom makeover that we suspect has left many of its vintage siblings feeling envious.

Pioneer PL-530

The Pioneer PL-530 is another vintage favorite, dating from 1976 and featuring the kind of wood-look base that we clearly have a weakness for.

Its substantial construction resembles a chunky butcher block, surrounded by brushed aluminum trim and topped with a large platter featuring the familiar timing pattern. Everything about it feels substantial and deliberate.

It is the sort of turntable that becomes a statement piece simply by sitting in the room. And the statement is pretty straightforward: this turntable looks fantastic.

It is also fully automatic, which only adds to its appeal.

Thorens TD-160

First released in 1972, the Thorens TD-160 became an important fixture in the hi-fi world for the next couple of decades. By contemporary standards, its thick platter, substantial base, and strong rectangular forms give it an almost brutalist character.

We happen to love those proportions.

As with the Marantz 6300, the color combination is another major attraction. The muted aluminum, cherrywood trim, and slightly faded black details create a restrained appearance that has aged extremely well.

Of course, the TD-160 isn't merely attractive. It sounds fantastic. Thorens represented one of the highest standards in vinyl hi-fi during its prime, so its reputation is supported by plenty of substance.

Still, sometimes the simplest argument is the best one: just look at it.

Our Favorite Turntables

Those are ten record players we would happily add to our collections. The problem is that we don't actually have enough space—or any real need—for all of them. That doesn't stop us from wanting them anyway.

So now we're curious: which turntables do you most enjoy looking at and listening to? We’re always happy to discover more beautiful machines to admire.