Record players are back in style, and the new models have more bells and whistles than the last generation of record lovers could have imagined.

However, the classic, simpler models often provide better bang for your buck.

Your record player will never be a replacement for your six-CD changer, because most of what’s available today are single-play turntables, said Gary Lahmers, director of audio merchandise at Canton-based Tweeter. And that’s a good thing.

“Some people remember the days of stacking records,” he said. “But it’s been determined that stacking records is bad for them.”

Lahmers said customers should also stay away from turntables that start playing at the press of a button. He advises looking for a manual player that requires its owner to place each record on the turntable, move the needle onto it to play, and lift the needle off when the music stops.

“Manual is always better because any time you introduce a force onto a turntable, it’s going to subtract from the performance,” he said.

The feature that really sets apart modern turntables is the USB output, said Lahmers. People can now record their old albums onto their computers, and listen to the music through any portable device.

“People are discovering that number one, their music sounds better on vinyl, and number two, it stores well,” he said.

Younger people who are new to listening to records often choose a portable player with built-in speakers, said Jessica Rice, assistant manager at Newbury Comics in Braintree, which sells several models.

“A lot of people who are just starting out buy the portable one because they can hook it up to their computer speakers and be ready to go,” she said. “It all depends on what you’re going to be using it for.”

Lahmers said that turntables can run from about $200 to more than $1,000, with most models costing less than $400. Tweeter’s turntable sales jump during the holiday shopping season, and Lahmers doesn’t expect this year to be any different.

“They were kind of getting hot last year and the year before,” he said. “This year, there’s a lot of excitement in the marketplace.”

Julie Onufrak may be reached at jonufrak@ledger.com.

Tips for the care and handling of records

• Do not use paper or cardboard inner sleeves and do not store records without inner sleeves.  Use soft polyethylene inner sleeves. Do not use record sleeves made of PVC.
• Remove grooved discs from the jacket (with the inner sleeve) by bowing the jacket open by holding it against the body and applying a slight pressure with a hand. Pull the disc out by holding a corner of the inner sleeve. Avoid pressing down onto the disc with the fingers as because any dust caught between the sleeve and the disc will be pressed into the grooves.
• Remove discs from the inner sleeve by bowing the inner sleeve and letting it slip gradually into an open hand so that the edge falls on the inside of the thumb knuckle. The middle finger should reach for the center label. Never reach into the sleeve.
• To hold a disc, place the thumb on the edge of the disc, and the rest of the fingers of the same hand on the center label for balance. Use both hands on the edge to place disc on turntable.

Source: www.vinylengine.com