Will a suitcase player DAMAGE your vinyl?

THE show that has been 3 years in the making here on Record-ology! I have defended Crosley Cruiser's, Victrola Suitcase Turntables and others for YEARS. Have I been wrong? Will these actually damage your vinyl as so many say they do? Lets run some tests and find our once and for all!

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[CounterRhythms]

In defense of suitcase players: I have 2 Technics turntables. I love them and would never substitute a suitcase player for them. That being said I also have 2 suitcase players because I just love them for certain applications. Not every record is a priceless artifact that must be played on hi-fi equipment lest the gods weep. I have old records from my childhood that were played on a suitcase player and only sound right to me on one. They're mostly oldies, 50's rock 'n roll and storybook records. I hate how audiophiles turn everything into how they think things should sound. It's not about them but YOU. Playing old records on a suitcase player makes me happy and I don't give a damn if after 100 plays it sounds maybe 5% worse than it did before (and it probably won't).

Suitcase players are fine for what they are. Now get off my lawn.

[ratattalover]

THANK YOU SO MUCH 😊 I have huge anxiety and I just got a suitcase player for Christmas this made me cool down!! I’m subscribing!

[ArminGamer]

I got a limited edition victrola suitcase turntable in christmas 2018, I've got over 20 vinyl records and I play them everyday. I haven't had any issues and I love it. Compared to crosley turntables, It is built a bit better (feels more solid and less plasticky)

[brennanjones]

I got my fiancee a Victrola suitcase player for her birthday and 7 months later it's yet to damage any of our vinyl. It even plays my garage sale and auction find vinyl that's not in the best shape just fine. I'd like to upgrade to a nicer turntable soon, but for now I'm still running the same real one at the end of the video

[GlaciaDay]

There’s no way it’s gonna damage your records. Back in the 40s 50s 60s, tracking force on record players are way higher then what we have right how. I would say as long as you enjoy the music itself, these suitcase record players are perfectly fine for you.

[InTheVoid]

I saved up so much money to get a suitcase record player and got my favorite album in record form just to hear that suitcase record players weren’t good and would KILL your grooves. This made me feel better about the money I spent. To be honest actual record players cost hundreds so 😭.

[samuelrogers]

I got my first turntable, and it's a suitcase player

[superfilmfred]

In the 60's when I was still young people already told the story that cheap plastic and suitcase record players like for example the Wilson Diplomat or the Philips AG4756W that these were bad for your records, these kind of record players would ruin your records, another plastic record player from the Italian brand Wilson from Milan i used to have in my room, and now this philips, neither or any other plastic record player will not damaged the groove or ruined your records.
The story that a Corsley record player ruins your records was also told about other plastic record players decades ago and is not true and is told by manufacturers who want to sell you a much more expensive record player.
The records I used to play on my plastic record player back then are still fine now, So buy what you like and enjoy

[jamesmcdonough]

Could it be said that simply playing a record on any player causes wear?

[macvideomanlive]

Another great video from Record-ology. I have played records in my collection since I was ten on a variety of different record players through the years, and some of those record players were far crappier than my Crosley Cruiser. Overall, they play fine 40+ years later. Most wear is due to poor handling and storage. Keep up the good work.

[THEBATMANAHH]

I think you can find a vid that does a sound comparison. Even though there might not be any physical destruction, you will hear it after 100 or so plays. I recommend going for something like an audio technica LP60 for moderate use. If anyone is serious about records then they really need an LP120 or similar in functionality.

[mathewlloyd]

I've had my suitcase player since Christmas 2019 and I've had no complaints yet. I really appreciate this video.

[youtuber]

I really have been wanting to get one but everyone has been scaring me about it thankyou soooo much! I will defiantly get this 👌🏼

[driversk]

Yelling at people about their turntable choice does nothing but chase new people away from enjoying records. As long as nobody's paying too much (these suitcase players seem to start around $50) and they don't go too far north of 5g tracking, everything's going to be fine.

[crankyscorner]

I love your videos. I always come away with something I can use from them. I especially like the videos where you defend and test lower end record players to prove they are not the record eating monsters the audiophiles make them into. Your videos on low end players inspired me to buy a ION Treble LP 33 1/3 & 45 RPM Wireless Bluetooth Turntable. Your videos reminded me of a day when getting a new record player ment getting something decorative that would match the furniture and accent the room. We never knew about tracking force and didn't care. If a record skipped we added a couple of pennies to the tone arm and solved the problem. I cant wait to mount this player on my wall (it's vertical) and enjoy the fun. Thank's again for the reminder that you don't have to spend a lot to enjoy vinyl.

[nataliegibson]

I just got a suitcase player and 4 new records and i’ve wanted to get into vinyl for a while now so i’m super excited but i’m also still very confused. I’m so scared that my record player will ruin my records and i don’t know how to fix my records from skipping. I played them for the first time today and they would skip on some songs so i was hoping someone could help me. Sorry one more question, what cleaning kit or supplies do you recommend so I can take care of the vinyl? Thanks to anyone who can help 💗

[Vinyl_guy]

i upgraded my stylus to a diamond and hooked up some external speakers and it sounds great

[kittencohort]

i just got a victrola suitcase record player, and i got a bit worried! so far i only have 2 records, but i love them so much, and i didnt want them damaged. thanks for clearing this up!

[Bullheadrecords]

I just got one yesterday, it works great with my dads record and the one my grandma gave me, the only issue I thought I had was two I bought at Walmart kept skipping, but the fact I bought those two alt Walmart should say it all about that😂

[chrisastro]

My wife and kids got me a crosley for Christmas and was worried about all the bashing on the internet about them ruining records.this makes me feel great about using it since then and still will be using it.i have a old kenwood player from the 80s that needs repairs, but not a big deal now after ur great review!! Thanks