I bought the CHEAPEST “Turntable” at Walmart! U SHOULD TOO

I bought the Cheapest Crosley turntable I could find at Walmart. You should probably do the same but not for the reasons you think.

[cheapaudioman]

I bought the Cheapest turntable I could find at Walmart. You should probably do the same but not for the reasons you think.

[andygoldblatt]

This was great Randy. I sort of had the opposite experience this weekend. I bought my daughter the new TS album on vinyl – her first record. We get home and she of course wants to listen to it on my system. Before I knew it I was barking out directions: “No, you save the hype sticker!”, “We have to clean it first, it’s from Optimal!”, “Don’t put it back in the paper sleeve, use this Mofi one!”, “Now we let the tubes warm up”, “You have to sit EXACTLY here”….The moral of the story is that WE are the weird ones, and kids who just want to listen to some music on suboptimal turntables are going to be just fine.

[mabbaticchio]

My 18 year old daughter got one for Christmas. When she put on a record for the first time in her life, she was expecting some magical sound quality. The look of disappointment when the needle hit the record was almost humorous. I tried to explain that it is just a novelty product and we could always upgrade it. She insisted on keeping it though and continues to buy records and continues to be disappointed. She'll learn. But, I am happy that she is at least into something that is not on a phone.

[TheHammerofDissidence]

Reminder: those sapphire styli only have a lifespan of 40 HOURS until they need to be replaced. Most people who buy these aren't even aware that they need to change out the stylus which is why these decks are reputed to "destroy" your vinyl.

[macheesmo]

Come for the stereo reviews, stay for Dad getting shaken down by his daughters for stuff!!! 😂

[jimspc]

The little holder for 78s you found is in fact an insert for 45s. Used for playing 45s that had spent a former life on a jukebox or commercial auto player of some sort and had their small spindle centre removed leaving a big centre hole.

[brucejones]

Your daughters seemed to enjoy some retail therapy as much as you did.

[Robert.Novack]

As a lifelong musician and former audiophile I surprisingly found myself purchasing a Crosley I came across at Walmart on clearance for 21 bucks. I figured if I didn’t like it I could hand it off to one of my grandchildren. I immediately upgraded it with a diamond stylus I ordered from Amazon for 4 and a half bucks and picked up a few jazz records at a local thrift shop for a buck and a half each. I must say I’m really having a blast with this machine. I mean it is what it is, but actually better than l expected. Now nearly everyone in the family wants one ! But I can’t complain….it’s cheaper than a good pair of jeans. Have fun and be happy y’all.

[MrCharlz]

I feel like every hobby has this item. The "good enough to get you started" item that the purists scoff at but is actually a good bang-for-the-buck entry point. It's something I think people need to be more sensitive to in general. If buying the cheap thing is the only way you're going to get into the hobby then DO IT!!

[osliverpool]

I started with a simple portable mono record player in the 1960s, which would have sounded terrible compared to my modern gear. But it's what got me started on the love afair with records that hasn't left me, and I owe a lot to it (and to the parents who bought it for me).

[Bo-hbeo]

Thanks Randy. I’ve been wanting to get something for my granddaughter. She’s six years old. I think she’s ready for something like this. She’s very responsible. I love it. Say hi to your camerawoman for me. She did a great job.

[CrosleyRadioOfficial]

Thank you so much for your incredible words and feedback on the Cruiser! We absolutely hope we can be a stepping stone for someone on their vinyl & audio listening journeys.

[bertpeters]

Randy, this made my day! REAL cheap audio, combined with your adorable daughter, made me smile so big that I thought I was going to swallow my ears. And I absolutely WILL NOT be running right out to get one of those horrible things.

[neilfisher]

There is nothing wrong with these items. They are an on-ramp for people to get started listening to music. Someone who starts here isn't going to have much of a collection or do much record care to begin with. So it doesn't matter if it does damage to the records. I had something like this as a kid. I'm 60 years old now. I don't have any of the records I played and destroyed as a kid today. If this gets a young person started in listening to music, it's great. If they become an audiophile, then it did the job introducing them to music.

[TorontoJon]

Yes, Crosley record players are for the masses to start a record collecting hobby and they're not for audiophiles or any seasoned collectors, but there is no doubt that they were a key part of this massive vinyl revival that we are enjoying now thanks to those Crosley units making the hobby more accessible to novices. Audiophiles should acknowledge that even if they do so begrudgingly. Haha!

In many ways, it's like a newbie buying a First Act electric guitar to dip his or her toes into that hobby to see if he or she even likes playing electric guitars without having to break the bank buying more high-end guitars by Fender, Gibson, etc. Then over time, they can upgrade. :)

[jonvincentmusic]

The worry I have with it, is the people who will buy it and won't continue their journey because they don't realise significantly better quality is available. It's not the same world as when you bought your crappy knock-off walkman in 1982 and young-you realised it was just a starting point.

[ShawnMcClurg]

My partner just bought one of these for me as a Christmas present. Being that we live in a small apartment, and the fact that I’ve always wanted to start a vinyl collection, makes it perfect for me… for now! Great review.

[thewinir]

Randy, you’re a good dad and you make good sense. Keep doing what you’re doing!

[hlasyzpodzemia]

I have a similiar Crosley-styled suitcase player. I have it connected to a stereo system with EQ and i often buy replacement diamond needles.. with that the sound quality is far better. Its not great, but good enough. Anytime Crosley players are mentioned, audiophiles always starting absolutely insulting anyone that uses these. Id say its affordable and good enough.

[agustinduenas]

I bought a $27 all-in-one record player back in 1964 while I was a freshman in college living in the dorm. It worked but sounded tinny with no bass. I quickly had to tape a nickel onto the top of the tone arm to minimize skipping. I was really envious of a friend down the hall who had a $250 Koss all-in-one player. It sounded tremendously better than my cheap record player. I couldn't afford anything better. That was the beginning of my odyssey seeking better and better sound. I can afford much better music systems today but that was my humble beginning into the world of audio and music listening.