From time to time, we find our favourite songs go missing from streaming services because of licensing issues. It has nothing to do with any particular music streaming service. The problem is across the board. Then there are times when an artiste can pull his or her catalogue. In fact, Jay-Z did just that in 2017. You pay a monthly/yearly fee but the music is not yours.

One of my few sensible ideas (another being getting a moka pot instead of having to rely on cafés) came more than a decade ago — pack all my music into a digital storage and find a safe place for the 5,000-odd vinyl records and 2,000-odd CDs. It doesn’t make sense by way of real-estate space but if I have to move, these travel with me. Sure, Spotify and Apple Music have most of my music and I have been hooked to them for years. Sure, I have a CD player that’s rarely used. Sure, the turntable needs to be serviced. But, at least, I know they are there to shower music on a cloudy day. A decade ago I called it nostalgia and, in hindsight, I call it a wise decision. If tomorrow a music service decides to pull The Dark Side of the Moon or American Pie or Camouflage, I know I’m safe.

A decade ago, many thought vinyl was as dead as a cockroach but few realise that cockroaches can outlive radiation. Look at vinyl, audiophiles, hipsters and youngsters are buying them or at least are being reintroduced to them. They cost a bundle but I would any day recommend that you buy a vinyl record over a bottle of wine just in case the two can’t be paired.

Look at books. Many threw out their collections in favour of e-books and then found out that the text can be changed, titles can be pulled and books can be banned even if you own their digital version. It could be difficult to find space to pack all the PG Wodehouses, Issac Asimovs and Stephen Kings. You can at least rely on the hardcopy forever, more than any relationship human beings are capable of.

I’m not an audiophile. At least, I don’t have the deep pockets of an audiophile. Yet, I like the idea of brewing a cup of coffee, putting it down on my favourite table, dropping the needle on a record and letting Empty Chairs or Leaving on a Jet Plane fill the room. I find it enriches my focus. From time to time, I enjoy the guilty pleasure of sneaking in a record from Jamaal’s shop on Calcutta’s Dharmatala. The wife spontaneously crinkles her eyes, knowing well I am not sneaking in something worse.

What are some of the turntables I can buy at the moment? Some are very expensive (and limited) but there are quite a few affordable options.

Audio-Technica AT-LP60XUSB

The AT-LP60XUSB is a fully automatic belt-drive turntable equipped with a USB output for sending a digital signal to a Mac or PC to convert your vinyl records to digital audio files using readily available recording software. Priced at Rs 24,990, it is ideal for anyone who wants to transfer their rare and valuable records to digital music files for go-anywhere listening.

In case you want something more sophisticated, there is Audio-Technica’s AT-LP120XUSB (Rs 56,990) direct-drive turntable that comes with a new DC servo direct-drive motor, HS6 headshell, adjustable dynamic anti-skate control, damped base construction for reduced low-frequency feedback colouration and an external power supply to reduce electrical noise. It is supplied with a high-performance AT-VM95E cartridge, mounted on an HS6 headshell. Its features include a USB output for converting records to digital audio, 33-1/3, 45 and 78 RPM speeds, and more.

Victrola Stream Carbon

Known to produce some of the best affordable all-in-one turntables, Victrola has a new option that’s slightly above its usual price point. The Victrola Stream Carbon is a high-end turntable that has a unique feature — it has been designed in collaboration with Sonos and, for the first time ever in a turntable, it allows you to stream your vinyl records over Wi-Fi directly to your existing Sonos system. You don’t have to buy any extra component.

It can then play to any or all Sonos speakers in your home, and it also includes a stereo RCA output using the onboard preamp. But you can’t use your own phono preamp if you want. According to Scott Hagen, CEO of Victrola, many Sonos owners are into vinyl and they told the company they would listen to their records more if it was possible through their Sonos system.

Before Stream Carbon (Rs 104,505 from Tanotis India) came along, to integrate a turntable to your Sonos set-up, you needed to have built-in preamp or needed to buy an external one. Then you could connect it directly to Five or Play:5 speaker, which are the only Sonos speakers that have a line-in connection.

Audio-Technica AT-LP60XUSB

You’ll need to set up the new turntable using a Victrola Stream app. Once done, you’ll be able to control the Stream Carbon via the Sonos app or a control knob on the device itself.

The turntable is stunning to look at and comes with a low-resonance MDF plinth, premium metal components (including a carbon fibre tonearm) and a large volume knob that glows in the dark. The turntable is a manual belt-driven one that supports two speeds — 33 1/3 and 45 rpm and comes with a high-end Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. But remember, the minimal design translates into a missing dust cover. All you have is a protector for the arm.

Victrola Stream Carbon

Andover Audio SpinDeck 2

It is a modest setup that focuses on ease of use and convenience. The SpinDeck 2 (Rs 48,285 via Tanotis) comes with the phono cartridge installed and it uses an aluminium tonearm instead of the carbon fibre ones. One of the important things that this turntable offers is the built-in phono preamp, which removes an important entry barrier to the world of vinyl. Of course, you still have the option of using your own phono preamp if you want.

Andover Audio SpinDeck 2

Denon DP-300F

One of the best-selling turntables, key features of Denon DP-300F (Rs 50,900) include a built-in preamp, easily upgradeable cartridge, a solid build, clean aesthetics and an excellent price point. However, it’s the fully automatic operation that makes this turntable stand out. The turntable features convenient playing and stop buttons that trigger both the motor and tonearm, allowing for one-click operation. There are additional buttons for controlling playback speed and when the record is finished, the tonearm will return automatically. The standard mount headshell allows for any standard mount cartridge between 5-10 grams to be mounted and balanced.

House of Marley Stir It Up

With sustainability and environmental awareness at its forefront, the Stir it Up turntable (Rs 27,375) has been popular for a long time. The belt-driven, Bluetooth-capable turntable could be perfect for most beginners. Everything looks and feels solidly constructed, the table operates at two speeds — 45 and 33-1/3 RPM — selected via a stylish recycled aluminium switch at the bottom right. There’s a small amount of tonal distortion at higher volumes, but it allows some warmth to classic rock recordings.

Sony PS-LX310BT

I wouldn’t consider myself an audiophile but I also wouldn’t consider myself someone who doesn’t care about high-quality audio. I am somewhere in the middle and for many tech enthusiasts, you could be like me. I have been interested in vinyl records for a long time but my budget is always limited. Sony PS-LX310BT has a good build, with sleek edges and feels both retro and modern at the same time. Depending on where you buy from, you may end up spending between Rs 30,000 and Rs 36,000, you can enjoy your vinyl collection with all the convenience of wireless technology. Connect via Bluetooth technology to listen to your favourite records on your wireless speakers or headphones. There are two operation speeds — 45rpm and 33-1/3.

Linn Sondek LP12-50

Some revolutions are celebrated at 33-1/3 rpm. The party for the revival of the turntable continues as the legendary Sir Jony Ive — designer of the iPod, iMac, iPhone and iPad — recently delivered what looks like a piece of art. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Linn’s Sondek LP12, a turntable that highlights the rich sound of vinyl, Ive jumped in. Only 250 models of the Linn Sondek LP12-50 will be produced and delivered between August 2023 and March 2024 for a stinging $60,000. And oh, Linn CEO Gilad Tiefenbrun had crumpled the digital invitation from Ive and dunked it into a digital bin.

Denon DP-300F

Ive, who retired from Apple a few years ago and had recently designed the coronation emblem for King Charles III, has a design firm (founded with Marc Newson) called LoveFrom. He just couldn’t give the 50th anniversary design a miss because there was a time when he couldn’t afford a Linn turntable but, at the same time, was in love with the Linn design philosophy, which is “so focused and so purposeful”.

Linn’s Sondek LP12 (designed by Tiefenbrun’s father, Ivor) turntable was launched in 1973. It has been instrumental in setting ultimate standards of performance for turntables. Getting the opportunity to work on the limited edition is a dream come true for Ive.