Turntables are often portrayed as enigmatic, fragile devices—finicky machines that demand black-belt level setup skills and arcane knowledge just to play a record. It’s an image that has somehow stuck, even in today’s world of ultra-precise engineering and accessible measurement tools.
But let’s be clear: a turntable is not complicated. It’s a mechanical system with two simple tasks:
- Spin the record at the correct, stable speed.
- Let the cartridge read the groove without interference.
That’s it.
So why, then, do so many people treat turntables as mystical objects? Why are they surrounded by myths, rituals, and vague language instead of engineering facts?
The answer, unfortunately, lies in a mix of ignorance, tradition, and marketing.
1. Retailers and Sales Culture
Many audio retailers don’t really understand how turntables work. Rather than admit that, they fall back on generalizations: “It depends,” “every system is different,” or “you just have to listen for yourself.” These are not explanations; they’re excuses that cover for a lack of knowledge. When someone doesn’t know what affects sound quality or how to measure it, it’s easier to treat the whole topic as mystical rather than technical.
2. The Industry’s Comfort with Vague Claims
Turntables are rarely sold on the basis of hard specs. Manufacturers often avoid publishing wow & flutter figures, noise levels, or speed accuracy—because many products wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny. Instead, they sell an idea: “warmth,” “musicality,” “soul.” And while these concepts are valid subjectively, they can also be used to distract from poor engineering. If the product can’t be measured, it can’t be criticized.
3. Audiophile Romanticism
Let’s be honest: part of the magic comes from the users themselves. Audiophiles often enjoy the ritual of setup, the tweaking, the endless search for “the right sound.” And that’s fine—as long as we acknowledge that it’s more about the experience than the physics. But too often, subjective impressions are treated as universal truths, and simple mechanics are turned into emotional debates. The result is confusion, not clarity.
4. Lack of Standards = No Accountability
As discussed earlier, the absence of consistent measurement standards in turntable design means no one has to prove anything. That opens the door to pseudoscience, inflated pricing, and design decisions that prioritize “looking high-end” over actually performing well.
The Way Forward: Kill the Myth, Respect the Machine
Turntables don’t need to be mythical to be magical. Their beauty lies in their simplicity, not complexity. When designed with clarity and purpose—like at BennyAudio—they become reliable, measurable, and yes, deeply musical machines. Instead of hiding behind mystery, let’s educate users, demand standards, and celebrate real engineering. Because the best sound doesn’t come from voodoo. It comes from precision.