A record player is easier to buy in person. You can see how it is built, ask what cartridge comes on it, and leave with everything you need to play your first record. Buying online works too, but a shop can answer the questions a product page can't.
Below are six shops in Dallas-Fort Worth where you can walk in during posted hours and buy a turntable. One is a dedicated hi-fi store with a listening room. The other five are record stores that also sell turntables, so you can pick up a player and a few records in the same trip. If you mostly want records, our Dallas record stores guide covers more places to dig.
We checked every shop below against its own website and at least one independent listing (Apple Maps, Yelp or Google), and each sells turntables on its own site and lists a public storefront with regular hours. Stock changes fast, especially on popular models, so call ahead if you want a specific one.
Dallas
AudioConcepts (Preston Forest)
11661 Preston Rd., Suite 280, Dallas, TX 75230 (214) 360-9520
This is the one dedicated hi-fi store on the list. AudioConcepts sells turntables from Rega, Linn and McIntosh, and its turntable page runs from the Rega Replay at about $395 up to high-end Linn LP12 decks, with the occasional preowned turntable listed for less than new. It also sells speakers, amplifiers and phono stages, so you can put a full system together in one visit, and the shop invites people to stop in and listen.
Posted hours are Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday are by appointment.
Good for: hearing turntables in a real listening room and building a complete system.
Spinster Records (Bishop Arts)
408 N. Bishop Ave., Suite 102, Dallas, TX 75208 (972) 598-0814
Spinster sells new and vintage turntables alongside new and used vinyl. Its site lists starter and DJ-style models such as the Audio-Technica AT-LP120X and Pioneer PLX-500, plus portable Crosley players, along with audio accessories. It also buys records and hi-fi gear if you have an old system to sell.
Posted hours are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday noon to 8 p.m.
Good for: a first turntable and a stack of records in one stop, with dinner in Bishop Arts after.
Good Records (East Dallas)
9026 Garland Rd., Dallas, TX 75218 (214) 752-4663
Good Records is open for in-store shopping every day and sells turntables along with records. Its site lists Audio-Technica models from the portable Sound Burger up to the AT-LP120X and AT-LP5X, plus replacement styluses, cartridges and record cleaning supplies.
Posted hours are noon to 8 p.m. every day.
Good for: an easy Audio-Technica starter deck and a replacement stylus for the one you already have.
Josey Records (LBJ Freeway)
2821 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX 75234 (near Farmers Branch) (972) 243-2039
Josey's turntable page is a long one. It lists Audio-Technica, Pioneer DJ, Crosley, Kanto, Dayton Audio and Gemini models, from Bluetooth starter players to manual decks, plus speakers and headphones. Its site shows turntables available for pickup at this store.
Posted hours are Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Good for: comparing several entry-level brands side by side.
Fort Worth and Tarrant County
Saint Marie Records (Fort Worth)
623 N. Chandler Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76111 (817) 744-7100
Saint Marie is a Fort Worth record store between Race Street and Belknap. Its site says it carries turntables from U-Turn and Audio-Technica, and it lists the Audio-Technica AT-LP120X for sale.
Posted hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
Good for: a straightforward starter turntable on the Fort Worth side.
County Line Records (Keller)
600 N. Main St., Building B, Keller, TX 76248 (817) 917-8885
County Line calls itself a turntable headquarters, and it sells both new and vintage players. Its site has pages for Rega and Music Hall turntables, and a vintage equipment room with receivers, amplifiers, turntables and speakers from brands like Marantz, Pioneer, Sansui and Yamaha. It also buys records and audio collections.
Posted hours are Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 5:30 p.m. It is closed Monday.
Good for: choosing between a new Rega or Music Hall and a vintage deck in one shop.
How to choose your first record player
Skip the cheapest all-in-one suitcase players if you care about your records. They are portable and fun, but a simple manual or semi-automatic turntable with a replaceable cartridge is a better long-term buy.
Budget for the whole setup, not just the turntable. You will need a phono preamp (some turntables have one built in), an amplifier or receiver, and speakers. Powered speakers that plug straight into the turntable are the simplest start.
Ask about the cartridge. The cartridge and stylus are the parts that touch the record. Ask what comes installed and what a replacement stylus costs.
Think about used gear from a shop. A vintage turntable that a shop has checked can be a good deal. One bought from a stranger may need a new belt, stylus or alignment before it sounds right.
Ask for help with setup. Tracking force and alignment take a few minutes with the right tools. Ask the shop what it recommends for the model you buy.
Before you go
Call ahead and ask whether the model you want is in stock, especially for popular starter decks. Hours can change around holidays and in-store events.
Know a DFW shop that sells turntables and should be on this list? Tell us at help@askonhand.com.