Plaadimängija

Plaadimängija, often referred to as a record player or turntable, is an electro-mechanical device used to reproduce sound. It operates by playing vinyl records, which are flat discs with a spirally cut groove. A stylus, typically a diamond or sapphire tip, traces this groove. As the stylus moves, it vibrates, and these vibrations are converted into an electrical signal. This signal is then amplified and sent to loudspeakers, where it is converted back into audible sound.

The fundamental components of a record player include a turntable, which is a rotating platter that spins the record at a constant speed (usually 33 1⁄3, 45, or 78 revolutions per minute), a tonearm that holds the cartridge and stylus, and a cartridge, which houses the stylus and contains a mechanism (either magnetic or ceramic) to convert the stylus's vibrations into an electrical signal. A motor drives the turntable. Many modern record players also include built-in preamplifiers to boost the weak signal from the cartridge to a line-level signal suitable for amplifiers.

The quality of sound reproduction from a record player is influenced by numerous factors, including the quality of the stylus, cartridge, tonearm, turntable, and the record itself. The interaction between the stylus and the groove is critical. Record players have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, appreciated for their unique sonic characteristics and the tactile experience of playing physical media.