Vinyl is the listening format that demands attention. You sit, you play a side, you turn it over. The friction is the point. People who buy a turntable expecting Spotify-with-hiss are usually disappointed; those who buy it for the ritual rarely are.
Where to start
A turntable in the €300-500 range is the practical floor for good sound. Below that, build quality compromises produce noticeable wow and flutter; above, gains are small until €2000+.
What matters most
A cartridge needs replacing every 1500-2500 hours. Stylus wear damages records — replacing on schedule is cheaper than replacing your collection.
What to skip
Clean records before first play. New pressings have mould-release residue; used records have decades of dust. A spin-clean kit pays for itself within weeks of regular play.