The final category of record players can be considered "audiophile players." These record players are either belt driven, using a belt placed around the platter connected to the motor to turn the record, or direct drive, where there is no belt, and the platter is connected directly to the motor. Special features can be used to get the exact sound output as intended, such as precision speed adjustments, anti-skating, tracking, and a weight on the tone arm to precisely balance the arm, ensuring that the exact amount of pressure is appied to the record to reduce wear. These record players are either semi-automatic, or manual. Semi-automatic players could start playback at the press of a button and after the record was played through, the tone arm would then return to its starting position and automatically turn off the record player. They could also be manual, in which the user must start and stop the player.

The most current audiophile record player uses no needle or stylus, but rather a laser beam to playback the record. A company in Japan is marketing this revolutionary break through technology, but I must warn you that it is NOT cheap! For more info,click here.