What size surface does a turntable need?
Before choosing a piece of furniture, you need to know what’s going on it. This guide brings together the usual dimensions of vinyl equipment and the measurements to check. The figures are approximate: your own equipment’s spec sheet is always the reference.
Typical equipment dimensions
| Item | Width | Depth | Height | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact or suitcase turntable | 30 to 40 cm | 25 to 32 cm | 10 to 15 cm | Fits on a small unit or a narrow top. |
| Home turntable | 42 to 45 cm | 33 to 37 cm | 11 to 15 cm (lid closed) | The most common format: allow at least 45 × 35 cm. |
| DJ-style or direct-drive turntable | 45 to 46 cm | 35 to 37 cm | 15 to 17 cm | Heavy and wide: check width, depth and load. |
| Standard hi-fi amplifier | 42 to 44 cm | 30 to 40 cm | 10 to 15 cm | Add room for cables at the back and air above. |
| Compact amp or phono preamp | 15 to 30 cm | 15 to 30 cm | 5 to 10 cm | Fits in a small compartment or on a shelf. |
| Bookshelf speaker | 15 to 25 cm | 20 to 30 cm | 25 to 40 cm | Keep it away from the turntable to limit vibration. |
| 12-inch LP sleeve (30 cm) | 31.5 cm | — | 31.5 cm | Compartment at least 32 cm high and deep. |
| 7-inch single sleeve (17 cm) | 18 cm | — | 18 cm | An LP compartment works, but singles look lost in it. |
Measuring your turntable
- Width and depth: measure the plinth, feet included, plus anything that sticks out (tonearm, counterweight, socket at the back).
- Height with the lid open: if the lid opens upwards, measure the total height with the lid open. You often need around 40 cm of clear height above the top; check on your own equipment.
- Cables: allow a few centimetres at the back for audio and power cables.
Comparing with the furniture
Each product page gives the furniture’s dimensions as W × D × H. The width and depth of the top must exceed those of the turntable, ideally with a few centimetres to spare on each side. Avoid a turntable overhanging at the front: it would be exposed to knocks. When a maximum load is given, check it covers the weight of the turntable and anything placed beside it.
Choosing the right height
- Around 45 to 50 cm: a low unit, for listening from the sofa. See our record player stands.
- Around 75 to 90 cm: the turntable at hand height, so you can flip the record without bending down.
Estimating room for records
Allow roughly 1 cm of compartment width for 3 to 4 records, depending on their weight and the thickness of the sleeves. A 30 cm wide compartment therefore holds several dozen records. For larger collections, see our vinyl record storage.
What about the amp?
If you use a separate amplifier, it needs an open compartment, with air above and behind it: check the clearances recommended by its manufacturer. Furniture designed for this is grouped in our hi-fi furniture range.
Not sure about a measurement? Send us your equipment’s dimensions at service@sillonstudio.com and we’ll help you check it fits.