Joe Theobald, aka DJ Captain Wormhole, Looks at all things vinyl Bargain Tech

THIS week I’m doing a consumer advice piece. Alongside the exciting array of bargain charcuterie, hedge trimmers, pistachios and Echalion shallots (49p for half a kilo), Lidl has now jumped on the vinyl bandwagon and is selling record players.

The ION Record Player with USB has built-in speakers, a nice wood veneer and you can plug it into your computer to convert records into MP3s. At £49.99 this would appear to be quite the savvy purchase for someone who wants to start collecting vinyl but can’t afford the new Technics 1200G (£2,799 per deck), or perhaps even the ideal Thanksgiving present?

Surely the build quality on a fifty quid record player is rubbish though? Well maybe, but I couldn’t possibly comment as I’ve not seen or used one. I can, however, tell you that it comes with a three-year warranty.

Will it destroy your records? Yes, almost certainly given time. But not immediately so I wouldn’t write it off - it will suffice if you’re only planning to pick up a few Motown comps from the local chazzer to wheel out on special occasions, and will work as an entry level stepping stone to more expensive machines.

Where can you get it? Lidl.

Am I being paid by them to write this? No.

Why am I writing this? See start.

Is the ‘ION Record Player with USB’ suitable for scratch DJing? No, its belt driven and if you try scratching on it the belt will probably fall off.

Do Lidl also sell records? Not yet, but I’m told they do have some at B&M Bargains.

Is it a good thing for places like Lidl and B&M Bargains to be cashing in on the vinyl revival? I don’t see why not, if it gets more people in to collecting records.