Most record players do not come with built-in speakers. So, you have to connect an external speaker to them. If your record player has a built-in phono stage or built-in preamp, you can connect an amplifier and external speaker straight. If not, you have to purchase a separate phono preamp, to combine with the amplifier and speaker. Powered speakers do not require amplifiers, but they still require a pre-amp. The best and most direct setup is to connect powered speakers to a turntable with an in-built preamp.