A turntable is basically a device that is used for playing sound recordings. It is the circular platform which is also known as a record player or a gramophone, and can be rotated.
The turntables available today are not like the traditional ones, and they come with many exciting features. They have Bluetooth connectivity, or may even feature USB outputs. You can record songs and easily play them and save them on your computer, which makes things a lot easier!
Turntables are extremely easy to use and they are quite useful as well. If you are thinking of buying a turntable but are not ready to spend a very large amount of money on it, then there’s nothing to worry about coz’ we got your back! We have listed and reviewed below the 7 Best Turntable to Buy Under $1000 in 2020, along with their detailed features and their list of pros and cons, so that you can be absolutely sure about your purchase.
Upon reaching the end of this article, you will also find a set of Frequently Asked Questions, that would clear all your doubts, and if not, feel free to ask us in the comments section! Don’t miss the Buyer’s Guide which will help you select your product better! So, let’s get started!
REGA – Planar 1 Plus
This turntable by Rega is approximately $600 in price and comes in a classic black color, which makes it an overall attractive piece. It is best suited for entry-level operations and is known to prevent any kind of unwanted noise.
It is an extremely easy-to-use device which features RB110 tonearm. It comes with a headshell that is very stiff and rigid, which enhances the usability of the product and also gives a stylish appearance to the device. It features a high-grade moving-magnet phono preamplifier, which allows the user to connect the device to any system using a standard line input. It is extremely easy to plug and produces a sound that is crystal clear, along with a variety of highs and lows.
It comes in a sleek design, which makes its storage easy. The built-in amp is placed beneath the tonearm, so that all kinds of unnecessary noise is avoided.
Features
- $600 in cost.
- Affordable.
- Black color.
- Attractive.
- Best for entry-level.
- Prevents interference.
- Easy to use.
- Features RB110 tonearm.
- Stiff headshell.
- High usability.
- Stylish appearance.
- High-grade moving-magnet phono preamplifier.
- Easy connectivity.
- Crystal clear sound.
- Variety of highs and lows.
- Sleek design.
- Easy storage.
- Avoids unnecessary noise.
Pros
- Amazing after sales services.
- Clear sound.
- Sleek design.
Cons
- Built-in pre-amp is a little weak.
Overall Ratings- 4.6/5 stars.
Sony PSHX500 Hi Res USB Turntable
Sony is a very well-known and trusted brand for music appliances, and this turntable has a lot to offer as well. It is an extremely affordable device, which comes at a price of $298, but its quality and performance is assured.
It provides the user with a very warm sound, with the help of its high-quality audio technologies. It features an integrated shell which is responsible for its increased durability and also for providing a more focused and superior dimensioned sound. It is also a very lightweight structure, which makes it highly portable as well. This turntable supports phono and line outputs, which allows the user to play through an external phono EQ or an integrated amp.
You can easily connect this turntable with your PC via USB connections, through which you can play your recordings on your computer and save them there itself. It also allows you to edit the tracks from any side of the album and transfer these to a player at any time. It also supports conversion of analog to DSD 2.8 MHz or 5.6 MHz digital.
Features
- Well known and trusted brand.
- $298, which is extremely affordable.
- High quality and performance.
- Warm sound.
- Uses high-quality audio technologies.
- Integrated shell.
- Extremely durable.
- Produces a focused sound.
- Lightweight.
- Highly portable.
- Supports phono and line outputs.
- Can be played through an external phono EQ or an integrated amp.
- Can be easily connected to PC through USB.
- Tracks can be edited from both sides of album.
- DSD Native AD converter.
- Built-in Phono EQ.
- New tonearm design.
- Digitally capture analog in Hi-Res Audio.
- Offers stable rotation.
- High quality 0.20-inch rubber mat.
- Aluminum die cast platter.
- Glass epoxy circuit board.
- Insulated structure.
- Acoustic-grade MDF cabinet.
- Highly stable belt drive system.
Pros
- Easy setup.
- Provides amazing sound.
- Extremely high quality construction.
Cons
- Not compatible with MAC.
Overall Ratings- 4.3/5 stars.
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Turntable
This turntable by Pro-Ject is $399 in cost and comes in a variety of amazing colors, like, blue, silver, walnut, yellow, purple, etc. The one in the above picture is a black colored turntable by Pro-Ject.
It is 8.6″ in size and is constructed with pure and high quality carbon. The platter size of this product is increased and has more weight, which makes it more efficient. It comes pre-installed with an Ortofon 2M Red, which gives audiophile vinyl enjoyment. It also features a precision belt drive, along with a synchronous motor.
The sound quality produced by this turntable is improved, and it offers a smooth rotation. It features an AC motor that is low noise, and offers speed stability, and avoids unwanted vibration.
Features
- Affordable.
- $399 price.
- Available in multiple colors: blue, silver, walnut, yellow, purple, etc.
- 8.6″ in size.
- Carbon tube is used for tonearm.
- Increased platter size.
- Added weight.
- Pre-installed Ortofon 2M Red.
- Gives audiophile vinyl enjoyment.
- Precision belt drive.
- Synchronous motor.
- Improved sound quality.
- Smooth rotation.
- Low noise AC motor.
- Speed stability.
- Avoids unwanted vibration.
- New Sorbothane motor suspension.
Pros
- Premium Cartridge included.
- Stunning carbon fibre arm.
- Affordable.
Cons
- There is no auto return when the record is over.
Overall Ratings- 4.6/5 stars.
Audio Technica AT-LP60X-RD Turntable
This turntable by Audio-Technica is $159, which is extremely cheap and affordable, plus, it also includes the whole bundle with itself that has everything required for the setup of this turntable.
This turntable comes in a sleek design, which includes the classic sound of vinyl along with a modern design, that suits your digital lifestyle. It offers two speeds, 33-1/3 RPM and 45 RPM. It features a die cast aluminum platter, which is anti-resonance. It comes with a Integral Dual Magnet cartridge, which has replaceable diamond stylus.
It also features an integrated headshell, which gives an enhanced performance. Apart from this, it also features a DC servo-controlled motor, along with a phono pre-amplifier, which pre-installed. This turntable can also be connected to other audio devices quite easily.
The bundle includes microlab pro1 professional bookshelf active powered speaker pair and fully automatic belt-drive stereo turntable (Red).
Features
- Affordable.
- Price: $159.
- Includes entire bundle for setup.
- Bundle includes- microlab pro1 professional bookshelf active powered speaker pair and fully automatic belt-drive stereo turntable (Red).
- Sleek design.
- Combines sound of vinyl and modern design.
- Matches your digital lifestyle.
- Two speeds: 33-1/3 RPM and 45 RPM.
- DC servo-controlled motor.
- Die cast aluminum platter.
- Anti-resonance.
- Integral Dual Magnet cartridge.
- Replaceable diamond stylus.
- Integrated headshell.
- Phono pre-amplifier.
- Easy connectivity.
Pros
- It offers two speeds.
- Superior sound.
- Sleek design.
Cons
- Few users have complained about receiving incomplete packages.
Overall Ratings– 4.1/5 stars.
MusicCast VINYL 500 Wi-Fi Turntable
Yamaha is back again with yet another amazing product, and this time its a turntable. Its cost is $499, which is quite reasonable if we take a look at the features of this device.
It features a built-in phono preamp, which allows the user to connect this turntable to any audio device easily, and to add playback. It is compatible with MusicCast wireless speakers, which can be placed anywhere according to your choice. You can even sync it with wireless speakers present in other rooms, thus, getting a multi-room audio setup. It is compatible with Bluetooth, WiFi, Airplay and even Spotify, which makes it a more desirable product.
It comes with two rotation speeds: 33-1/3 rpm, 45 rpm. It is an extremely high quality turntable that can be used by beginner or audiophile vinyl collector.
Features
- Trusted brand.
- $499.
- Built-in phono preamp.
- Can easily be connected to other audio devices.
- Compatible with MusicCast wireless speakers
- Multi-room Audio setup is possible.
- Can stream music services with Bluetooth, WiFi, Airplay and Spotify.
- Two rotation speeds: 33-1/3 rpm, 45 rpm.
- High quality.
- Ideal for audiophile or beginner vinyl collector.
- Gives sonic purity and accuracy.
- Wireless.
Pros
- Amazing sound.
- Easy to setup.
- Allows multi-room audio setup.
Cons
- Does not return the tone arm when it reaches the end of the record.
Overall Ratings- 3.4/5 stars.
Fluance RT81 Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable
This walnut colored turntable by Fluance is extremely affordable, and comes at a price of just $249, along with amazing features and looks. It is a high fidelity belt driven turntable, which provides the user with the performance they wished for.
It features a diamond elliptical tipped stylus, which is able to track the user’s record grooves accurately, and gives high definition audio. It features an aluminum S-Type tonearm, which is responsible for giving a detailed audio that is not at all differentiated from the original recording. It is an extremely attractive device, that has a walnut finish and is made from solid engineered wood. It features an aluminum platter, along with a rubber slip mat which prevents any kind of unwanted vibrations.
It features a built-in Texas Instruments preamp, which is extremely high quality, along with ground terminal that has gold plated RCA line outputs which results in a warm sound that is true and balanced.
Features
- Affordable.
- $249.
- Walnut colored.
- High fidelity belt driven.
- Gives desired performance.
- Diamond elliptical tipped stylus.
- Grooves records accurately.
- Aluminum S-Type tonearm.
- Detailed audio.
- Attractive.
- Walnut finish.
- Made with solid engineered wood.
- Aluminum platter.
- Rubber slip mat.
- Prevents unwanted vibrations.
- Built-in Texas Instruments preamp.
- Ground terminal.
- Gold plated RCA line outputs.
- True and warm sound.
Pros
- Premium Components.
- Complete Clarity.
- Specially designed for serious performances.
Cons
- Speed is unstable sometimes.
Overall Ratings– 4.6/5 stars.
Record Player-13 in 1 Turntable with Speakers Vinyl Recording
This is an extremely cheap turntable by zbrqotl, which is available just at a rate of $59, but due to its high ratings and customer feedback, we couldn’t stop ourselves from reviewing this turntable.
It comes in a wooden design that is brown in color and features a dust-proof cover, along with an FM radio, apart from other wonderful features. It has an option for three speeds, 33-1/3, 45 and 78 RPM. It is compatible with Bluetooth, which allows the user to listen to their desired digital music simply by pairing their PCs or phones with the turntable through Bluetooth.
It is a 13 in 1 device, which covers all the audio functions that you may need, like, wireless speakers, Bluetooth and USB play, LP play, TF card play, Vinyl to USB recording, Aux in play, Vinyl to TF card recording, built-in FM radio, Aux In audio to USB recording, RCA Out play, Aux In audio to TF card recording, and earphone jack.
It features 2 Built-in 5W full range stereo speakers that has a professional sound cavity, which produces an acoustic effect. It also allows the user to practice silently, with the help of headphone jack provided.
Features
- Extremely cheap.
- $59.
- Wooden design.
- Brown color.
- Dust-proof cover.
- 3 speed options: 33-1/3, 45 and 78 RPM.
- Compatible with Bluetooth.
- 13 in 1 device.
- Wireless speakers, Bluetooth and USB play, LP play, TF card play, Vinyl to USB recording, Aux in play, Vinyl to TF card recording, built-in FM radio, Aux In audio to USB recording, RCA Out play, Aux In audio to TF card recording, and earphone jack.
- 2 Built-in 5W full range stereo speakers.
- Professional sound cavity.
- Acoustic sound effects.
- Silent practicing allowed.
- Headphone jack.
Pros
- Wireless Bluetooth Capability.
- Built-in FM/AM radio.
- Offers 3 speeds.
Cons
- USB download function turned out to be defective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a good turntable?
The main features that make a turntable efficient are a rigid tonearm, maintenance of a precise geometry by the stylus, a low mass, and dampened cartridge vibration.
What is the difference between a record player and a turntable?
A record player is a device that features built-in speaker and amplifier, while turntables are instruments that may be high precision devices, or even toy-like devices.
How do you change the speed of a turntable?
If you want to change the speed of your turntable, all you need to do is, lift the patter and shift the belt of the turntable to the 2nd or 3rd position motor pulley.
Do you need a speaker with the turntable?
Yes, speakers are required for playing records on a turntable. They do not come with in-built speakers, hence the user can use passive speakers for the purpose.
How far should speakers be from turntable?
The minimum distance between the turntable and the speakers should be at least 150 cm for ideal performance.
Buyer’s Guide
You can still get an amazing turntable even if your budget is below $1000. Instead of going for overpriced turntables, you can easily go for a moderately priced one that has all the necessary features of an efficient turntable. The key features for you to look for while buying a turntable are mentioned below.
Firstly, check the cartridge of the turntable. Go for turntables that have a cartridge that is pre-mounted on the tonearm. You can also upgrade the cartridge according to your needs, for a better performance.
Turntables are available as belt driven or direct driven. Direct drive turntables are preferred by professionals because of their instant speed up. Otherwise, you can simply go for a belt-driven turntable, which easily eliminates the noise created from the motor.
Turntables are either manual, semi automatic, or fully automatic. You can select one of these according to your needs and your comfort of use.
Always go for a turntable that features an USB output, so that connectivity is never an issue for you and you can save your music on your devices.
Summary
And here, we come to end of this article. The products and the brands reviewed in this article are all below $1000, and their low price does not necessarily mean that they are inefficient or low quality. You can check the ratings for each product and decide for yourself.
Select the turntable you like the most, and enjoy using this amazing and easy-to-use instrument!
Thanks for reading this article! Please leave your comments below.
Also, don’t forget to read our article on the 7 Best Wireless Guitar Systems of 2020.
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