Best Audiophile Turntables – Under $1,000
Starting with the cream of the crop, these are the top models out there right now.
Looking for more options? Have a look at this guide → Best turntables under $1000.
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Ed Lansink
If you’re looking for a new turntable or record player, it can be hard to know which to choose with so many models out there.
The last thing you want to do is to spend your hard-earned cash on a turntable/record player that you’ll not be totally satisfied with.
I’ve put together this overview of the best turntables to help you find the right choice to do your vinyl collection justice. Not only does it tell you all the essential things to think about when buying record players, but I also share the best models on the market today for different budgets.
Looking for a turntable in a specific budget range or for a particular type? Have a look at these guides:
These are my top 3 turntables/record players for different price brackets, starting at around $200 and maxing out at around $1,200.
Exceptional engineering and sonic performance paired with highly adjustable calibration settings make for a very attractive package for audiophile vinyl collectors.
Fluance are making waves with strong contenders. This RT85 provides excellent performance out of the box and a high build quality.
The Fluance RT80 Classic strikes a good balance between affordability and quality. Result: Excellent value for money at entry-level.
Starting with the cream of the crop, these are the top models out there right now.
Looking for more options? Have a look at this guide → Best turntables under $1000.
The Rega Planar 3 is a top-end audiophile turntable that has been continually developed and improved since its release in 1977. This high-end turntable has a rich, dynamic sound that is hard to beat.
As far as turntables go, this is a sophisticated and nuanced model that will please even the most discerning vinyl audiophiles.
For starters, it comes with a thick glass “Optiwhite” platter. This is perfectly balanced, helps to minimize any unwanted noise interference, and lets the record vibrate naturally without clamping it too hard. It really lets your records sing while looking slick and unique at the same time.
As for further isolation, it features a thick plinth and isolating feet which have both been redesigned in this model. The feet offer a significant amount of vibration reduction from the environment and also improve stability on any surface.
Several other elements have been redesigned to improve the quality, including the internal braces, bearings, sub platter, and motor systems. This is really a notch above other turntables.
The tonearm (an RB330) is also perfectly manufactured and offers an ideal amount of resonance and functionality. It comes with all the important calibration controls, which feel very precise and accurate – letting you find the best settings for your cartridge.
Talking of cartridges, the base model doesn’t actually come with a cartridge, so you will need to buy one separately. That isn’t necessarily a downside, though, as it means every cent of your budget is spent on the turntable instead of a mediocre cartridge that you may replace anyway.
Everything about this turntable feels well-designed and engineered, and there isn’t much to fault – even with the high price tag. The cost feels justified due to the extremely high level of quality.
While it doesn’t have a built-in phono stage (aka ‘preamp’) or any automatic features, this isn’t much of a disadvantage, as it’s rare for audiophile decks to incorporate these features. They typically compromise the audio quality, which is the last thing an audiophile wants.
It’s clearly a huge upgrade over the Planar 2 (its little brother). You can quickly tell how much more engineering and design has gone into the Planar 3. I think it is definitely the best turntable around the $1000 mark.
Budget-wise, you’ll need to go well past the $1000 mark when you add a nice cartridge and phono stage, but the Planar 3 really is a strong turntable.
Note: It’s also available in red or white gloss finishes!
If you want an audiophile-grade deck that can handle all sorts of future upgrades and already performs smoothly out of the box, this is your choice. It will really make your vinyl collection sing.
The Rega Planar 2 is a more budget-friendly model in the Planar series – basically the Planar 3’s little brother.
While a fair bit cheaper, the Planar 2 still offers exceptionally tight and clean performance. Rega is renowned for producing high-quality turntables, and the Planar 2 is no exception.
This model is an updated version of the original Planar 2, which was released in 1976.
The turntable is sleek and stylish, with a minimalist design that is both elegant and modern. The plinth is made from high-quality materials that are lightweight and sturdy and help to reduce unwanted resonance and vibration.
The Planar 2 features a new RB220 tonearm that is rigid and precise, which allows for exceptional tracking accuracy and low distortion with ideal bass response. The tonearm is also fully adjustable, which makes it easy to achieve perfect calibration for your cartridge.
The turntable has a high-quality “optiwhite” glass platter that provides excellent speed stability and reduces unwanted noise. The platter is also easy to remove, which makes it easy to clean and maintain. The platter is paired with a highly accurate and stable motor which ensures your records play at the exact speed they are designed to.
This model comes with a pre-fitted Rega Carbon MM cartridge. This cartridge offers very high-quality performance and rich sound, which plays records with a high level of depth and detail.
It’s worth noting that the Planar 2 doesn’t come with a built-in phono stage preamp nor any automatic features, although this is common for high-end turntables.
Overall, the Planar 2 is a fantastic turntable. Compared to the Planar 3, the quality is slightly lower, although still very high. The Planar 2 uses a few more basic materials in comparison to the Planar 3, as well as missing a few of the 3’s features like the double bracing and extra attention to detail in terms of vibration reduction.
This turntable offers excellent value for money and provides access to audiophile-grade sound quality without having to spend thousands of dollars.
The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO is a solid entry point into the world of audiophile turntables.
This is an expertly designed piece of audio equipment that achieves high quality without a super high price tag.
It features high quality across all the main components and an attractive, sleek aesthetic.
For starters, it comes with a pre-fitted Sumiko Ranier cartridge (worth $150 alone). This cartridge offers clear and dynamic performance that stands out against other cartridges in a similar price band.
The straight carbon fiber tonearm provides richness and sensitivity whilst minimizing interrupting vibrations and has all the calibration controls you need. It did feel a little more sensitive than previous models on this list, so make sure you are careful when handling and calibrating it.
It uses a highly stable belt-driven motor – although there is no speed sensor for consistency or automatic calibration. That said, I tested the speed and consistency, and there are no issues here out of the box. The motor is also decoupled from the rest of the body; this helps to reduce motor noise and prevents the vibrations from feeding back into the stylus and tonearm.
This new turntable uses a thick steel platter that helps absorb vibration, pair this with the individual adjustable dampening feet, and you have a very well-isolated system that minimizes external interference.
Like many top-end decks, it doesn’t have a built-in phono stage. Although, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing because if you are using gear of this quality, then you would probably want to use an external preamp with matching quality. It also means all of the manufacturing budget is spent on the important parts and not wasted on a potentially unused preamp.
You can also find this turntable in nine different finishes – both textures and colors. So you can choose a style that suits the rest of your audio setup. This model also has no built-in phono stage preamp.
Considering the lower cost of this turntable, it offers performance that nearly competes with the Planar models, although comparing them side by side reveals that the Planars do have a better sound quality and feel. That said, this is still a fantastic turntable for the price.
Below are the best models within a $500 budget. For more recommendations, have a look here → Best turntables under $500.
The Fluance RT85 is probably the best-sounding mid-priced turntable in the under $500 range. If you want to expand your stereo system with a belt-drive turntable that punches above its weight, the RT85 offers great sound and high build quality at a reasonable price.
While this is a significantly larger investment than cheaper turntables, the value for money here is high. You will notice a significant improvement in quality compared to decks in the $200-300 range, and it comes with a range of attractive design features.
For starters, it comes fitted with an Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge. These are worth around $150 alone and provide a much better listening experience than most generic cartridges that come installed with new turntables.
Another premium feature of the RT85 is the thick acrylic platter. With a high mass, it helps to reduce unwanted vibrations and improves clarity and tracking. This achieves a more defined midrange, fuller bass frequency, and defined treble. I also think it looks really neat too.
The motor of this belt-driven model is housed on the outside of the plinth, which is unusual but has its advantages – just be careful not to catch the belt and snap it. Because the motor is outside, it helps with isolation to reduce vibration. The motor also has a speed control system that helps maintain consistent velocity and minimal wow and flutter.
Other areas of the turntable are also designed to minimize vibrational interference, including the MDF plinth and adjustable feet. The curved tonearm offers accurate tracking and comes with all the calibration controls you need – although they are a little fiddly.
All these elements combine to achieve a fantastic sound that will keep you pleased for many years. It also comes with an auto-stop feature, which moves the tonearm back to its resting place when the record ends.
The unit itself does feel a little bulkier than other models, which some people may not like. Although I think the unit still looks pretty cool – especially thanks to the acrylic platter – and it sounds great too. Note that there is no integrated phono stage preamp, so you need to use some kind of external phono preamp with this deck.
This minimalistic, stylish turntable is a popular choice for mid-range turntables and offers reasonable sound quality and performance.
The Pro-Ject T1 has an Ortofon OM5e cartridge and is pre-calibrated from the factory. The included cartridge is an excellent entry-level option. However, it doesn’t quite measure up to some of the higher-end cartridges available on the market, such as the Ortofon 2M Blue. It lacks some warmth and clarity of more advanced cartridges.
As for resonance control, this turntable is well-optimized. It uses a heavy glass platter which not only looks cool but helps to improve the audio response of your vinyl and minimize interference. The plinth is also thick and well-engineered to reduce noise.
You can certainly say it has accurate motor speeds and a low level of wow and flutter, although it isn’t as accurate as more expensive models. The aluminum tonearm is well made and balanced and includes a counter-balance calibration, although there is no anti-skate mechanism or any way to adjust the tracking angle, so don’t expect to get perfect calibration.
This model has a hinged dust cover, but no integrated phono preamp.
Overall, the Pro-Ject T1 turntable is a strong choice for those who are looking for a relatively affordable and easy-to-use upgrade over a basic turntable. However, for those who are more serious about their audio equipment and are willing to invest a bit more, there are other turntables on the market that offer better design, sound quality, and overall performance.
One thing to note about turntables is that you shouldn’t necessarily judge them by their price tag. Some decks are overpriced, whereas others are more affordable but still offer excellent quality and a high range of features – like a USB output (and more) in this case.
The latter is true for this Audio-Technica turntable, which offers many cool features (especially for people who want to DJ with vinyl records) without little loss in quality.
This turntable stands out for a number of reasons. The first thing to note is that while it serves regular vinyl collectors well, it’s also designed to be used by beginner vinyl DJs and has all the features a new DJ would need to mix records.
Primarily, it’s a direct drive. This means that the motor has much higher torque, and the platter gets up to speed much quicker than a belt drive. The downside is that it has slightly higher motor noise than a belt-driven model, but for DJing, you can’t beat direct-drive turntables.
Next, you have the variable pitch slider. This offers up to +/- 10% variable speed, letting you beat match records roughly 10 bpm faster or slower than their original speed. It’s not quite as wide as more expensive DJ decks like Technics, but still offers enough range for most mixing situations.
The tonearm is well-balanced and has all the necessary calibration options, including counterweighting, height, and anti-skating. I was also impressed with the build quality of the tonearm array, considering the relatively low cost of this deck.
Another notable feature of this turntable is the range of connection options it offers. Firstly, it includes a USB output for recording directly to digital files – (or for using Traktor/virtual DJ software as a digital vinyl controller.) Secondly, it comes with Bluetooth connectivity, letting you connect the turntable to wireless headphones or wireless speakers.
This is an exciting deck for me, and I think it’s a great option for people who want to get into vinyl DJing but don’t have the money to go for a full Technics setup.
Sure, the quality, consistency, and functionality aren’t as high as Technics, but you can afford two of these decks for the price of one technic.
Overall I think this is a fantastic choice for budding vinyl DJs and new collectors alike. If you want to have a taste of the vinyl DJing experience but also want a well-featured and high-quality turntable for listening, then this is probably the best pick for you.
If you aren’t at all interested in mixing records, I would suggest you look at other turntables which maximize the manufacturing costs in other areas. This turntable does compromise in some areas in order to make it suitable for DJing, so consider that fact before you buy one.
The next models are the top performers with a maximum budget of $200.
Looking for more options in this budget range? Have a look at these guides:
The Fluance RT80 Classic is a brilliant budget turntable for those looking to start collecting records. While it isn’t audiophile grade by any means, it’s still a significant step above turntables in the
Below the $100 price range, and as far as entry-level turntables go, this is one of today’s best deals.
One notable feature is the built-in Texas Instruments phono preamp, which offers surprisingly good-sounding amplification considering the price. The built-in preamp is a useful extra for beginners who probably wouldn’t want to buy an external phono stage (or mess around setting one up). This means you can plug it directly into your speaker system using the switchable phono stage.
The included Audio-Technica AT91 cartridge is only worth around $20, so don’t expect stunning results. That said, thanks to the design of the headshell and tonearm, you can easily upgrade this turntable with a better cartridge. The tonearm features all the important calibration gear to do so – including counterweighting and anti-skate.
It offers generally effective isolation, although it is a little more prone to bumps if you walk around the room due to the lighter build weight. Some of the components also feel a bit flimsy and fragile, like the dust cover hinges, switches, and tonearm array.
All in all, you get a good amount of value for your dollars with this turntable. Don’t expect top-draw sound quality, but you can expect a good amount of improvement over cheaper decks. I think this is suitable for people who want to take vinyl more seriously but don’t want to fork out for a more serious turntable.
When it comes to beginner record players, the Audio Technica AT-LP60X is one of my most common recommendations. It’s affordable, easy to use, and comes with a bunch of other handy features which make it one of the best record players for new vinyl collectors.
A sweet feature of this turntable is its automatic functions. The tonearm is fully automatic, both when starting and stopping records. This means you can make the turntable automatically move the tonearm into place and drop the needle at the touch of a button. The tonearm also automatically returns home when the record ends.
It comes with a built-in phono preamp meaning you can plug it straight into other audio gear without any hassle. You also get a dust cover which keeps your vinyl records clean.
Generally, the sound quality is OK. It won’t make the grade for audiophile ears, but at this price tag, it performs well. It isn’t fantastic at rejecting vibration due to the slightly flimsy feeling of the body, but it’s not terrible. The included cartridge has a moderately warm sound, which is better than cheap decks but nothing special.
I will also say that it’s an integrated cartridge, which means you can’t upgrade it with a better model. However, you can replace the needle when it wears out, giving this deck some longevity. This also means you won’t need to calibrate the tonearm, which is an advantage for beginners.
It has a small footprint, which makes it ideal for tighter spaces and transportation. You can find this fully automatic turntable stocked in most record stores.
Overall, this is a solid choice for beginners or those with a passing interest in record collecting. It doesn’t have the upgradeable or futureproofing of other models. However, it’s also one of the most affordable turntables out there that isn’t total trash.
You can also find it in a version with USB so that you can record vinyl on your computer.
The Crosley C6B-WA is another affordable entry-level turntable with some nice features for its price.
One of the more attractive elements is the Bluetooth output, which lets you easily connect to a Bluetooth speaker or headphones, helping to declutter your setup and reduce cabling.
It also comes with a built-in phono preamp which lets you connect to other powered speakers really easily.
It comes with a cartridge holding an NP-5 needle, which isn’t fantastic but can be upgraded to better models thanks to the headshell design and calibration capabilities. If you want to increase the sound quality, you can buy a better cartridge and get it set up pretty easily.
The overall build quality isn’t bad for the price, although some parts feel flimsy and fragile. The tonearm assembly could have been made to feel a bit sturdier, although it isn’t the worst design I’ve seen.
Compared to the Fluance RT80, which is the same price, this has a few more features, although probably sacrifices sound and build quality. If you want connectivity and ease of use, the Crossley might be a better choice for you, but if you’d rather maximize your tone in this budget range, then go for the Fluance.
You can also choose from 6 different colors and finish styles to find the perfect match for your room or setup!
Looking for more direct-drive DJ decks? Have a look at this guide → Best direct-drive turntables.
The Technics 12000 series are iconic DJ turntables that have developed over decades of use and experience. There is really an unmatched turntable for vinyl DJs, and is widely recognized as the industry standard.
No matter which club or radio station you go in, if they have a vinyl setup, you can pretty much guarantee you’ll find one of these.
Every element of these feels designed with precision and intention. They are rock solid and built to survive the rough life of a club turntable.
The direct drive motor has super high torque, meaning it gets up to speed instantly, and handles really well when jogging for beat matching or scratching.
Despite being direct drive, they actually have exceptionally low motor noise, which is often a downside of a direct drive motor.
The tonearm is sturdy and beautifully made; they include all the calibration controls you need and offer some of the highest calibration precision I’ve found in a turntable.
It also comes with all the controls you need for DJing, including on/off, start/stop, and 33/45/78 rpm. They feature a wide variable pitch control (up to +/- 16%), so you can easily beat-match two records together – even if they were released with drastically different tempos.
Overall, if you are looking for a DJ vinyl turntable, you won’t find much better than a Technics 1200. They can be hard to come by and are pretty pricey, although they offer exceptionally high and consistent performance.
There are a bunch of different things you should think about before buying a record player or turntable to ensure you get exactly the type that suits you.
This section looks at some of the key points to decide. Remember, budget is one thing, but getting a turntable that suits your needs is better than buying the most expensive one you can.
These are a few key turntable characteristics to evaluate:
The build quality of a turntable is often revealed by how heavy and sturdy it feels. You will often find that cheaper decks tend to be made of weak, flimsy plastic. This type of plastic offers little resistance to external vibrations, meaning your listening experience will easily be interrupted by people moving around or other vibrations.
If decks are made from heavier, denser materials, they offer increased vibration resistance – so you won’t need to worry so much about interferences. This also makes them more survivable and just gives them a nicer feel.
A further key factor to consider is whether the turntable is upgradeable in any way. This factor centrally revolves around the cartridge and headshell – and whether you can replace them with different models.
Some turntables come with an integrated headshell, meaning you can’t swap it with any other model and can only use the type it comes with. While you won’t have to worry about calibration, this also means you can never upgrade the sound quality of your turntable by fitting it with a superior cartridge and stylus.
I personally much prefer turntables where you can swap the cartridge for any model – this is usually based on the type of headshell the tonearm uses. Being able to swap cartridges means you can try out different models or upgrade your sound with a high-end cartridge.
Calibration is another important element of turntables. Decks tend to feature a variety of calibration controls – some offer the full suite, whereas others only give you a few basics. Essentially, the more flexibility you have, the wider a range of cartridges you can upgrade to, for example.
Motors are, by nature, vibrating machines. These vibrations can be (undesirably) passed into the turntable’s audio signal. Obviously, you want this to be as low as possible. Rumble is measured in dB (decibels). Typically, a rumble of -78dB is a good start.
Motors also have a tendency to rotate inconstantly. While this is often only by a minor percentage, it still affects the listening experience of vinyl.
This rotational inconsistency is measured in wow and flutter – which is provided as a percentage.
A wow and flutter below 0.25% isn’t audible for most, so you should aim for turntables with this minimum specification, ideally lower.
Preamps also play a large part in the overall sound quality of your turntable setup. A phono preamp is responsible for converting the quest signal produced by your cartridge to a line-level signal which can be boosted to speaker level.
Record players (and many turntables) often have a built-in phono stage (preamp). These usually offer acceptable quality, although you can get something that offers noticeably higher fidelity if you buy a separate phono preamp.
If you are buying a turntable that doesn’t come with a built-in phono preamp, then you’ll need to buy an external one anyway, which is another budget consideration.
Check out my guide on this topic here → What is a phono preamp or phonostage?
The needle and cartridge are two of the most important and defining components of your turntable setup’s sound. Even if you are listening through the most pristine amplifiers and speakers, if you’re using a mediocre cartridge, then the results will be a mediocre sound.
Most intermediate and high-end turntables come with interchangeable cartridges. This lets you replace or upgrade your cartridge at any time. Going for a deck like this is a better investment and is more future-proof than turntable models with a fixed (integrated) cartridge.
Depending on the model you choose, the included cartridge might be basic. So you might consider saving some of your budget for a cartridge replacement. Although, you could always buy the turntable first and save up for a better cartridge later down the line.
Check out my guide on the best cartridges for some of my recommendations!
If you are buying your first turntable, then you need to be wary that you might need to buy more audio gear to get your setup fully working.
If you are buying a turntable, then you should also expect to be buying a phono preamp, an amplifier, and speakers (you won’t need an amp if you are buying active speakers). You should save some of your budget to buy these components if you don’t already own them.
I also recommend getting a pair of headphones so you can listen to your vinyl collection quietly and in private.
You can find various other features in turntables that might interest you.
These include:
Determining the right budget for a turntable can be tricky, considering that for most, collecting vinyl is a hobby rather than one of life’s necessities. (Although some would argue against that.) Here are a few things to consider:
Taking myself as an example, I don’t consider myself to be an audiophile (- I don’t believe in labels much in the first place), but I appreciate fine detail in sound quality. On the other hand, I’m budget conscious. To me, spending over $750-1,000 for a turntable is overkill, but I’d consider upgrades like a $500 cartridge, or a $500 external preamp down the line. That way, you get great performance to start with and you can actually appreciate and enjoy improvements over time.
As with every test I do on VinyliQ, I use my trusty home setup combo of preamp, amplifier and passive speakers, together with a selection of records that help me to test sonic performance with different styles of music.
Leave a comment below and I’ll get right back to you!
I'm a passionate vinyl collector, analog fan, and lifetime enthusiast of most things audio.
On VinyliQ I help fellow vinyl collectors enjoy their hobby to the max, sharing my knowledge about and passion for vinyl.
