The Best Turntable in April 2024: Buyers’ Guide

A turntable is a worthy investment to be used for musical purposes, including your vinyl collection. Both of these possessions are valuable so you don’t want any damage to them. In order to make the most fantastic choices, thorough planning, buying, and installation are required. 

Below are some common guidelines on how to choose the best turntable. 

• Learning the principle: Get yourself familiar with a turntable’s components to see how it functions. You’ll understand how everything is supposed to work and what makes a better system overall. 

• Identifying which features you are going to need: Would you like built-in speakers with Bluetooth? Do you prefer manual or automatic tonearms? Turntables are designed with many features across multiple models and makes. Some features and accessories are necessary while others aren’t so much. So, please make sure to list what particular components you require and prioritize them.

• Finding out how much space you can have: Your newly purchased musical equipment needs a secure, clean and decent place to be placed at. Laying your turntable on the floor or unsafe places can result in it being damaged or broken and even the record you put on the platter.

• Figuring out what kinds of components you are going to need: In this turntable buying guide, we will show you what is necessary to set up a turntable. It is compulsory to figure out what types of components you will need since that adds to the overall quality, cost, and size of the turntable’s installation.

• Deciding on how much you’re willing to spend: Turntables and record players are provided at various prices to suit multiple budget needs. Once you’ve finished researching the best components and equipment that suit your needs, you should decide on what budget you’re going to spend, so you can get a quality choice without breaking the bank. 

You'll be well on your way to selecting the ideal turntable after you have a price range, size requirements, list of accessories, and other considerations in mind.

1. What is required for the setup of a turntable? 

An innovative turntable may not need as much installation as older models require as much setup as an older model, but it might be different if it is for a classical sound. No matter how old your turntable or record player is, it’s likely that you are going to require: 

• A solid surface to place your turntable on and exhibit it

• A preamp that more recent record players have

• An amplifier with phono support

• One or multiple speakers, depending on your installation.

When you can verify what you require for the setup of a turntable, you can have When you know what you need for a turntable setup, you will know how much budget and space you have to support multiple turntables. understand how much space and budget you have to accommodate various record players. While some record players have a compact and minimalist appearance, others display a more striking design. 

2. Is an amplifier a necessity for a turntable? 

If you have speakers that are active or powered, they have their own amplifiers and need power from an external source. This might differ your setup from speakers that are passive. An in-line preamp may be needed with an active speaker, but there’s no need for an amplifier.

Passive and active speakers both have their goods but their quality differs depending on the speaker models and the setup overall. The more components there are in a setup, the more research you will have to do to make sure that each part of your turntable and speakers produce top-notch sound.

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3. How much should you invest in a turntable?

How much you should spend on a record player or turntable entirely depends on your budget but you’ll also have to factor in the quality and setup you prefer when playing your music. Vinyl collectors would want things that provide clear and great sound but your expenses don’t need to limit your choices.  

Although it’s probably not worth it to invest entirely by choosing a turntable at the highest price range, it’s not recommended to go for the cheapest one, either. The lowest-cost turntable could: 

• Ruin records

• Have unstable components

• Easily break

• Produce low-quality sound

Given such reasons, it’s better to spend a little more to be guaranteed higher quality. You don’t want to ruin anything related to your vinyl collection while still enjoying your audio experience at the same time. Apart from quality, these are the attributes that can affect pricing:  

• The model’s scarcity

• The brand

• Any additional abilities or features 

4. What is the best low-cost turntable? 

The best low-cost turntable entirely depends on what you regard as “low cost.” Some people consider a turntable that costs a few hundred dollars a budget one while others think it’s too high. However, you should also factor in the overall sound quality and setup that you wish for. Nevertheless, if you would like to save more, you can: 

• Search for reliable, used options 

• Watch out for possible hand-me-downs.

• Restore an old turntable if you can.

Your best course of action is probably looking for used options. Go to a thrift store or find a trustworthy seller for a used product at a reasonable price.  

5. Best Turntables under $100

Finding the best turntable for under $100 requires some research work. Make sure you choose trustworthy retail shops and manufacturers, especially if you want high-end sound at a lower price. These are some of the most common record players: 

• Technics SL 1200 that can simply be plugged in and played.  

• Jensen JTA-245 with easy controls for customizable audio. 

• ION Audio Max LP is a great entry-level turntable.

Many reasonably priced turntables and record players and turntables are ideal for starters and users who just want a simple setup. 

6. Best Bluetooth Record Players

A Bluetooth turntable can connect to your headphones or speakers wirelessly for a consistent installation. Check out the following products if you are keen on today’s technology:

• Sony PS-LX310BT

• Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT

• Victrola Technology Bluetooth Turntable

A record player with Bluetooth connectivity may meet your needs if you're looking for contemporary and adaptable audio equipment, however some audiophiles and purists prefer physical setups.

7. Best Audio-Technica Turntables

Audio-Technica is a well-known maker of sound equipment. It’s been producing record players, turntables, etc. since the 1960s. Below are some famous Audio-Technica record players:

• AT-LP120-USB

• AT-LP60BK-USB

The straightforward setup and functionality of Audio-Technica record players make them a popular choice for beginners.

8. The best turntable to be used at home

Any of the aforementioned turntables could be proper to be used at home. Consider these factors when you pick a home-based turntable: 

• The size of the space you have available to accommodate the turntable, speakers, and other components. 

• Your room setup when you decide upon the number of speakers and where they will be placed. 

• Consider buying a built-in speakers option that’s portable since it might be more proper to be used in smaller houses or in a house with many rooms. 

• Make sure to read reviews and have good knowledge of your selections before purchase. 

If you’re a beginner when it comes to buying turntables, don’t make a higher-end investment. Look into first-level, thrifted, or budget-friendly options to get a sense of what suits you and your setup the best. You can investigate high-quality alternatives and other ways to personalize your audio equipment once you've gained some more knowledge and experience.

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Find your ideal turntable at Jeff The Brotherhood

We sincerely hope that our buying turntable guide has given you a head start in choosing the best turntable.  Everything needs to be taken into account, including your audio requirement, your budget, and the space you have available.