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The 8 Best Record Players for Any Budget
Record players have had somewhat of a renaissance in recent years. They make a great feature in any household and allow you to play your favorite music in a unique way that is beloved by many.
Unlike other forms of old technology, there are still plenty of great record players being made. Some are fairly cheap whereas others are very expensive. This is why we wanted to find the best record players for any budget.
The ones we’ve looked at here also have plenty of different features, styles, and qualities so you can decide which one you love. You may want a classic design or opt for something more modern.
Whatever you want, we’ve got you covered here. All you need to do is read on to find the best record players for any budget. Let’s start with our best choice.
Best Buy
1. Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO
With its modernized design, this record player provides superior performance while operating with minimal noise. Thanks to its strong motor suspension that runs on stainless steel bearings, this device turns smoothly and precisely.
Both the motor and the platter are enveloped with plastic, making sure you can enjoy your music without disturbance. The engine is not only quiet, but it allows you to switch between 33-1/3 and 45 rpm with just a push of a button. With its rigid carbon fiber tonearm, you’ll never have to worry about slipping a resonance. The gold-plated audio jacks will further ensure perfect sound quality.
The stylish turntable table has a medium-density fiberboard base that’s being held up on adjustable aluminum feet you can adjust on three different heights. The record player comes with a convenient pre-installed Sumiko Rainer moving magnet cartridge, a felt mat, the required belts, several adapters, and weights.
It even has a handy setup guide, not to mention the two-year warranty. You will only need to provide a power outlet and a sound system, and you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite records.
2. Rega Planar 1 Turntable
If you’re just venturing into the world of record players, you’ll love this Rega turntable. It’s incredibly easy to install, and using it even more straightforward.
With a preinstalled RB110 tonearm that provides strong and precise turning, the Planar 1 is good to go as soon as the guards are removed and the weights put in place. The headshell is not only more functional than any other turntable, but it also adds to the modern aesthetic vibe.
Together with the included felt mat and dust cover, this player can become a beautiful decor piece in a modern home when the device isn’t used. And when you want to listen to your favorite vinyl record, all you have to do is plug in your audiophile turntable.
Sitting on stable feet that increase balance and reduce vibration, the phenolic resin flywheel effect platter provides consistent speed and quiet performance. This is further aided by the zero play bearings, which leave no room for friction. The motor is also silent and even has a cover tray with integrated cooling, so your device and records are always protected.
3. Crosley Cruiser Deluxe Stereo Turntable
With its unique design and wide functionality, this turntable has quickly become one of the most favored record players available on the market. Not to mention the benefits of its low price, which doesn’t sacrifice quality at all.
It features pitch control, a Bluetooth receiver, and even has built-in speakers so you can begin to listen to your favorite music by just plugging in the device. If you want to switch to digital or entertain a larger crowd, you can just use the RCA outputs to hook the Cruiser up to a receiver or some high-powered speakers.
The turntable comes in a suitcase-looking case, which is available in several colors and is incredibly lightweight. You’ll be able to fit it into any space or carry it around easily if you have to.
When you have the perfect place for it, you’ll just have to choose your vinyl and start playing at any of the three preset speed settings. Whether you’re listening to it solo at home or with a group of friends, the design and unique sound of this record player will put a huge smile on your face.
4. Sony PS-LX310BT Belt Drive Turntable
Listening to vinyl records has never been easier than with this wireless turntable. Because it uses Bluetooth technology, you can use it to listen to your favorite records on your wireless speakers, headphones, or any sound system.
If you want you can use the player in wired mode as well, via the RCA cables. Plus, you can rip your favorite records on your computer via USB and take them with you.
It’s easy to control, and you can choose from three different playback speeds and enjoy any of them with one-step auto playback. This way, the turntable automatically lowers the tonearm, and the music will flow until the record ends. Then the arm returns to its previous position automatically.
The aluminum design provides stability and contributes to rigid performance. Additionally, the built-in switchable phono output and preamp will ensure you can enjoy your audio in an incredibly high-quality reproduction. The platter is stable, and it reduces vibration for an even clearer sound.
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5. Audio Technica AT-LP120
Whether you prefer to listen to your old vinyl records in a modernized sound setting or want to transfer them to your PC, you’ll be able to do it with this device.
If you choose the first option, the DC servo motor will allow you to pick from 33, 45, and 78 rpm speeds, so you can find which one fits your music the best. You can do this manually and even in the dark, thanks to the handy built-in Popup stylus target light. Besides the playback, you can also control the pitch and get the perfect sound of a vinyl record.
If you want to amplify your sound, you can rely on the phono pre-amplifier, the phono, or line-level output if you’re using an outside speaker. The balanced S-shaped tonearm is equipped with a hydraulically damped lift control and a lockable rest, allowing no room for skating.
Aside from connecting this turntable to PC or Mac computers for transferring records, you have several other connectivity options. After all, the player comes with a USB and RCA cable, several adapters, and of course, the necessary weights and dust covers.
6. Denon DP-300F Fully Automatic Turntable
For those vinyl lovers who enjoy listening to records with an authentic sound, this Denon automatic turntable could be a very convenient choice. Due to its standard headshell and DC servo motor, you’ll get the perfect turning speed, whether you opt for 33 1/3 or 45 rpm.
The secure aluminum turntable allows no room for slips or unnecessary vibrations that can ruin your enjoyment. This, along with the automatic start function will provide you a rich and flawless performance you can share with other fans as well.
With just a push of a button, you can stop the tonearm and it will come to rest in a lifted position without damaging your records. Installing the turntable is equally easy, and you’ll be able to place it anywhere you want in your home.
When you’re in the mood for some true vinyl sound, you can have the purity of it in a matter of seconds. With the built-in phone equalizer, you can even listen to your music in a modern stage sound. Or, you can connect the player to an integrated amp for more seamless use on a larger scale.
7. Fluance RT80 Turntable
This Fluance record player is built with premium components, from the belt that drives the turntable to the Audio Technica cartridge. With this turntable, you will get a listening experience that has the characteristics of analog vinyl records with a clear sound.
The diamond-tipped stylus tracks the record grooves with precision and accuracy, so you can get the most out of your experience. The balanced aluminum S-Type tonearm further contributes to providing you with every detail, even from the oldest original recordings.
Aside from the perfect playback mechanism, the design of the device also contributes to the absence of vibrations. Made with a beautiful wood casing and advanced insulation, the shell certainly adds to the functionality. With this feature, the music won’t be interrupted by any reverberations, and you will be left with an authentic stereophonic sound.
Plus, the high-quality Texas Instruments preamp and the gold-plated RCA output provide a true vinyl sound even connected to an external speaker. You will only need to pull out your 33 1/3 or 45 RPM records, connect your turntable to your sound system, and enjoy the beautiful music played back on this Fluance record player.
8. Teac TN100B
The strong manual belt of this Teac turntable supports 33, 45, and even 78 rpm records. So if you have a wide selection of vinyl records from various eras of production, you could definitely get a lot of use out of this device.
The sound output is switchable between phono out (for a preamp) or line out with phono EQ (for powered monitors or receivers). Wherever you choose to listen to your music, with the built-in phono equalizer, you will have the classic sound you can enjoy. Not only that, with a USB output, this turntable even allows you to transfer your music from the vinyl to your PC or Mac computer.
With a high-density MDF cabinet and a static balanced straight type tonearm, this Teac record player is a very affordable choice for everyone who loves authentic music. After all, the sound you can get from this device is much clearer than the one produced by many modern direct drive devices and computers. It also comes with a stylus that will provide you with precise performance, and will last you for a very long time.
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