Consumer Electronics Product Reviews

Cell Phones, TVs,Electronics Products News

Best turntables under $300

by ·

I received a question yesterday that I realized would make an excellent post here.  “What makes and models of turntables do you recommend under $300?”

There are lots of turntables available for under $300 now.  Some are quite good, some will turn your records into vinyl shavings with their low-quality cartridges and poor designs.  The turntables here, even the $99 models, are real turntables that will make music and preserve your record collection.

The list is dominated by Audio-Technica and Pro-ject. This is natural since both companies lead the under-$300 turntable market.

Without further ado, here are my top turntable recommendations under $300. All of them include a pre-mounted cartridge, which is logical since most people looking for a $300 turntable want something that can actually play records right out of the box.  Some have a built-in phono preamp, and a couple have both a phono preamp and a USB connection for use with a computer. Prices are street prices, not list and links to the turntables are below my comments about them.

essential

Pro-ject Essential II $299 

  • Belt drive
  • Ortofon OM-5E cartridge
  • Several colors available

This basic turntable looks like a reissue of an earlier Pro-ject Debut model, of which there are several.  All the Debuts were the leading budget turntables of their respective times. The latest version, the Debut Carbon, is also the class leader but starts at $399 and has a much better cartridge, the Ortofon 2M Red. Several colors and upgrades are available. This is a basic audiophile turntable and could well be the best sounding of the lot, by virtue of the very high quality arm. You will need an external phono preamp, or a receiver or amplifier with a phono input. See them at the link below.

Pro-ject Essential II

at_lp120bk

Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB $249

  • Direct drive
  • Audio-Technica AT-95E cartridge
  • Switchable built-in phono preamp
  • USB connection for use with a computer
  • Removable headshells for fast changing of different cartridges

For a long time this was THE go-to turntable under $300. It looks like a clone of a Technics SL-1200 and is heavy, well-made and feels substantial beyond what you think $250 would get you. The arm is nicely-finished, has lots of adjustments and an excellent starter cartridge comes pre-mounted. In short, it has everything you need, including USB and a built-in phono preamp. If you have a receiver with a phono input, set the turntable to PHONO and use the receiver phono input.  If it does not, set the turntable to LINE and use it with any input you want (except phono.) The platter is ferric so you can’t use a moving coil cartridge on it as the magnets are too strong and will pull the cartridge to the platter.

AT-LP120-USB in silver

AT-LP120-USB in black

fluance_rt81w2

Fluance RT81

  • Belt drive
  • Audio-Technica AT-95E cartridge
  • Switchable built-in phono preamp
  • Automatic motor shut-off mechanism stops the record at the end
  • Beautiful wood plinth (base)
  • Removable headshells for fast changing of different cartridges

The Fluance RT81 is the first real competitor to come along to challenge the AT-LP120-USB. It uses the same cartridge in a belt-drive design with a rich-looking real wood finish that looks more expensive than it is. The platter and tonearm are not as finely finished as the ones found on the AT-LP120-USB turntables, and the arm is not as adjustable. This turntable has played to great reviews from both journalists and consumers.  I have tried it myself and like it a lot, and choosing between the RT81 and AT-LP120-USB would be difficult for me as they are priced the same and each has their charms. I found the RT81 to have a better built-in phono preamp than the AT-LP120-USB, and with clean vinyl I think the RT81 had superior sound.  However the AT-LP120-USB  was more forgiving of scratched or dirty vinyl and it has a USB connection.  You won’t go wrong with either one, and if you chose the RT81 just by virtue of the classy wood base I would not fault you at all for it!

Fluance RT81

 

pj-phono-elemental-white

Pro-ject Elemental $229

  • Belt drive
  • Ortofon OM-5E cartridge
  • Several colors available

This is a great choice for those who want Pro-ject quality and the audiophile panache it brings, but don’t have much more than $200 to spend.  Its minimalist good looks will complement most any system.  Be sure to isolate it from room vibrations as it is quite lightweight.

Pro-ject Elemental

at_lp60_rbl

Audio-Technica AT-LP60 line, $99-$179

  • Belt drive
  • Many colors available
  • Switchable built-in phono preamp
  • Built-in cartridge with replaceable stylus (model unknown)
  • Automatic operation
  • Available USB output
  • Available Bluetooth

This turntable is for those who have to be WAY under $300.  There are lots of people like that, and they should be able to enjoy records, too! Several models are available in the AT-LP60 line.  All of them have a switchable phono preamp and there is a USB model and a Bluetooth model. Unlike the others, it has automatic operation and has the unique distinction of being the only sub-$100 turntable on the market that won’t damage your records.  Sound is OK, if not great, and surprisingly detailed if a little bit thin.  What do you expect for $100, though?

Audio-Technica AT-LP60 turntable line

Thanks to J.P. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the question that sparked the creation of this post!  It may find its way into the newspapers someday!

You may also like...