If I got a new turntable today - this is what I would buy (6 record player recommendations)

One of the questions I get asked most often is - what turntable do I recommend? There are lots of variables to consider, including budget and expectations. Speaking in broad strokes, here are 6 modern turntables, at 6 different price points, that are worth looking at.
#vinyl #turntable #records
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My goal is to inspire you to grow your music collection, improve your listening experience, discover new music, and support artists (and have fun while doing it).
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MUSIC CREDITS
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Videos shot at the Channel 33 RPM World Headquarters near Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

[Bondrkmz]

I bought and highly recommend U-Turn audio turntables. I like that they are made in America and offer a wide range of price points. I went all in and got the Theory & Ortofon Bronze cart, but there are some much more budget friendly offerings too.

[JimmyV]

No complaint, I spin the Fluance RT85 with the Blue Orotfon cartridge & Love it !!

[drawshot]

I have a Pioneer PLX1000, and am very happy with it. It's a pretty solid option that is right up there with the Technics, but is slightly less expensive. Just be aware that I don't think it usually comes bundled with a needle, but that allows you to choose exactly what needle you want from the start. The only real downside is that the dust cover is not attached by hinges like most other turntables, you just have to lift it completely off and set it aside.

[IntothewestOkotoks]

I just got the RT82 last week, and since it’s been probably nearly 40 years since I played records, and there’s no way to “test” some of these out, I felt I didn’t know fully what to expect. Well, my first impression put a big smile on my face. Even with the “average” cartridge that comes on the RT82 it sounds really, really good. Although I have a proper full stereo setup in my basement, I wanted something strictly for playing records in my living room so I paired this with Fluance ai41s, and the Fluance pre-amp. Though not nearly as loud as my Energy loudspeakers (and Yamaha amp), the ai41s get loud enough for me (good listening volume, but not deafening). I’m very happy with this setup

[vintagevinylvets]

Well done Frank! We purchased the Audio Technica LP 120USB in 2012 and has never let us down. We also love the Nagoka MP 110, it’s great for what we listen to.🙏🏻🎧

[bgroovin]

An alternative to the 1500C is the 100C. It is the same table minus the preamp and has a 95E cartridge, so it's cheaper. Also, a hidden feature for both is an auto spin stop and power off. I've done several upgrades to mine and am extremely happy with it.

[phatdad]

I'm still rockin the Audio-Technica - AT-LP70X and will for a awhile, eventually I'll get me a project but i like my current setup and it works for me the only issue is when my wife bumped it and sent the needle slamming into the mat but that's on me for not having it locked.. now I have to wait till the replacement Stylus gets here lol

[blueriverlore]

Thanks for the info about Discogs. I've been meaning to catalog my records and this is just the ticket. Proud owner of a Technics 1200 Mk5 and just ordered a Technics 1210G with a Ortofon 2M Bronze. Merry Christmas!

[chadddada]

Damn... the timing on this video. Currently looking at my next step up turntable.

[ChrisDons_TheLounge]

Great List. I get asked a lot about Turntables, Stereos, etc. Definitely going to share this list next time.

I started using Discogs for tracking collection about 2 years ago. It took me about 6-8 months to input everything as I did about 20 records a week on average. The older records are much harder obviously and don’t always have a barcode. But I’m happy it’s done now. Good Luck with that process! Good excuse to listen to some albums too.

[mikemoniz]

I bought a Fluance RT85 and added an extra head shell and the MP110. I feel that it's an excellent set up but I'm not getting the most out of it because my cleaning technique sucks. I'm getting a cleaning machine this Christmas, so I'm hoping that does the trick. Nice video.

[evilstrawberrystudios]

Great Video as always Frank, I've been spinning the AT-LP60x for quite a few years now and it's still holding up well, I am thinking though of sometime getting a Fluance RT81 for better Quality and Sound.

[russdavies]

I have the Fluance RT-84 and I love it. No regrets whatsoever.

[chrisblackburn]

I just got the Fluance 81+ love it like that I can easily upgrade it. Great show. Happy holidays to you and your family. Keep on spinning my friend 😎🤘🎅☃️

[MudFlanagan]

Have had the AT LPW50 for a while now. ...Outstanding turntable for the money. Thanks for the great insights.

[ThiKu]

I have the RT81 and love it. I haven’t done any upgrades to it over the five years I have had it because I am so happy with the sound that I am putting my money into records first. But the ability to upgrade basically everything on it easily was a huge selling point for me - the sound is warm and fulsome for the music I listen to (classic rock, folk, country, southern, blues).

[feelyvision]

Technics 1200GR owner…love it…my forever turntable. Previous to that I had a NAD 533 which is a rebadged Rega Planar 2…still going strong 25 years after I bought it..and getting used regularly at my friends house. As such would recommend looking at the Technics 1500C or Rega P3 if you’re looking to upgrade. Two very different turntables but built to last.

[betweenguitars]

I own a Fluance RT82 that I’ve, over the list six months, have completed the rt85 upgrade. I upgraded the cart first, and almost immediately a lot of my older and dirtier records would not play. The ortofon 2m blue sounds great, but was a lot more sensitive and did not seem to like records that weren’t completely clean. Extremely frustrating, but as a cleaned my records, things improved but not completely. However, upgrading the platter to the acrylic fixed that problem too! Records sit completely flat on the acrylic platter, and the issues of certain records not playing were gone! Every record plays! No more pops! One important note: when you do the platter upgrade, lower the cue arm by turning it a half turn with a Philips. Otherwise, your stylus may not reach the record. That wasn’t in the instructions and took a little research to figure out. Once, both upgrades were complete, no more issues! My recommendation is to for everyone to do these upgrades, but if you can’t or don’t want to upgrade both at once, do the platter first, then the cart!

[hosswildcat]

I re-started vinyl in 2008 with an Audio Technica LP120 with an AT440MLB cart. I was left unsatisfied and so then I moved up to the U-Turn Orbit with a Nagaoka MP110 when it came out, then to a Pro-Ject 2Xperience SB with a Sumiko Blue Point #2.

Then I bought the Rega Planar6 with Ania cart and that was almost 7 years ago. I have not replaced it nor have I been inclined to do so. YMMV.

[Waughy]

Recently bought an AT-LP3XBT, and an ATVMN95E stylus. Very good for the price, sounds great (to my wife and I) through our home stereo, and also via Bluetooth to my AirPods Max. Chose this over the 60 as it also has a manual mode, for when we want to listen to a particular track.
Build quality is good, even though mostly plastic like most AT turntables. Hopefully it lasts a fair while.