Five under $300 turntables, five great ways to get into vinyl

[ericdaniel]

Don't do it. It's a trap.
Today: $300 turntable that plugs right into the back of your existing amp.

5 years later: $9, 000 table with $1, 500 tonearm, $2, 000 cartridge, and $4, 000 standalone pre-amp. Next purchase: $3, 000 ultrasonic record cleaning system.

[jeffreyboisvert]

Purchased the Fluance RT-82 and am very happy with it. One nice feature that I don't see on other tables is the auto stop after the record is finished and has continued to turn for about 15 seconds.

[wclark]

I think there's a point (and I think it depends on your budget) where a turntable is going to break your heart. I know if I spent $5, 000 on a turntable and it revealed that most of my records sound like garbage, I'd be sad.

[agm]

I like the way my Technics SL 1300 feels and sounds. I paid around $300.00 back in around 1974.

[koobs]

I love my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon, I paid around $300 for it a few years back. So far I haven’t been itching to upgrade, I’m still very happy with it.

[wilcalint]

At some price point, pretty quickly, your turntable is going to perform ( way ) better then the cutting table that created the Master LP Disc(s). Some points made in this video ( $300 ), belt drive and 90% of all LP's are a pretty good start. You have to get into LP's like those made by Sheffield Labs in the 70's where spending a whole lot more then that on a turntable makes any sense at all. Cutters creating Masters Discs today are CaCa.

[davidgena]

My choice would be a Fluance RT 81 or RT 82. Both are beautiful and sound terrific.

[DarrellWefel-tskr]

I have a Hitachi HT- L 303. I've had it close to 40 years, I have replaced the cartridge on it once and the bely on it once! And it is an outstanding turntable !!!

[scottdavis]

I got to play the Fluance RT-52 the other day. A very solid built table for the money! I believe Fluance has a top tier TT for around $500.

[dayfornight]

I love my U-turn table Orbit .. I got the green colored one with the grados black cartridge and cork mat.. .

[mikez-ht]

I really love my U-turn Orbit Plus with 2m blue Orofton, SQ is amazing & worth the upgrades!

[matthewhilty]

The music hall mmf-1.3 does have a detachable head shell and anti skate, which is why i picked it over the others

[mrpositronia]

After 6 years of owning a stock Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit (with Ortofon 2M Red), I recently connected a Goldring G1042 and Schiit Mani to it. Why didn't I do that sooner? It's like a complete life-changing makeover for it.

[j.m.w.]

Love my Grundig PS 3500 from 1982. It's virtually identical to the Technics SL-Q3:

Feat. cast aluminium chassis, butter smooth lift, beautiful pitch, direct drive - I inherited it from my grandfather. And you can get one like it online for 90 bucks...
A factory new model would have to step up at least two levels, everything else would be nonsense. 🤫😍

[alansmithee]

U-Turn Orbit.
Great value. Great sound.
Looks cool. Nice cue-ing & etc. as Steve spoke of .
And, your choice of colors and various add-ons like a lifter, a cool looking clear acrylic platter and other.
Also, really good customer service, after the fact... very accomodating...

[luismontesinos]

Just bought the Audio Técnica and the sound is great very simple and easy to use setup took me less than 10 min

[scottyo]

I use a UTurn Orbit custom. Mine went a little over $300 with the acrylic plater and tone arm lift.

[royallstar]

I have a Linn Axis turntable with Alphason Opal tonearm and A&R P77 cartridge. I run it on a Marantz 2230 and a pair of vintage Mission 720 speakers. It's a great sounding system for a low budget.

[romainmarchese]

I have a simple Pro Ject 'Essential II', then for a short time the 2m-red was 70 €, I took advantage and I really do not regret, .., ,, musically!

[ianmedium]

I actually think the “brown” one looks the best!