We’ve tested a number of dedicated turntables and record players over the years. Here are some of the most recent:
All-in-one players
The Arkrocket Huygens is similar to the Angels Horn H019 and Syitren Paron II and typically priced a bit lower, but it doesn’t sound as full.
The Fuse Vert plays records on a nearly vertical, rather than horizontal, plane. It has a built-in FM radio in addition to the turntable and Bluetooth. However, it can feed back if played loudly, producing an intolerable “whooming” sound.
The LP&No.1 USB wireless turntable has a USB output for digitizing your records. However, it sounded thinner and less clear than our picks.
If you want the least-expensive all-in-one record player that sounds decent, the Victrola Eastwood Signature and Victrola Eastwood II feature two-way stereo speakers, with separate woofers and tweeters, that sound much fuller than the ones built into less expensive models—although the sound quality of these record players was a big step down from that of the Angels Horn H019 and Syitren Paron II. These players come with an Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge and require no setup, but the tonearms are not adjustable. They have Bluetooth input and output and can play 78 rpm records. The only difference between the two appears to be the styling and the Eastwood II’s simpler, one-button control system.
The Victrola Premiere V1 was close to being a pick. Our panelists loved the extra fullness that its included subwoofer added, and they were impressed with its midrange clarity and treble response. However, it was more complicated to set up and had a major speed-accuracy issue: It ran at 31.5 rpm rather than 33 rpm.
The affordable Victrola Re-Spin is a portable player made from recycled plastic and packaged in recycled materials. Our panelists thought its single upward-firing speaker couldn’t match the sound quality and bass response of some other players in its price range.
Dedicated turntables
The Audio-Technica AT-LP3 is fully automatic with start and stop buttons, but it was one of the least accurate turntables we’ve tested. Also, some reviews indicate possible issues with the motor over the long term, causing the speed to become unreliable.
The Denon DP-400 is a former pick that remains a good option, but the dust cover’s design proved to be a polarizing feature that some panelists and readers strongly disliked—it must be completely removed when you’re playing a record and replaced when you’re done. This turntable sounds good, has a phono stage built in, and includes lots of convenient features.
The Fluance RT82 is a step down from our top pick. It’s a solid choice if you want to spend less, offering good sound and ease of use. We heard some minor issues with wow and flutter, where the pitch of a note on one R.E.M. track seemed to change while it played. If you’re more sensitive to wow and flutter, you should take this into consideration.
The Rega Planar P1 is easy to set up, and we liked the sound. But with the speed-change belt located under the platter, it isn’t as easy to use as other models. It also ran about 1% fast when we measured it.
The Pro-Ject T2 is a well-built, functional, reliable turntable that’s easy to set up—but its performance was lackluster compared with other turntables at its high price. It sounded quite pedestrian while offering no extra functionality or interesting features. If you want a Pro-Ject turntable, we suggest you consider our previous runner-up, the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo, for only $50 more. We still like the Evo a lot; it has fantastic build quality, and it’s more upgradable than our top pick. But the sound profile is less neutral than that of the Fluance and Rekkord turntables; it emphasizes the lower midrange and bass, which may not appeal to everyone.
The Sony PS-LX310BT was easy to set up and use, but it had the worst speed accuracy of anything we tested, and its far higher tracking force (3.5 grams, versus 1.8 to 2.0 grams for other turntables) will cause more wear to your records over time.
The TEAC-280BT-A3 is a Bluetooth-enabled turntable that we compared directly with the JBL Spinner BT. Though it performed admirably on its own, it lacks the weight and luxury of the Spinner BT, and the built-in preamp is a bit too loud, which can lead to distortion on loud records. However, it is incredibly easy to set up, and at the time of writing, it’s on sale for about $270. If you can grab it at that price, we recommend it.
The Victrola Automatic is the most disappointing turntable we’ve tested in terms of sound quality and build quality, even at its lower price of $200. It sounds cheap and dull, and the entire machine (including the tonearm!) is made of plastic. On the plus side, it comes standard with a built-in preamp, it is fully automatic and very easy to use, and it has Bluetooth connectivity. This turntable could be appropriate as a gift for a child interested in vinyl, but otherwise we recommend you spend a little more on the U-Turn Orbit Basic.
The Victrola Stream Onyx Works with Sonos Turntable sounds great, but it forces you to use its just-okay built-in preamp (no phono or line switch), does not allow you to easily adjust the base for perfect horizontal playback, and has a bizarre dust cover that you can’t use during playback. If you’re already rocking a formidable Sonos environment, this turntable could be worthwhile, but we don’t recommend it otherwise.
This article was edited by Adrienne Maxwell and Grant Clauser.
