Your first turntable purchase is an exciting one, though it could be a little daunting. What brands should you be looking at? Will be looking to connect it to an existing hi-fi set up or maybe that portable bluetooth speaker you have? For your first purchase it might just be about what fits in the space that you have.
There is a lot to consider before settling on your first turntable and making the right choice is about finding what’s right for you, not simply what the “best” turntable is. So, with that in mind we have put together a list of our top 3 starter turntables to suit any budget, style or cause.
Before we get into our recommendations, if you haven’t already, check out our guide on Turntable Anatomy: What to look for in a new turntable purchase. If you are new to turntables and Vinyl this is a great place to start that will explain in a bit more detail the process that we have gone through to make these recommendations. It’s like that “teach a man to fish” thing.
First up its our most affordable turntable from Audio Technica - The LP60X
Retailing usually around the $225 mark, and the cheapest option on this list, the LP60X is far from a limited investment. With an outstanding stylus and cartridge for the price, and a full size, limited resonance aluminium platter. It has all the quality essentials for a reliable turntable that will look after your records.
One of the biggest features of this turntable is the fully automatic operation and super simple set-up. It will take you about 5 minutes to set up after taking it out of the box. Just install the platter (couldn’t be easier), plug it in, and then due to the fully automatic operation, place your favourite record on the mat and just hit play. The tonearm will automatically lift, and safely lower onto your record. When side A is done, don’t rush up, the tonearm will lift and place itself back on its rest for you. While this may be a convenience that some audiophile’s and vinyl lovers aren’t looking for, we think it’s a great modernisation that reduces that amount you need to know and learn before you start spinning your first record.
The LP60X comes with a dual RCA to 3.5mm cable that can plug into the 3.5mm jack on the back of the player. This means you could also use a standard aux cable to plug in your player to almost any modern speaker including many popular portable Bluetooth speakers if you already have one at home. This is possible due to the built-in switchable phono pre-amp. If you are committed to using an existing Bluetooth speaker, there is an option that includes a Bluetooth output for about an extra $65. You could use that $65 to go towards some Powered Speakers that will improve your sound quality as well though.
Despite its mostly plastic construction (apart from that metal platter) the LP60X still looks the part and comes in a little smaller than other turntables which is great for most apartments or a bedroom or home office. Available with a red or white front panel or in all black.
Option Number 2. The Upgradable LP2X
If you either have a little more in the budget, or want some of those more authentic upgrades like a manual tonearm and a player that can grow with your home Hi-Fi set-up, then Audio Technica’s LP2X could be a great choice.
Similar to the LP60X, the LP2X still gives you the modern convenience of automatic operation. If you want the joy of “dropping the needle” yourself however, you can... with the help of the hydraulicly damped lift control of course. With the improved tonearm comes a little more set up as you will have to set the counter weight and anti-skating but this is made easy with some simple, clear instructions. It shouldn’t really take you more than 5 minutes.
At $368 our mid-priced option gives you a higher end look and feel, with less plastic, and a bit more weight to the table. You still get a built-in switchable phono stage so you can connect directly to any powered speaker. The only way to connect this model to your system though is with the attached dual RCA cable. If your speakers or amp don’t have an RCA input, then you’ll need an adaptor.
And finally, behind door number 3 we have 2 more Turntables from Audio Technica. The LPW40WN and the LPW50PB.
These two fully manual turntables come in at $549 and $599 respectively and there isn’t a lot between them feature wise. First thing you’ll notice, these turntables look great. Minimal buttons and switches, solid mdf plinths in either Piano black or Walnut, both of these tables look great.
The biggest difference between these and our previous contenders is that while they were designed with an entry level consumer in mind and a focus on features that make things easier, the LPW40 and 50 take a more traditional approach to turntables. There is no automatic placement of the tonearm but we get upgrades there from both a look and a sound point of view. From the carbon fibre tonearm and replaceable head shell, the heavier mdf plinth and the solid, die-cast aluminium platter (in Matte Black) and rubber mat, all the features here make these players genuine high-fidelity machines and provide you with that genuine anolog, vinyl record experience. Did I mention they look cool?
From a convenience standpoint you can still connect directly to powered speakers with the built-in phono stage which is switchable if you’d prefer an external one down the track. There is also an elegant switch on the top of the plinth to swap from 33 to 45rpm. All this means is that while the LPW40 and 50 have the sound to satisfy a seasoned audiophile, they have the features you need to get set up and playing records in a flash.
A recommendation?
The best turntable is the one you have, and if you don’t have one, any player on this list will be a solid investment.
If you just want to get started straight away and would rather spend your money on your record collection than the system you are playing it on, then go the LP60X. I’d personally stick with the standard option rather than upgrade to the Bluetooth version. The LP60X is satisfying because it's easy, you don’t want to be messing around with connecting and disconnecting from Bluetooth (If you are planning on using your current portable Bluetooth speakers you can still plug it in with an AUX cord). Pair it with some Edifier speakers that will allow you to plug in the turntable but still stream music through Bluetooth with a simple switch.
If you are after the complete vinyl record experience, or you simply have more in the budget, go for the LPW40 or 50. Pick the one you think looks best and start enjoying everything vinyl records have to offer. Usually, we recommended to match your speakers with the turntable price wise, so if all you have is a small portable Bluetooth speaker I would recommend upgrading when you can. The YU4’s or YU6’s from Kanto are a great match and have switchable inputs so you can play music from your beautiful new record player or your phone at the push of a button. Don’t quite have the budget but have your heart set on the table? The Edifier 1280DBs powered speakers are outstanding value for money. Either way you go you’ll have a system that will take a long, long time to grow out of.
Happy Listening,
Paul – Bendigo Vinyl
