9+ Best Turntable Under $ 1000 | Unrivaled Guide 2022

You have always been strongly attracted to the turntable : even if you have never owned one in the past and even if you do not consider yourself an expert audiophile, you find the idea of ​​playing records on a turntable and collecting vinyls particularly engaging. In recent times, therefore, you have decided to make this little wish come true.

Best Turntable Under $ 1000

Your curiosity soon led you to search the Net for more precise information on which are the Best Turntable Under $ 1000 currently on the market, in the hope of being able to obtain even more exquisitely technical explanations to direct your choice with greater knowledge of the facts. . Well, I must tell you that you are one step away from realizing your intent: I have prepared this article, in fact, specifically to illustrate its main features and help you guide your choice towards a model that best meets your needs.

It will be enough for you to dedicate a few minutes of your precious time to reading the next paragraphs and you will soon have all the credentials to identify your next turntable, possibly also taking advantage of the purchase advice that you will find at the bottom of the guide. So, are you ready? Perfect, in this case I just have to wish you good reading and good continuation.

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Best Turntable Under $ 1000 | Unrivaled Guide 2022

Types of turntables

To understand what types of turntables exist, we need to understand some fundamental elements, such as traction and chassis.

Traction

Traction is the movement that is transmitted from the turntable motor to the platter. It is essential because it allows the platter to turn, in a constant and precise way, and consequently to listen to music.

There are two types of traction:

• Direct drive, the pin under the turntable platter is connected directly to the motor.
• Belt drive, i.e. there is a rubber belt that connects the motor to the platter. The traction is indirect, because it is the motor that transmits the movement to the platter.

Direct drive turntables offer constant speed and great sound accuracy , and are preferred by DJs. Belt-driven turntables , generally preferred by audiophiles, allow for less vibration. As a result, the needle and the turntable arm do not vibrate, and the sound is cleaner.

Another advantage is that these belt driven turntables are quieter, allowing for faithful listening to music. This is why most quality turntables are belt driven.

Chassis

The main purpose of the frame is to hold together the different parts that make up the turntable.

There are two types of frames:

The suspended frame turntable is equipped with a small frame that supports the platter and the tonearm, and rests on elastic springs, separates the platter and tonearm from the chassis and therefore guarantees complete isolation from vibrations.

Rigid frame turntables use a light and rigid structure, which allows to limit external vibrations. The rigid frame reduces the vibrations of the engine with particular measures for fixing the engine itself to the frame. The advantage of the rigid frame turntable is that once adjusted and correctly positioned its operation remains stable over time.

Automatic and manual turntables

Another distinction is that between automatic and manual turntables.

Automatic turntables do all the work for you. All you have to do is choose the vinyl you want, listen to it, place it on the turntable, and simply press the play button to listen to the music.

Manual turntables are the traditional ones, where once the vinyl is placed, you have to be the one to place the turntable arm on the vinyl in order to hear it.

Most modern turntables are manual, for the sake of convenience.

What are the main components of a turntable?

The function of the turntable is to make the vinyl rotate constantly on a suitable device. With this mechanism it is possible to listen to music. Its components are essential for the smooth operation of the turntable.

Typology

First of all, it is appropriate to make a first distinction by type in relation to the starting mechanism , dividing the turntables into three main categories: automatic , semi-automatic and manual .

The automatic models , as you can easily guess from the term, basically have a play button which, when pressed, moves the arm of the unit towards the vinyl, placing the head at the beginning of the record . As soon as the last track ends, the system it is equipped with automatically blocks the platter, repositioning the arm in its housing.

In semiautomatic turntables , on the other hand, the start of the record must be performed manually by the listener, while the final repositioning is carried out automatically .

Finally, the manually operated turntables are controlled entirely by the user , both in the start-up and shutdown phase, but are still usually equipped with a simple mechanism that keeps the arm raised to facilitate the positioning of the cartridge and avoid causing damage to the vinyl. .

Another important element to take into consideration is that relating to traction : the latter can be a belt , which makes use of a rubber band for the transmission of movement from the engine to the plate, or direct , in which such operation is carried out by a transmission shaft , without any further intermediary tool.

This discriminant is particularly important: on the one hand, in fact, turntables equipped with belt drive are much quieter and lend themselves to standard use, while those with direct drive are characterized by the possibility of bidirectional rotation , which makes them the ideal choice. for DJs .

Reading speed

Reading speed is another requirement that you should pay particular attention to. As you probably already know, there are three types of vinyls, which can be distinguished on the basis of the number of revolutions per minute necessary to be able to listen to them correctly.

• 33.5 rpm – almost always, for convenience, these are referred to simply as 33 rpm or LP.
• 45 rpm – mainly used for the release of singles.
• 78 rpm – these are old records, produced before 1940, which were originally heard on what we can consider as the ancestor of the turntable, namely the gramophone .

The advice I want to give you, therefore, is to make the choice fall on a turntable model equipped with a selector for setting the rotation speed , which is able to allow the reproduction of the various types of vinyls you have.

Head

The cartridge is the terminal part of the arm , that is the one that goes directly into contact with the vinyl , and is characterized by the presence of a stylus (or stylus ) made with industrial diamond, sapphire or ruby, which allows the sound engraved in the grooves of the record to be transmitted to the amplification system.

Any turntable expert will tell you that the choice of cartridge is crucial for quality listening, so I advise you to carefully consider the aspects you are about to tell you about. First of all, an essential distinction must be made between these two types.

• Moving magnet head – in this system the stylus interacts with a magnet positioned between two coils , the movement of which produces the sound which is then forwarded directly to the amplification system. This solution allows you to replace only the stylus as soon as it is worn out.
• Moving coil head – the stylus, in this case, is connected directly to a coil , forming an electromagnetic system characterized by a rather low impedance which, therefore, requires a pre-amplification . In this case, moreover, it is necessary to know that it is not possible to replace only the stylus when it is worn out, but it is necessary to replace the entire head .

Having said that, if you are new to turntables, the advice I would like to give you is to prefer a moving magnet system, as it is easier to assemble and less expensive from an economic point of view. Finally, it is also easier to find spare parts.

The cartridge and the stylus

The cartridge is that part of the turntable arm that sits on the vinyl and that contains a stylus (the needle), which allows the sound to spread.

It is one of the most important elements for the functioning of the turntable.

How long can a turntable cartridge last? It depends on its shape and the maintenance of the vinyl . If the vinyl is not cleaned regularly, dust will accumulate and be a problem for its function over time. The first rustles or distortions of the sound track will begin to appear , in which case you have to change it.

The needle (also called needle) is the smallest part of the turntable, it is the one that rests on the vinyl, runs vertically and horizontally following the recordings on the record (the music), vibrates irregularly between the grooves, transforming the pressure into a signal electric.

When should it be changed? If the needle is deformed, damaged, or you start to hear distortions, noises, then it is time to buy a new one, in order to avoid damaging the vinyl.

There are two types of heads:

• Moving coil cartridge (requires additional pre-amplification, and once worn, the needle cannot be replaced, but the cartridge must be purchased again)
• Moving magnet cartridge (does not require additional pre-amplification, but the stylus can be replaced, without having to buy the cartridge again)

Dish

The platter is the part on which the vinyls are placed during playback. It must have a construction in anti-resonant materials and an adequate weight in such a way as to guarantee a good momentum and therefore a constant speed of rotation.

Mat

It is placed on the plate. Its function is to keep the disc in the right position and prevent it from coming out of the platter, making sure that vibrations and interference are reduced during playback, as well as ensuring greater stability at the rotational speed of the disc.

Sound quality

We know that vinyl exudes great charm, has a quality sound, but its operation is more complex, requires more care and attention than other media, such as records.

Many argue that the sound of vinyl is of higher quality than digital files. It is true?

Especially if we compare it to the tracks we find on streaming services like Spotify, or audio files, like mp3 etc … absolutely yes, the sound is far better.

But there may be exceptions, for example the sound reproduced by a vinyl is not always of quality. It depends on many factors, such as the sound recording, which may not meet the high quality standards.

Vinyl reproduction

Speed. Mind the speed, which depends on the vinyl you want to listen to.

Typically vinyl formats are 33rpm , LP, or 45rpm . These two formats are the most popular and cheapest.

The rarest ones are 78s per minute, or EPs.

Amplification. To listen to music, a turntable needs an amplification system. Typically, budget or mid-range turntables have a built-in amplifier that allows you to hear the sound satisfactorily. The more expensive ones are made in such a way as to allow you to connect an external amplifier, of excellent quality, in order to offer an even more powerful sound.

Automatic or manual playback. You can play the sound from a turntable in two ways, manual and automatic. In manual playback you have to place the mechanical arm on the vinyl, but you have to be careful not to make sudden gestures that could damage the device and its reproduction. In automatic playback, there is a button, once clicked on the button, the music is automatically played. Choosing one over another depends on your personal taste.

External connections

Turntables generally have external outputs.

• One RCA cable output
• A headphone jack
• One SD card slot
• One USB port

In recent years, turntables equipped with a USB port have become popular, allowing connection to a computer.

 Connections

As we saw in the previous paragraph, one of the most important aspects to consider when buying a turntable is the presence or absence of a preamp. Even when this is equipped in the model of our choice, however, evaluating the number and type of connections available is a fundamental step before purchasing. Usually in a turntable, both economic and medium-high range, it is possible to find at least one RCA cable output , compatible with almost all amplifiers and external speakers and necessary for anyone wishing to obtain a good level reproduction. Sometimes there is also a headphone jack, with normal 6.35 or 3.5 mm jack, particularly suitable for DJs or those looking for a model that allows continuous listening without hourly limits.

SD cards

Another function, which we mention for completeness, concerns the presence of an SD card slot . This is an addition present only in the cheaper models , which have internal amplifiers and can also act as speakers . Obviously this is not a relevant feature for those looking for a quality product dedicated exclusively to vinyl, but it can be appreciated by users with no particular pretensions who prefer a device with more features.

 Design and dimensions

Although the design of a product is almost always considered a purely aesthetic factor, in the case of turntables this aspect takes on particular importance, not only because it is an object that is generally of a fairly large size, which can become an integral part of the furniture. but also because some models do not have the necessary protections and could be easily damaged. Usually, in fact, turntables are equipped with a plastic or wooden lid that completely covers the platter and the arm, so as to minimize the intrusion of dust and humidity. While this seems like an inexpensive and decidedly not very advanced addition, not all models have it, while others offer onesuitcase-like structure but smaller than the maximum size of a vinyl. If the lid closes during playback, it could easily break the disc or seriously damage it.

Does the price matter?

Currently on the market it is possible to find models of every price range, even starting from less than $ 100 to reach well over $ 1000 .

• The cheap products , up to $ 300 , are generally suitable for those who have no particular interest in audio quality, but are more interested in the object itself and in the possibility of listening to old records from time to time.
• The mid- range , which ranges from about $ 300 to $ 800 , is instead suitable for those who want to approach the world of vinyl more seriously, with a product that can last over time and offer good reproduction quality.
• The highest range , from $ 800 upwards , is recommended only for those who already have extensive experience in the sector, have an excellent amplification system and are able to fully appreciate the quality offered by extremely expensive turntables.

FAQs

Is the brand important?

In the Hi-Fi industry, as in many other fields of electronics, the brand can make a big difference . Although in recent years products from virtually unknown houses, popular because they are extremely cheap, have spread widely, the producers who have made the history of vinyl remain the most reliable , now representing a guarantee for users who over time have learned to appreciate the quality of their turntables. Among the best known are Pioneer , Thorens and Audio Technica , whose catalogs include models of different price ranges, able to satisfy the vast majority of needs. Unless you want to go below $ 100, it is advisable to rely on high-level producers.

Are the materials important?

As we mentioned in the previous paragraphs, one of the factors that most easily contribute to worsening the quality of the audio reproduction are the vibrations caused by the motor and the rotation of the disc. In particular, if the turntable base, tonearm and platter are not constructed of solid materialsannoying background hums are likely to be perceived while listening, significantly worsening the listening experience. It should also be considered that, in case of damage or malfunction, many components can be replaced, but the cost of this operation can only be justified when the turntable has general characteristics of medium or high level. The advice is therefore to focus on a solid and stable model, which guarantees not only greater durability, but also better sound quality .