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If you’re a true music lover, you won’t mind investing a bit of cash in order to find the best turntable. The audio quality and fidelity you can get if you invest a fair bit of money is extremely high and professional.
It can be tough to know which models to buy, and different turntables and record players vary a lot in terms of the features they offer. In this article, we’ve collected the best turntables under $1000 for you to check out.
We’ve also given the products nominations based on what specifically they are best for, and which type of listener they’ve been aimed at. No matter what your preferences, you should be able to get a high-end turntable under $1000.
Top 9 Best Turntables Under $1000
Here are the best turntables under $1000:
- Audio-Technica AT-LP7
- Rega Planar 2
- Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB (DC)
- U-Turn Audio Orbit Special
- Denon DP-450USB
- Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB
- Pro-Ject RPM 3 Carbon
- Stanton ST.150 M2
- Yamaha MusicCast Vinyl 500
1. Audio-Technica AT-LP7
Audio-Technica is a brand featured a lot on pretty much any list of high-quality turntables. The Audio-Technica AT-LP7 is our top-rated record player under $1000 due to its high focus on sound and exceptional build quality.
It’s very hard to argue with the audio quality of this turntable. The Audio-Technica AT-LP7 is exceptionally reviewed. The platter is incredibly well made, and the fact that it stays perfectly stable with no flutter makes this a reliable option.
There aren’t any extras like USB connectivity, but this isn’t always an issue. Most audiophiles are buying their turntables purely to listen back to their music.
2. Rega Planar 2
If you are looking for a turntable with exceptional build quality, perfect for spinning records at home, the Rega Planar 2 could be for you.
The Rega brand is not as well-established as some of the others making turntables, but we’re very impressed with what they offer. These have been made with audio clarity and longevity in mind.
Rega products are made with care and this has a lot of potential. If you are looking for the best turntable under 1000 dollars which has the option to pair up with phono preamps or even upgrade the cartridge for true audiophile listening, this could be worth checking out.
This is built to last. It should serve you well for many years if you take care of it, and it is well under the $1000 budget we outlined at the start of this guide.
3. Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB (DC)
There are a lot of products on the list which don’t play records which are designed to be played at 78RPM. Most play at 33 and 45RPM (the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB is capable of this too) but don’t have the option to switch to 78.
On top of this, the Debut Carbon Esprit SB (DC) is a very well-built product for audiophiles and casual listeners to enjoy.
Overall, Pro-Ject has done a good job with the Debut Carbon Esprit SB (DC). It’s one of the best 3-speed turntables in this category.
4. U-Turn Audio Orbit Special
Though sound quality is always our top priority when reviewing record players, there’s nothing wrong with wanting something that looks good.
The U-Turn Audio Orbit Special is certainly a product which looks the part, but it has the audio quality to match, making it a good choice of turntable under $1000.
This is not only one of the best turntables under $1000 but it is only just over $500. The company is nowhere near as big as some of the others, but this isn’t always a bad thing. The turntables are clearly made with care and there are examples of excellent customer service among consumer reviews.
The choice of two wood finishes is a real bonus, and the U-Turn Audio Orbit Special looks great in all sort of homes!
5. Denon DP-450USB
We live in an age of technology. While some users want to buy a turntable to use for listening to old records, some are looking to modernize. Having USB capabilities lets you rip audio straight onto your computer or other devices.
You can get cheap turntables with USB options for under $100, let alone under $1000, but this, the Denon DP-450USB has brilliant audio capabilities and is one of the best record players under $1000 in its own right.
The main complaint about the DP-450USB turntable is the cartridge. The same cartridge is included in some cheaper record players by Denon and other brands which some people are disappointed by. However, it can be replaced if needed.
6. Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB is one of the best-selling turntables under $1000. It is well under the $1000 mark. In fact, it can be picked up for under $300. However, this doesn’t mean it isn’t up to the job.
Though it doesn’t quite have the same audiophile-standard sound that some of the other options on this list can boast, it is high in quality and functionality, making it the perfect choice for many home setups.
Also, the money you can save on this product means you can always get the cartridge replaced for an upgrade on the audio.
We would be lying if we called this the very best product you can buy for the price, but a lot of people are looking to save money. For a little bit less, you can buy a record player which isn’t a significant downgrade on some of the options closer to $1000 in price.
For simple USB functionality and a good-quality way to listen to your records without breaking the bank, this is a great option. We do recommend increasing the quality by adding a higher quality cartridge if you have the know-how.
7. Pro-Ject RPM 3 Carbon
A few of the Pro-Ject models are extremely good and highly-rated while staying under the $1000 mark. The second to make our list is the RPM 3 Carbon.
The brand has managed to create a record player which is extremely small, but it also has some add-ons which can be used to further the capabilities of your turntable if you choose to go with a Pro-Ject.
At first glance, you’d be forgiven for not even realizing this is a turntable. It looks way too compact. This makes it very stylish and you can just imagine this record player sitting in a small but stylish apartment.
If you need something which saves space, this could be a turntable to consider. Also, many audiophiles love to tinker around and add to their turntable over time. You can replace the plinth and things like the cartridge to improve the audio quality over time.
8. Stanton ST.150 M2
While a lot of people coming to this guide will be looking for record players and turntables for home-based listening, there may be some budding DJ’s out there.
The Stanton ST.150 M2 turntable is the makings of a brilliant DJ rig, and an alternative to some of the Technics or Audio-Technica options on the market. It comes in at well under $1000 and is very highly rated.
It can be used for listening to records casually as well as being connected to a DJ mixer, so this isn’t specific to those who want to learn to spin live. However, being a DJ turntable means it has to have certain features which can prove extremely beneficial.
There’s not much to fault with this product, but it is aimed more at people who are aiming to use it in a live environment as DJs. There’s nothing wrong with that, but some casual listeners may be put off by this fact. The truth is, the setup is just as easy as the rest of the options on this list.
9. Yamaha MusicCast Vinyl 500
Yamaha took a long time out of the record player game. They didn’t produce any new models for around 20 years. Some of their new products are pretty impressive, though, and this is one example of a turntable which sounds great and has some modern and high tech features.
This turntable is good if you want to play music in a wireless way. It is no gimmick, the Yamaha MusicCast Vinyl 500 is well thought out, and it looks great, too. However, for true audiophiles, the fidelity might just be lacking a little.
Conclusion
There are many top products in this price range. If you’re looking for the best turntables under $1000, you have plenty of choice.
We’ve named the Audio-Technica AT-LP7 as our very top-rated product. It will impress audiophiles and casual listeners alike. The plinth is designed in a way that doesn’t taint your sound and the speed is reliable, so as to avoid wow and flutter.
Taking a little time to consider which features are most important to you, and matching up the turntable from this list, can make sure you end up with a product you’re delighted with.