Best Turntable Under $1000

Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Turntable

The Audio-Technica professional turntable is the perfect starter turntable to bring your records into the digital era. You can digitize your vinyl collection with the AT-LP120-USB, a belt-driven turntable from Audio-Technica. Using USB outputs and Audacity software (compatible with Macs and PCs), vinyl records can be converted to MP3 files for listening anywhere, and they can be plugged directly into your computer and listened to anywhere.

Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB turntables are entry-level with phono and line outputs, so they can be used with any device with a 1/8" (3.5mm) jack to listen to vinyl. You can use it to convert old vinyl records or collect them if you like. Its belt-drive system ensures that your records play without skipping or compromising audio quality. Because it has a direct drive, you won’t have to worry about wet hands when playing the Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Turntable.

AT-LP120 direct-drive turntables are lightweight, have interconnects, 45-RPM adapters, and AC lines, and are mid-range direct-drive turns. Audio-Technica’s AT-LP120-USB Turntable combines a sleek design with an analog feel for high-performance vinyl enthusiasts.

The AT-LP120 stereo phono preamplifier provides full automation with RIAA equalization and a motor with three-speed settings (33/45/78 RPM) With its direct drive motor and USB output; the AT-LP120 turntable delivers an authentic vinyl experience. It plays 33 1/3 RPM records, 45 RPM records, and 78 RPM records, making it a great entry-level turntable.

The AT-LP120-USB features a built-in phono preamp so that it can be connected to any stereo system or audio player and is best turntable under $1000.

Turntables like the AT-LP120-USB are great for playing vinyl records because they come with a dual magnet phono cartridge (12" mount universal) which can be used immediately.

This entry-level to mid-level AT-LP120-USB turntable features a die-cast aluminum platter (stroboscopic platter) and slip mat to ensure superior sound quality. An optional dust cover is included to keep the turntable clean.

I like the Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Turntable’s forward and reverse play capabilities and its start/stop button, as it eliminates a greater amount of surface noise than older models.

Learn Benefits of having active speakers for turntable

Quick Observation

• Fully-automatic operation
• 1/2" mount, grounded
• Removable headshell (quick changeover)
• USB Output for Recording
• Auto-Stop/Manual Mode switchable
• Internal Speakers and Headphones Jack
• Pitch lock with quartz-controlled accuracy
• Pitch change sliders can be adjusted by +/-10% or +/-20%

Is it possible to play records at 78 RPM on the Audio-Technica Turntable AT-LP120-USB? Yes! 78 RPM records can be played on the Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Turntable by setting the speed to “78 RPM” and adjusting the tracking force.

Read: Best Cartridge Alignment Protractors

Pioneer DJ PLX-1000 Turntable

Pioneer’s PLX-1000 Turntable offers excellent sound quality for DJs and audiophiles. It also detects pitches automatically or can be manually adjusted to your liking. A gimbal supports the S-shaped tone arm of the PLX-1000 turntable, which holds up to eight records, runs at 33 1/3 or 45 RPM, and has a dust cover.

Pioneer PLX-1000 has durable construction and handy features such as the built-in speakers and preamp; it comes with Multi-tempo Control (you can amplify or slow down tracks at 8%, 16%, or 50%).

The Pioneer PLX-1000 turntable delivers excellent sound from vinyl records thanks to its Flexible Connectivity and automatic tone control. For precise tracking and stable playback, the turntable has a quartz counterweight system and a built-in dust cover protecting unused records.

Despite having a brushless DC motor, the Pioneer PLX-1000 turntable does not have tracker errors over 3°.

The Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable is the most user-friendly turntable I’ve ever used, and I found great features like built-in preamps and automatic tonearm cueing ideal for severe and casual listeners and is best turntable under $1000.

Fluance RT81 Elite Turntable

Fluance RT81 is a high-quality turntable that has an ergonomically designed cabinet (MDF wood plinth) and comes with a tonearm capable of being upgraded to a better cartridge later.

Fluance RT81 turntable takes audiophile sound to the next level and features a belt drive 2-inch with a vacuum tube amplifier.

Fluance RT81 is equipped with a high-torque direct drive motor with excellent tracking ability, less wow, less flutter, an automatic operation system with 50% more power than comparable models, an acrylic platter with slip mat, addition to a highly precise metal platter, and adjustable resonance damping feet that reduce unwanted micro-vibrations.

The Fluance RT81 features an S-Type tonearm that offers superior record tracking and is compatible with the H-4 Bayonet Mount, and has been praised for its Anti-Skating adjustment.

The Fluance RT81 is a belt-driven turntable that comes with an Audio Technica AT95E stylus (diamond elliptical tip stylus), and also there are speed settings of 33 1/3 RPM, 45 RPM (78 RPM - No), and Auto-Stop.

Good Features

• Auto-start/stop turntable
• Low vibration motor
• Rubber feet to protect your furniture
• Pitch control dial
• Tonearm with S-shape and belt drive

Topic: Benefits of having budget powered speakers for a turntable?

Audio-Technica AT-LP7 Manual Belt Drive Turntable

An Audio-Technica AT-LP7 turntable combines a strong tonearm with an aluminum platter and dual start/stop buttons, making it a best turntable under $1000.

The Audio-Technica AT-LP7 features a sleek, minimalist engineered Wood design, producing unmatched sound quality with an outstanding design.

With its low wow and flutter rates, switchable preamp, mid-century modern design, and optional USB output, the Audio-Technica At-LP7 turntable is the company’s top model.

Audio-Technica AT-LP7 turntable features two speeds: 33-1/3 and 45 RPM, as well as an integrated phono preamp and comes with a pre-installed 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical bonded stylus for a higher level of listening experience.

The Audio-Technica AT-LP7 features a J-shaped tonearm with a metallic gimbal suspension system that enables precise sound reproduction and good tracking, and there is a switchable phono/line preamp available.

Stanton ST. 150 MKII Turntable

Stanton ST. 150 MKII turntable offers true direct drive motor technology, unmatched speed stability, a built-in phono preamp, and a diamond-tipped needle.

Stanton ST. 150 MKII turntable allows for easy music transfer and has heavy-duty aluminum construction (low resonance base 22 pounds/10.2 kilograms), curved tonearm (height fine adjust / anti-skid), and adjustable brake speed makes the Stanton ST. 150 MKII an excellent record player for heavy use.

The Stanton ST. 150 MKII Turntable features an adjustable brake speed system, selectable pitch control [8, 25 & 50% range], and Quartz Lock for accurate playback regardless of vinyl condition. 

There are three speeds option, a Slip mat with 45 adapters, a right-angled cable, and Deckadance DVS Software (full version). Besides its 332mm die-cast aluminum platter, the Stanton ST. 150 MKII has pitch controls with a range of +/-8%, +/-25%, +/-50%, and Wow & Flutter that does not exceed 0.1% WRMS (JIS WTD).

The Stanton ST. 150 MKII Turntable for DJs is easy to use, smooth, and has a built-in tonearm and cartridge for easy music file transfer from your computer. Stanton ST. 150 MKII piano-like tone and anti-feedback technology make it suitable for use almost anywhere, eliminating unwanted feedback from music.

Stanton ST. 150 MKII: The Best Turntable For Beginners

• Durable and long-lasting finish
• Flat-mounted belt drive motors (speed, accuracy, and efficiency)
• Tonearm made of carbon fiber (lightweight)
• Stanton’s ACME precision bearings
• Silky-smooth 33 1/3 RPM platter made of silver-anodized aluminum
• Four-inch thick aluminum alloy plate and dust cover provide low resonance.
• Accurate speed regulation with a high torque motor controller
• Plays 33 1/3 RPM records with an onboard 45 RPM adapter 
• Adjustable pitch control at ±10% 
• Starts and stops automatically (auto-stops when the power goes out)

Do you want budget friendly cartridge?

Denon DJ VL12 Prime Turntable

Denon VL12 Prime Turntable features high torque capacity and reduced vibration. This entry-level turntable has quartz direct-drive motors with starting torques of up to 5 kg/cm and begins in just 0.4 seconds and also has an electronic brake system.

Featuring aluminum die-casting of 1" / 332 mm and weighing 9 lbs. / 2.2 g, the Denon VL12 Prime turntable Tonearm has an Effective Length of 4" / 238 mm and an Overhang of 5°.

The Denon VL12 Prime Turntable has a Phono-level that you can use via stereo RCA cables and is an excellent turntable for home DJs. It also has a cue function, which allows you to cue up a song without using the controls on the front, and a pitch range of +8%, +16%, and +50%.

Denon VL12 Prime Turntable consumes 65 W of power (IEC power connector and 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz input voltage).

Features You Like

• High-torque direct-drive motor 
• Rubber synchronous belts
• Pro Audio/DJ-specific audio quality
• Scratch control for scratching and backspin functions
• Start/stop function for DJ start and mix of records
• Hard drive less motor
• Slip mat included

Read: Where to connect remote wire for amp

Sony PSHX500 Hi-Res USB Turntable

Featuring an S-shaped profile arm for stabilization and a high-torque DC motor, the Sony PSHX500 Turntable produces true analogue sound. Sony PSHX500 offers superior audio quality and has an integrated preamplifier, 1/4" jack, and RCA outputs.

Sony PSHX500 Turntable has an enhanced tonearm design (lightweight structure )with a shell that enhances durability and stabilizes the cartridge with an integrated shell.

The Sony PSHX500 turntables can handle high-end audio and come with built-in phono EQ, either an integrated amplifier or an external phono equalizer, and offers Hi-Res audio up to DSD quality, making listening to your favorite music like never before.

The Sony PSHX500 also has a USB port for downloading files directly from your computer, and you can mix up your favorite vinyl tracks with coming software so you can edit your tracks on your computer or Mac.

The Sony PSHX500 Turntable provides stability in motion (as its rotation is extremely stable) for natural music delivery, and its highly stable belt drive system produces a natural sound. In addition to the aluminum diecast platter (high-inertia aluminum) that offers the best balance between strength and mass, the Sony PSHX500 turntable is equipped with a 0.20-inch rubber mat to reduce resonating.

The Sony PSHX500 turntable has a 1.18-inch thick MDF cabinet and a fully insulated structure to eliminate rack vibrations, ensuring maximum soundstage reproduction, and rubber dampers are also included to reduce rack vibrations. A Glass epoxy circuit board on the Sony PSHX500 turntable ensures better sound quality when listening to your favorite music. Combined with its excellent sound quality and affordable digital/analogue hybrid technology, the Sony PSHX500 turntable is ideal for anyone looking for the best sound.

Read: How to connect speakers to laptop withoAlso check bookshelf speakers for Vinyl record player

Music Hall MMF-5.3 2 Turntable

The included items with Music Hall MMF-5.3 2-Turntable are a power supply, an AC plug, an aluminum diecast chassis, and a dust cover. The Music Hall MMF-5.3 is the ideal turntable for audiophiles and features MMF preamps, preinstalled cartridge, an anti-skating control, an adjustable speed control, and a tonearm and counterweight that are removable for easy record cleaning.

With a simple design based on classic aesthetics and a no-frills design, the Music Hall MMF-5.3 turntable is an affordable, no-frills turntable that everyone can afford to get into vinyl.

A modern engineering marvel, the Music Hall MMF-5.3 turntable features a lightweight aluminum case and a 3-inch thick acrylic platter.

Yamaha MusicCast VINYL 500 WiFi Turntable

This Yamaha MusicCast VINYL 500 turntable is an absolute must-have for vinyl enthusiasts, not only because it delivers incredible sound quality but also because it’s straightforward to use and even suitable for first-time vinyl listeners.

You can enjoy your music from any device with the Yamaha MusicCast VINYL 500, which has built-in Wi-Fi support and streaming capabilities, allowing you to listen to vinyl records with excellent sound quality. With a Yamaha MusicCast VINYL 500, you can adjust the speed automatically to match the speed of the record you’re playing, and it has a USB port for playing digital music.

Yamaha MusicCast VINYL 500, you can immediately listen to your favorite records, thanks to the preinstalled vinyl cartridge and stylus. The Yamaha MusicCast VINYL 500 turntable allows you to stream music directly from your computer or other streaming devices, so you can enjoy your music without being connected to the Internet.

In that case, the Yamaha MusicCast VINYL 500 turntable is worth checking out and getting its built-in amplifier and 3D sound technology so you can enjoy your music to the fullest. So overall the MusicCast VINYL 500 is the best turntable under $1000.

Pro-Ject Audio Debut Carbon DC Espri Belt-Drive Turntable

A flagship turntable from Pro-Ject Audio, the Carbon DC Espri features D.C. motors and aluminum platters; lightweight, strong, and rigid, and feels weightless while using its D.C. motor, which has a ceramic bearing and carbon fiber sleeve and feels weightless with its D.C. motor. Conical bearings offer 3.5 times more continuous output than standard spindle bearings. You can adjust the speed levels with an electronic switch attached to the speed box (33-13/45 R.P.M.).

The Pro-Ject Audio turntable features an S-shaped tonearm lift and a lever (unpivot tonearm) with 2.5 grams of linear tracking force,anti-skating control, an anti-skating tonearm, and a speed change counter (33-1/3, 45, 78), this turntable plays vinyl records accurately and is ideal for D.J.s and vinyl collectors alike.

The Pro-Ject Audio turntable uses an Ortofon 2M Red premium cartridge, a carbon fiber platter (a 12" acrylic platter that increases speed stability and reduces resonance) is equipped with a natural tone reproduction, exceptionally low wow and flutter, and a natural tone reproduction.

The Pro-Ject Audio turntable features a high-gloss finish, four rubber feet (absorb shock), integrated phono, and two gold-plated R.C.A. audio jacks for a better experience.