GREAT Turntables 2023 – Best Record Player for Beginners

Figured it’s better late than never to discuss our great turntables 2023 guide, specifically the best record player for beginners. It’s overwhelming to figure out where to begin with record players nowadays, and we all know how awful all-in-one suitcase turntables are.
Getting the correct setup isn’t as costly as you might think. There are plenty of somewhat affordable options online, giving you the chance to listen to vinyl from the start properly. Listening to vinyl records is a multi-sensory experience that combines sound, visual art, and tactile sensations, which you’ll get to experience!
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Best Turntable for Beginners - Great Turntables 2023

A record player can offer a unique listening experience that many people find enjoyable, with a warm and natural sound quality, large album artwork and liner notes, and the collectible aspect of building a record collection.
It can also be a nostalgic reminder of a physical and tangible format many people grew up with. Nevertheless, let’s take a look at the best turntable for beginners and our great turntables 2023 guide!
The Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-GM is a great entry-level turntable with good sound quality, ease of use, and a stylish design. It’s fully automatic, lifting and returning the tonearm at the end of the record, making it easy to use for beginners.
The turntable has a built-in phono preamp, which allows you to connect it to various audio equipment, including powered speakers, receivers, and amplifiers.
It also features high-quality components, including an aluminum platter, a replaceable diamond stylus, and a low-resonance housing, which help to reduce unwanted vibrations and noise.
Unfortunately, the turntable doesn’t have a user-replaceable cartridge or adjustable counterweight, which limits its upgradability and customization options. The tonearm is also made of plastic, which can be prone to bending or breaking if not handled carefully.
The turntable offers good sound quality, with clear and accurate sound reproduction that serves your vinyl collection. Lastly, it has a sleek, stylish design with a gunmetal finish that looks great in any room.
Pros
Fully automatic operation
Built-in phono preamp
High-quality components
Good sound quality
Stylish design
Cons
Limited upgradability
Plastic tonearm
Verdict
Overall, the Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-GM is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and easy-to-use entry-level turntable that delivers good sound quality and looks great in any room.
While it may not offer the highest level of upgradability or customization options, it’s a solid choice for anyone looking to get started with vinyl playback.
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK is a high-quality, versatile turntable with excellent sound quality and features for beginners and more experienced vinyl enthusiasts.
The turntable features a direct drive motor, which provides consistent and precise rotation speeds and reduces wow and flutters. It also has an adjustable counterweight and anti-skate mechanism, which allows you to fine-tune the tracking force and minimize distortion and wear on your records.
It includes a built-in phono preamp, allowing you to connect it to various audio equipment without needing a separate preamp. The USB output works great, which allows you to digitize your vinyl collection and transfer it to your computer for playback or archiving.
The turntable isn’t fully automatic, so you’ll need to manually lift and return the tonearm at the end of the record. It has a +/- 8% or +/- 16% pitch control, which allows you to adjust the record’s speed to match your preference or mix with other audio sources.
Regardless, the turntable features high-quality components, including an aluminum platter, a replaceable stylus, and a low-resonance base, which help to reduce unwanted vibrations and noise.
Pros
Direct drive motor
Adjustable counterweight and anti-skate
Built-in phono preamp
USB connectivity
High-quality components
Adjustable pitch control
Cons
No automatic operation
Verdict
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK is an excellent turntable offering a range of features and high-quality components for beginners and experienced vinyl enthusiasts.
Its direct drive motor, adjustable counterweight, anti-skate, and USB connectivity make it a versatile and reliable choice for anyone looking to enjoy their vinyl collection or digitize it for archiving or playback.
The Crosley C62B-WA is a stylish, affordable turntable with good sound quality and features for beginners and casual listeners. The turntable has a retro-inspired design, with a walnut finish and silver accents, that looks great in any room.
One of the critical features of the Crosley C62B-WA is its built-in Bluetooth connectivity, which allows you to stream music from your phone, tablet, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices. The turntable also has a built-in phono preamp, which allows you to connect it to various audio equipment, including powered speakers, receivers, and amplifiers.
The turntable has a belt-drive system and a durable aluminum tonearm, which help to reduce unwanted vibrations and noise and ensure accurate and stable playback. The turntable also includes a replaceable diamond stylus, which helps preserve your records’ life and ensure consistent playback quality.
One downside of the Crosley C62B-WA is that it does not offer a high level of upgradability or customization options. The turntable doesn’t have a user-replaceable cartridge or adjustable counterweight, which limits its ability to accommodate different types of records or fine-tune the tracking force.
Pros
Affordable
Easy to use
Stylish design
Bluetooth connectivity
Cons
No tonearm cue lever
Lack of advanced features
Verdict
The Crosley C62B-WA is a good choice for anyone looking for an affordable and stylish turntable with good sound quality and a range of casual listening or streaming features.
While it may not offer the highest level of customization or upgradability, it’s a solid choice for anyone looking to enjoy their vinyl collection without breaking the bank.
The LP&No.1 Wireless Playback Vintage Turntable with Hi-Fi System Stereo Bookshelf Speakers is a stylish and functional all-in-one turntable system that offers a range of features for both casual and severe vinyl enthusiasts. The turntable has a retro-inspired design with a wooden finish and a dust cover, which looks great in any room.
One of the critical features of the LP&No.1 turntable is its wireless playback capability, which allows you to stream music from your phone, tablet, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
The turntable also has a built-in phono preamp, which allows you to connect it to various audio equipment, including powered speakers, receivers, and amplifiers.
The turntable features a belt-drive system and a high-quality aluminum tonearm, which help to reduce unwanted vibrations and noise and ensure accurate and stable playback. The turntable also includes a replaceable diamond stylus, which helps preserve your records’ life and ensure consistent playback quality.
In addition to the turntable, the LP&No.1 system comes with a pair of Hi-Fi bookshelf speakers, which offer a powerful and clear sound that is perfect for listening to music at home.
The speakers have a wooden finish and a classic design, which compliments the turntable and adds a touch of vintage charm to any room.
Pros
Comes with speakers
Wireless playback
Vintage-inspired design
Easy to use
Cons
No USB output
Limited upgrade options
Verdict
The LP&No.1 Wireless Playback Vintage Turntable with Hi-Fi System Stereo Bookshelf Speakers is a good choice for anyone looking for an all-in-one turntable system that offers wireless playback, high-quality components, and powerful speakers for home listening. While it may not offer the highest level of upgradability, it’s a stylish and functional choice for severe and casual vinyl enthusiasts.
The Sony PS-LX310BT is a modern turntable offering a range of features for casual and severe vinyl enthusiasts. The turntable has a sleek and minimalist design, with a black finish and a dust cover, that looks great in any room.
One of the critical features of the Sony PS-LX310BT is its wireless playback capability, which allows you to stream music from your phone, tablet, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices. The turntable also has a built-in phono preamp, which allows you to connect it to various audio equipment, including powered speakers, receivers, and amplifiers.
The turntable features a belt-drive system and a high-quality aluminum tonearm, which help to reduce unwanted vibrations and noise and ensure accurate and stable playback. The turntable also includes a replaceable diamond stylus, which helps preserve your records’ life and ensure consistent playback quality.
In addition to its wireless playback capability, the Sony PS-LX310BT also features a USB output, which allows you to quickly digitize your vinyl collection and transfer it to your computer or other digital devices. The turntable also includes a range of playback controls, including pitch and tone control, which allow you to fine-tune the playback of your records.
Pros
Wireless playback
USB output
Built-in phono preamp
Sleek design
Stable playback
Playback controls
Cons
No automatic stop function
Limited upgradability
Verdict
The Sony PS-LX310BT is a good choice for anyone looking for a modern turntable with wireless playback, USB output, and a range of playback controls for fine-tuning sound. It’s a sleek and functional choice for severe and casual vinyl enthusiasts.
Great Turntables 2023 FAQ

How much should I spend on my first record player?
The amount you should spend on your first record player depends on your budget and your expectations. You can find cheap record players for as little as $50, but these don’t have the features or sound quality that you should desire.
If you’re looking for a more robust and feature-rich first-time experience, invest in a record player that costs $200 to $500. This price range will offer better sound quality, customization options, and durability.
Ultimately, you should consider your budget, the features you want in a record player, and how often you plan to use it when deciding how much to spend. Remember that a quality record player is an investment that can last for years if taken care of properly.
How do I get started with a record player?
Getting started with a record player is straightforward. Here are the steps you can follow:
1. Choose a Record Player and Speakers etc.
First, choose a record player that fits your needs and budget. Look for a player with good sound quality, a sturdy build, and your desired features, such as Bluetooth connectivity or USB output.
2. Gather Your Records
Once you have your record player, you must gather your records. You can start by checking out your local record stores or thrift stores for used records. You can also buy new records online or in music stores.
3. Set Up Your Record Player
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to set up your record player. You’ll need to connect the turntable to a power source, plug in the speakers, and adjust the tonearm and stylus. Read the instructions carefully to avoid damaging your records or the player.
4. Clean Your Records
Before playing your records, clean them using a record-cleaning kit. This will help remove any dirt, dust, or debris damaging the stylus or affecting the sound quality.
5. Play Your Records
Once your record player is set up and your records are clean, you’re ready to start playing music. Place the record on the turntable, lower the tonearm, and turn on the player. Adjust the volume and tone controls to your liking, and enjoy the music!
Remember to handle your records carefully and store them properly to ensure they last a long time.
What to avoid when buying a record player?
When buying a record player, there are some things you should avoid to ensure that you get a quality player that will last for years and provide a great listening experience. Here are some things to avoid:
Cheap, Low-Quality Options – While going for a cheap record player may be tempting, these models often have poor sound quality, subpar build quality, and lack essential features. They can also damage your records and wear out quickly, costing you more in the long run.
All-in-One Units – All-in-one units that include a turntable, speakers, and amplifier in one package may be convenient, but they often sacrifice quality for convenience. The speakers are typically low-quality, and the turntable may not be appropriately isolated from the speakers’ vibrations, resulting in poor sound quality and potential damage to your records.
Players with a Plastic Platter – Avoid record players with a plastic platter, as they generate more noise and vibration than those with a metal platter. This can affect the sound quality and damage your records over time.
Models without Adjustable Tonearm and Counterweight – A tonearm with an adjustable counterweight is essential to ensure that the stylus is appropriately balanced, which can affect the sound quality and prevent unnecessary wear on your records. Look for models that allow you to adjust the tonearm and counterweight.
Players with a Ceramic Cartridge – A ceramic cartridge can damage your records, exerting more pressure on the grooves than a magnetic cartridge. Look for a record player with a magnetic cartridge instead.
Noisy or Unreliable Belt Drives – Look for a record player with a belt drive that operates quietly and smoothly. Avoid models with belt drives prone to slipping, which can affect the sound quality and quickly wear out the belt.
By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can find a quality record player that will provide an excellent listening experience and protect your precious vinyl collection.
Do cheap record players damage records?
Cheap record players can potentially damage records over time. They may apply too much tracking force to the record, which can cause excessive wear on the grooves and lead to permanent damage. Other issues may occur from the stylus, vibration, high wow, and flutter.
It’s important to note that not all cheap record players are created equal, and some budget models can provide decent sound quality without damaging your records. However, suppose you’re serious about your vinyl collection and want to ensure the longevity of your records. In that case, it’s worth investing in a higher-quality record player that will provide better sound quality and protect your records from damage.
Great Turntables 2023 - Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our great turntables 2023 guide. Knowing the best record player for beginners may seem daunting, but once you figure it out, it’s much easier than you’ll realize.
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