Table of Contents
Introduction
One of the signs of real audiophiles is their admiration of the quality and the aesthetics of the sound coming from a record. It might sound classical, but today vinyl has become something even more popular than it had ever been.
From the number of music artists around the world who are releasing the vinyl version of their piece, it is, on the whole, correct to state that vinyl is going to remain a trendy thing for a considerably longer span than we may have suspected. Be that as it may, there is no use to simply respect it and its quality except if you own newer turntable models for playing your preferred music. But for those of you who are new to this trend or who are looking for a decent vinyl turntable within a budget of 300$ or even less, it might be a difficult task to look for the one you want.
It can be hard to find the difference between some models of different price ranges and to select something most appropriate according to your need. But worry not, we have got your back. Let’s see the reasons why you may or may not consider buying a turntable worth less than $300 with your money. We have eased the task of researching and have list down something in this article – some of the world class turn tables within an affordable price point of under $300.
Are $300 Turntables Worth It?
With the increasing trend of vinyl, the market of the turntable has increased tremendously providing people with a wide range of options to choose from. But this can often get overwhelming since you might get lost in the ocean of choices and cannot decide which one to buy for yourself. If you are an old audiophile and already own a classical budget turntable within the price range say $100, this might be the time to upgrade your listening experience with more advanced vinyl record players of mid-range price point.
The reasons why these mid-range players are worth your money are many. One of the reasons why you might consider buying a $300 turntable as compared to a more budget turntable alternatives is that it is generally made up of durable material. This means that it will last longer with such a good build quality as compared to those with a subpar build quality. On the other hand, giving preference to these mid-range priced turntables over their expensive yet advanced alternatives is a good thing to do for those who are beginners or who are casual listeners of music and do not need a lot of extra functionalities.
The Main Difference Between Higher-end Models
Generally, you could state that a $300 player is about right. This is actually the “sweet spot” for most turntables. These will not bring all the cool and fancy features we can find in more expensive turntables, yet you will find that some features like auto start, anti skate, and height adjustment functionalities. Normally, we must be practical and comprehend that every turntable is distinctive in different manners.
There is an explanation to everything as to why some top of the line turntables cost as much as they do. As we move towards more advanced turntables in the market, the quality of sound improves. This is because of their weight which causes them to produce the least amount of vibrations and hence noise is reduced to the minimum level.
Another reason is that the platter material varies with the cost. Whereas a medium-ranged turntable has a steel or aluminum platter, high-end turntables have a platter made up of advanced and premium grade composite materials. The reason of choosing such an advanced material for manufacturing is the clean, distortion-free sound because of extra shock-absorbance offered. Moreover, the more advanced is your turntable, we are simply trying to state that a $300 turntable will get you the best value for the money overall. You can generally go higher and better, yet the rise in cost and performance will not be directly related from this moment on.
The 5 Best Turntable Under $300
No matter how long one has been admiring music, a good turntable is what you would want to invest in, to listen to the sounds in a classical manner with the best quality. We have chosen the best turntables under 300 for you to choose from so that you may listen to your favorite music with high-quality sound according to your needs.
Crosley C10A Turntable – Best Vintage Turntable Under 300
Looking for a turntable that offers a vibration-free smooth music quality? Consider this model from Crosley. With a belt drive design, it features a cable that is built-in that you can connect with your preamplifier. This belt driven turntable offers a dual-speed layout with the record playing speed in the range of 33-45 rpm.
The Crosley C10A offers an adjustable tonearm providing a decent amount of balance. These qualities make it stand among the top-quality entry-level turntables. Based on the cost and the advantages offered, the Crosley C10A is an ideal selection for individuals starting to get into record playing. Here are some of its unique features that you might like:
Features
- A motor that is synchronous and produces low-vibrations as well as the shock-absorbent feet gives Crosley the ability to produce a smooth ride for music.
- The tonearm is made up of aluminum and is adjustable providing the perfect amount of balance.
- Being a belt drive turntable, the vibrations produced by the motor are minimized with the aid of the platter and instead of being released free to be heard, the needle picks them up.
- Has excellent durability and a vintage-looking body
- Play speed range of 33-45 rpm
- The Aluminum platter further reduces any extra vibration produced.
- Anti skate adjustment feature
- Shock-resistant feet at the bottom of a plinth made up of audio grade composite material and a wooden encapsulation provide further reduction of noise enhancing the quality of sound produced.
Let us have a look at its pros and cons to see if this is the right choice for you.
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing look
- Adjustable aluminum tone arm
- Adjustable pitch control
- Smooth sound without fluttering
- Dual play speed – 33 1/3 and 45 RPM
- USB output
- Comes with dust cover
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Less amount of automation than high-end turntables
- The belt might need to be repaired or changed once damaged
- Initial set-up is tricky
Verdict
The Crosley C10A highlights the highest vibration control, optimized audio quality, an appealing look, and longevity. One of the best options while considering medium priced turntables.
Music Hall MMF-1.3
Getting back towards vinyl? Or just getting started with it? There is a challenge in the selection of turntables. We offer you a good choice that you might like to consider. Today, some device incorporate a built in phono preamp. In any case, if your turntable does not, the Music Hall MMF-1.3 can be of help since it has two options, from which you select by a switch on the back. The “Phono” mode is for those uncommon data sources while the “Line” mode runs the sign through a built in phono preamp thus can be utilized with any sound framework with standard simple info, including dynamic amplifiers.
Considering the price, this turntable by Music Hall is an ideal choice for individuals starting to get into vinyl. Here is the summary of features offered by the Music Hall MMF-1.3:
Features
- A built-in switchable phono preamp
- The Aluminum platter reduces any extra vibration produced
- Has a decent length of its tone arm with a magnet cartridge
- Vibration-reducing rubber mat
- 11 lb. weight
Whether it is the right turntable for you or not, consider its pros and cons.
Pros
- Can be directly plugged into powered stereo-speakers
- Aesthetically pleasing look
- Adjustable aluminum tone arm
- Smooth sound without fluttering
- Good quality DC motor
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Manually operated only
- A heavy cartridge track force (3 grams)
- No pitch control
Verdict
The Music Hall MMF-1.3 is an eye-satisfying dark and silver framed turntable incorporating a built in phono preamp for simple arrangement choices is a remarkable choice among the medium-range turntables.
Audio-Technica AT-LP60 – Best Turntable Under 250
If you are in search of a turntable that is cheap, fully automatic, belt-driven, and gives the perfect sound just the way a piece of music is intended to be played, the Audio Technica AT-LP60 might be a good option to consider. The Audio-Technica’s AT-LP60 is a well featured belt driven turntable that comes with a built in phono preamp, a pre-mounted phono-cartridge, and a metal platter.
Based on the price and ease of use, the Audio Technica AT-LP60 is perfect for people simply beginning to get into vinyl.
Features
- A tiny switch is present on the backboard that lets you select either the certain phono preamplifier or a more prominent, outside preamplifier you can incorporate later
- Being a belt drive turntable, the vibrations produced by the motor are minimized with the aid of the platter and instead of being released free to be heard, the needle picks them up
- Has excellent durability and a vintage-looking body
- Low friction for smooth play and less sound
- Lighter weight
- USB output
The below mentioned are some pros and cons of this vinyl record player which can help you further in making a choice.
Pros
- Audio-Technica AT-LP60 turntable highlights a pre-installed phono preamp
- It plays 7-and 12-inch vinyl records accurately
- Has a replaceable stylus, and fully automatic.
- Comes with dust cover
- Belt drive turntable
- Low price
Cons
- Not fitting for DJ use where brisk start and back-flagging is required.
- The belt might need to be repaired or changed once damaged
Verdict
With its noteworthy features, ease of use, and unparalleled value, the Audio-Technica AT-LP60 is the perfect turntable if you are hoping to get into vinyl. The Audio Technica AT-LP60 turntable is worth the price and a good start for beginner audiophiles.
Audio-Technica AT-LP3 Turntable – Best Automatic Turntable Under 300
There are not a lot of turntables that come packed with a combination of features such as automation and low cost, but the Audio Technica AT-LP3 turntable might be a perfect device if these are your required features. The trend may be going hard and fast, yet the Audio Technica AT-LP3 turntable is not a new player in the game. The Audio Technica’s AT-LP3 is a feature-rich turntable that accompanies a certain phono preamplifier, a pre-mounted phono-cartridge, and a metal platter, it can also play at 2 speeds: 33-1/3 and 45 RPM.
Based on the its cost and features, the Audio Technica AT-LP3 is ideal for individuals starting to get into vinyl. Here are the features offered by Audio TechnicaAT-LP3.
Features
- It is a fully automatic turntable, which implies a basic catch punch will restore the tone arm to its beginning position.
- A tiny switch is present on the backboard that lets you select either the certain phono preamplifier or a more prominent, third party preamplifier you can incorporate later.
- Being a belt drive turntable, the vibrations produced by the motor are minimized with the aid of the platter
- It features a dual layered chassis
- Has excellent durability and a vintage-looking body
- Speed sensor system and lift control feature
- Dual play speed – 33-1/3 and 45 RPM
List below are some pros and cons of the Audio-Technica
Pros
- Automatic function
- Dual play speed – 33-1/3 and 45 RPM
- Ease of use
- In-built phono amplifier
- Low cost
Cons
- The tonearm is not present
- Lower quality sound system than other alternatives
Verdict
Despite the quality issues of sound, the Audio Technica AT-LP3 Turntable gives an abundance of highlights and, in sub-spending terms, is assembled genuinely well.
Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK – Best Turntable Under 300
Audio Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK is a well-known, premium direct drive turntable that plays your favorite records and can boost your record. The Audio Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK is a lightweight turntable with cutting edge features. All black, refined metal is subject to expert testing, which has resistance to deformation. The AT-LP120 turntable is provided with a custom-made S type tonearm, which has a different look compared to the traditional custom tonearm.
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK is a rare and easy to use. Intended for those who appreciate top-notch music with vinyl records, the AT LP120 model is a superb option and produces great sound quality and superb user experience.
Features
- Direct drive
- An aesthetically appealing look.
- Automatic and electronically driven
- A compact and light-weight structure
- Decent build quality
- Less friction and smoother record playing
- Digital connectivity thru USB port and can play MP3 files
Below mentioned are some pros and cons of which can help you further in making a choice.
Pros
- Is easy to set up and use
- Provides the option to connect USB port
- A direct drive turntable
- Low cost and good sound quality
Cons
- The structure is made up of plastic hence less durable
- Less automation added than other high-end alternatives
Verdict
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK is a cutting-edge turntable with extraordinary customization options like converting music records into a digital file
What to Look for When Choosing a Turntable Under $300?
Before choosing a turntable, you must consider your intended use. Beginners might prefer low- or medium-priced machines and will find most of their desired qualities within the range. However, for more professional audiophiles, it will be a better option to invest some more and buy high-end record players because of the previously mentioned reasons and advantages that come only with more expensive record players. There are many different turntables and record players to choose from so a lot is needed to be considered when trying to choose the right one. So, which record player is right for you? Here we list some things to consider:
Weight
The main difference between a high-end and a mediocre or low-end turntable is its weight. The reason is that the turntable with heavier weight avoids the transfer of vibrations from the motor towards tonearm. In the end, it determines the quality of the sound and the amount of noise produced. So, when you are choosing among turntables, consider choosing the one with a decent weight and a strong and durable body even when you are spending less than $300.
Motor and Plate Connection
How your turntable motor is associated with the plate tells you the kind of drive, which is either direct, or belt drive. A DJ turntable is commonly direct drive. If you are not a DJ, it is better to have belt drive.
Automation
This area reveals to you the measure of exertion you should add to your turntable as it starts and wraps up the record.
Manual: With the assistance of changing the manual, you raise the tonearm and see the needle in the guide box and lift it at the end. A computer supported instrument can create sound, so physical work is at a suitable level for individuals who care more about sound quality than sitting.
Semi-automatic: You take things out by making a soundtrack. At where a record is made, the turntable reestablishes the tone arms and shuts the motor. You do not have to underscore thumping the pointer around to end the score while you are in your task elbows.
Automatic: With a completely customized turntable, you press the hold and go. The symbol replaces and tenderly pushes the needle at the most distant finish of the record. Right when the last music is done, the tonearm lifts itself, comes back to its resting state, and stop the motor
Recommendation
We have tried to describe some of the main players in the game of record playing for you ranging from manual to fully automatic turntables for the use of professional as well as beginner audiophiles. However, if you still want to narrow your choice then we have selected a turntable that might fulfill most of the qualities required by a good record player.
If you are looking for a record player that has a good playing mechanism, you don’t want a completely manual system but still want the one within a reasonable price range, then we recommend you consider Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK. With its robust design, and well rounded features including digital connectivity thru USB connection option, this turntable is a smart choice for the audiophiles at a very reasonable price. The turntable is among best turntables under $300, ensuring a long-lasting smooth record playing.
Conclusion
A $300 turntable is the safest choice. Models found in this article will offer a noteworthy features as compared to less expensive turntables. The models we have stated above are by a long shot the absolute best you can get for this price range.
We gave a valiant effort to list down the product, review and pick just best turntables under 300 that have demonstrated their value. For one thing, these will get you the listening experience you merit. We have selected our topmost favorite turntables for you to choose from. Each one in our list is inexpensive compared to the many other counterpart model and has great features to offer.
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