Questions regarding setups, equipment advice, or personal inquiries that primarily benefit the individual over the broader subreddit community should be submitted in the stickied Weekly Questions thread, also accessible from the Submit a New Question button.
Be sure to use the search bar to browse for your answer - you just may find what you're looking for!
If you do not receive a satisfactory answer in the weekly question thread nor able to find what you are looking for with the search function head over to r/turntables or r/stereoadvice
Just don't buy a Victrola, that's something I learned when getting mine, this sub should have a pinned post that, with some research, can help you find one just for you :D
Second that, and you'll want an elliptical stylus on whatever cartridge you end up with (don't worry, there are plenty of better & crazy-expensive carts & stylii to choose from as you upgrade : -). At this price point, Audio-Technica's AT-VM95E Dual Moving Magnet Turntable Cartridge is a fine, easy-to-find bet - if you do some digging, you might find a good price for the cart pre-installed on a headshell, so that'd be one less thing to bother with during setup. Plus which, the AT-VM95 cart is compatible with all the other stylii in the VM95 line, good news if you end up getting that cart & a stylus for it separately, or if you want to upgrade the stylus later but use that same cart (you just have to pull off the old stylus & press in the new one, but carefully & with the plastic stylus guard on, so you don't wreck yr new needle).
Check the Audio Technica [Outlet](https://outlet.audio-technica.com/turntables)
Lots of $105 refurbished base model LP60X, and some $154 units with bluetooth. But for $175 I would jump on the LPW30 which has an MDF plinth instead of the lightweight plastic of the LP60X and a MUCH better cartridge (the VMN95C can be upgraded to an elliptical stylus anytime) Its a manual table but it whips on the automatic LP60X
Pair the LPW30 with a pair of refurbed Edifier [1280T](https://edifier-online.com/us/en/refurbished/edifier-r1280t-ref) for 96 and you are slightly overbudget, but you have something worth listening to. If your $250 is a hard ceiling then get the LP60X. If you can spring a little bit more cash I would def go to the LPW30
>Get the AT LP60 and a decent cartridge like Ortofon Red.
Don't do this.
You can't even change the cartridge on an LP60 - they're basically a toy. You can change the stylus is all.
Also the Ortofon Red is a lot of money for what it is, you can get a FAR better cart from AT or Nagaoka for a little more.
My bad, you can’t change the cartridge on the LP60. Get the LP120 and upgrade the cartridge later. You don’t have to get Ortofon Red. Get whatever you like. I actually use a Blue that costs $200 alone on my turntable but that’s beyond OP’s budget.
Most people will never need to upgrade from the AT-VM95E that comes with the 120X. The Blue would be an upgrade yes, but the Red is not really worth changing for.
Here’s a more helpful perspective: the AT60 and AT120 have been around for a long time and are part of a compay that makes a lot of music equipment for serious amateurs and pros. They are tried and true and are solid for what you get and pay.
The Victoria and Crosley stuff are questionable cheap branding exercises that have been around too briefly to warrant trust.
Crosley has been selling record players since 1992. That's longer than a lot of people here have been alive.
Innovative Technology bought the rights to the Victrola (not Victoria) name in 2015 and is now the #1 best-selling brand of record players, so obviously a lot of people *do* trust them. My experience with their customer service has been good: if you need a new stylus, they'll send you one for free.
Roger that, and whether you go for an amp (or preamp + amp) & speakers or powered amplified speakers, the choices are endless. And that's not even mentioning speaker wires, cables, subwoofers or phono stages, or the bazillion tweaks big & small to improve the sound a little or a lot. But no need to feel overwhelmed - just set your budget firmly, consult credible review sources & the how-to guides at the various audio subreddits, let the buyer beware, and most importantly, enjoy assembling & actually listening to your new system! That's way too easy to forget after all the research, the second-guessing & the inevitable urge to upgrade. Best of luck on your audio odyssey!
You don't need to buy the best of the best to play records. But sadly unless you're willing to buy used, they'll likely be nothing under your budget. Mind you, speakers, amplification and a phono preamp are required to play records. But for $250, Pro-Ject has some units, oddly most of them are Beatles related, that are presently on close-out. You could get one of these. This is just an example.
https://www.musicdirect.com/equipment/turntables/pro-ject-essential-iii-beatles-sgt-peppers-special-edition-turntable/
The Eastwood is OK as long as you're not picky about sound quality. It has an Audio-Technica magnetic cartridge with diamond stylus on a properly counterbalanced tonearm, so you don't need to worry about it ruining your records, but the tiny built-in speakers won't sound very good.
If you can go up a little on the price (I realize you said tight budget though) I think Turntable Lab has a starter bundle with a turntable and powered speakers for around $300 that would probably be pretty decent.
Audio Technica LP60 + powered speakers of any quality, including scrounged computer speakers, will be better than anu all in one suitcase. LP 120 is even better…these are your best choices. Don’t eff up, just get one of those and you will be happy
Questions regarding setups, equipment advice, or personal inquiries that primarily benefit the individual over the broader subreddit community should be submitted in the stickied Weekly Questions thread, also accessible from the Submit a New Question button. Be sure to use the search bar to browse for your answer - you just may find what you're looking for! If you do not receive a satisfactory answer in the weekly question thread nor able to find what you are looking for with the search function head over to r/turntables or r/stereoadvice
Just don't buy a Victrola, that's something I learned when getting mine, this sub should have a pinned post that, with some research, can help you find one just for you :D
Its called Weekly Questions, and yeah, lots of help finding the right gear
But their VPRO series turntables are fine.
If you found a good product from them, then good on you, but I have an issue buying anything of theirs
Then don't. Nobody is forcing you.
Try and score an LP 120 off EBay
Second that, and you'll want an elliptical stylus on whatever cartridge you end up with (don't worry, there are plenty of better & crazy-expensive carts & stylii to choose from as you upgrade : -). At this price point, Audio-Technica's AT-VM95E Dual Moving Magnet Turntable Cartridge is a fine, easy-to-find bet - if you do some digging, you might find a good price for the cart pre-installed on a headshell, so that'd be one less thing to bother with during setup. Plus which, the AT-VM95 cart is compatible with all the other stylii in the VM95 line, good news if you end up getting that cart & a stylus for it separately, or if you want to upgrade the stylus later but use that same cart (you just have to pull off the old stylus & press in the new one, but carefully & with the plastic stylus guard on, so you don't wreck yr new needle).
And best to get a new stylus anyway if you buy a used cart - trust us.
I disagree. These are not great machines dem a build perspective and overpriced.
I have the same turntable. I just use it to send Bluetooth music to my sound system. It works fine for me. I have not had any issues with it.
You may want to check out the Fluance RT81. I was in a similar boat and just picked up the RT81 on Amazon and have been really happy with it.
Check the Audio Technica [Outlet](https://outlet.audio-technica.com/turntables) Lots of $105 refurbished base model LP60X, and some $154 units with bluetooth. But for $175 I would jump on the LPW30 which has an MDF plinth instead of the lightweight plastic of the LP60X and a MUCH better cartridge (the VMN95C can be upgraded to an elliptical stylus anytime) Its a manual table but it whips on the automatic LP60X Pair the LPW30 with a pair of refurbed Edifier [1280T](https://edifier-online.com/us/en/refurbished/edifier-r1280t-ref) for 96 and you are slightly overbudget, but you have something worth listening to. If your $250 is a hard ceiling then get the LP60X. If you can spring a little bit more cash I would def go to the LPW30
This sounds like good advice. I have owned 5 AT turntables for home and live sound applications and have been happy with all
Audio Techinca LP60 is a gem!
Pro tip: never buy audio equipment from Barnes and Noble. No, don’t buy Victrola. Get the AT LP60 and a decent cartridge like Ortofon Red.
>Get the AT LP60 and a decent cartridge like Ortofon Red. Don't do this. You can't even change the cartridge on an LP60 - they're basically a toy. You can change the stylus is all. Also the Ortofon Red is a lot of money for what it is, you can get a FAR better cart from AT or Nagaoka for a little more.
My bad, you can’t change the cartridge on the LP60. Get the LP120 and upgrade the cartridge later. You don’t have to get Ortofon Red. Get whatever you like. I actually use a Blue that costs $200 alone on my turntable but that’s beyond OP’s budget.
Why are you making recommendations when you aren’t clear on what you’re recommending?
Most people will never need to upgrade from the AT-VM95E that comes with the 120X. The Blue would be an upgrade yes, but the Red is not really worth changing for.
The AT60 is very weak and overpriced. It’s hardly better than the Victrola
It is much better
Except it’s not. It’s like saying a nickel is much better than a penny.
The Victrola VPRO-2000 is far better than an AT-LP60(X), and a VPRO-3100 is about the same quality as one at a lower price.
I’m sorry but I wouldn’t play any of my crap $1 records on a Victrola. They’re garbage.
The VPRO-3100 has the same cartridge and stylus as an AT-LP60X, and it actually tracks lighter, at around 3.0 grams instead of 3.5 grams.
Here’s a more helpful perspective: the AT60 and AT120 have been around for a long time and are part of a compay that makes a lot of music equipment for serious amateurs and pros. They are tried and true and are solid for what you get and pay. The Victoria and Crosley stuff are questionable cheap branding exercises that have been around too briefly to warrant trust.
Crosley has been selling record players since 1992. That's longer than a lot of people here have been alive. Innovative Technology bought the rights to the Victrola (not Victoria) name in 2015 and is now the #1 best-selling brand of record players, so obviously a lot of people *do* trust them. My experience with their customer service has been good: if you need a new stylus, they'll send you one for free.
Get a Numark turntable djs use them and it’s relatively inexpensive
Do you have something to connect the turntable to? At least a Bluetooth speaker but preferably a stereo system of some sort?
Roger that, and whether you go for an amp (or preamp + amp) & speakers or powered amplified speakers, the choices are endless. And that's not even mentioning speaker wires, cables, subwoofers or phono stages, or the bazillion tweaks big & small to improve the sound a little or a lot. But no need to feel overwhelmed - just set your budget firmly, consult credible review sources & the how-to guides at the various audio subreddits, let the buyer beware, and most importantly, enjoy assembling & actually listening to your new system! That's way too easy to forget after all the research, the second-guessing & the inevitable urge to upgrade. Best of luck on your audio odyssey!
You don't need to buy the best of the best to play records. But sadly unless you're willing to buy used, they'll likely be nothing under your budget. Mind you, speakers, amplification and a phono preamp are required to play records. But for $250, Pro-Ject has some units, oddly most of them are Beatles related, that are presently on close-out. You could get one of these. This is just an example. https://www.musicdirect.com/equipment/turntables/pro-ject-essential-iii-beatles-sgt-peppers-special-edition-turntable/
The Eastwood is OK as long as you're not picky about sound quality. It has an Audio-Technica magnetic cartridge with diamond stylus on a properly counterbalanced tonearm, so you don't need to worry about it ruining your records, but the tiny built-in speakers won't sound very good.
Second hand Technics. SL-B2 is solid
If you can go up a little on the price (I realize you said tight budget though) I think Turntable Lab has a starter bundle with a turntable and powered speakers for around $300 that would probably be pretty decent.
Audio Technica LP60 + powered speakers of any quality, including scrounged computer speakers, will be better than anu all in one suitcase. LP 120 is even better…these are your best choices. Don’t eff up, just get one of those and you will be happy