Welcome to the Best Turntables section from the Part-Time Audiophile Buyers Guide for Summer 2024.
We’re not saying that these are the best turntables or that these choices somehow overrule anyone else’s favorites. We’re saying that these are the products we’ve reviewed, owned, or have had extended experience when it comes to performance and sound quality. This is the gear that we, the staff of Part-Time Audiophile, recommend.
Best Turntables
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO ($599 USD)
Here’s another strong argument for one of the best turntables for less than a grand, though Pro-Ject had the advantage of a tested design and continuous modifications applied over the years. The EVO version sports a new motor suspension, height-adjustable damped aluminum feet, a new steel and TPE-damped platter and a Sumiko Rainier cartridge. “This is a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon turntable taken to a whole new level.”
Rega Planar 3 (starting at $1,125)
The legendary P3 is a sonic powerhouse among reasonably priced turntables. One of the PTA staff just purchased the current production model in red and declares, “It’s fairly easy to setup, it’s one step up from plug and play.” Adjustments are minimal and the tonearm supports many other cartridges with a 3mm shim. “Soundstage is excellent, the table is quiet, and for those who like to tweak there are options for upgrades. The Rega P3 is a great table that spans the gap between entry-level and ultra-high end. Did we mention it comes in red?”
Technics SL-1500C ($1,299.95 USD)
Although priced like an original SL-1200 before it was discontinued in 2004, the SL-1500C is a very different turntable package–the very reasonable price includes arm, an Ortofon 2M Red and a built-in MM phono pre. You won’t find the DJ features such as the pitch control or the strobe, but you’ll find that the 1500 is is one of the finest “record players” (just add powered speakers) you can get. Best of all, the sound quality is closer to the $4000 Technics SL-1200G turntables than the original 1200.
Music Hall Stealth ($1,695 USD with cartridge)
Looking for an excellent, reliable and easy-to-use direct-drive turntable but you don’t have the money for something like the Brinkmann Taurus or even the Technics SL-1200G? Roy Hall’s Stealth turntable is a game changer, providing the kind of performance we’ve always wanted from well-done direct-drive without the cost. The Stealth even comes with an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge already mounted on the arm–although the Stealth’s superb performance will tempt you to mount and align a top-dollar moving coil just to see what will happen–as we did. The Stealth is not only awarded a Reviewers Choice award, but it was also declared the 2023 Best Value of the Year.
Gem Dandy PolyTable Signature (from $3,295 USD)
When fitted with the Sorane TA-1L 12.7″ tonearm and the ZYX Ultimate Airy X, this George Merrill-designed turntable instantly became one of the best turntables we’ve heard under the $10K threshold. “George Merrill knows how to use simple, elegant engineering and knowledge of material sciences to get the little things done, the things that make sonic differences,” we concluded about this American ‘table. Winner of our Best Value Award.
Technics SL-1200G and SL-1210G ($4,200 ea USD)
From a distance, the Technics SL-1200G looks just like the old SL-1200, which was the best-selling turntable in history. When you see the G up close, you start noticing little details—especially in the fit and finish. Once you tear it apart, you’ll discover it’s been completely redesigned. For those of us who never liked the sound of the 1200 or thought of it as only a DJ ‘table, the new generation of Technics 1200 turntables is a shock to the system—while still a direct-drive design, it now sounds fantastic courtesy of the new non-cogging motor and upgraded plinth. We compared the SL-1200G to the lovely black-and-gold Technics SL-1210GAE (now available as the SL-1210G) but found no significant differences, except for the fact that the limited-run 1210 is more collectable.
Vertere Acoustics DG-1S (starting at $4,099 USD)
The Vertere Acoustics DG-1 (Dynamic Groove) is a plug-and-play turntable system that comes complete with arm, DFi cable, and cartridge. It’s one of the rare high-performance turntables that can be up and running in a few minutes after the box is opened. The complexity of the design and build in the DG-1S is second to none in this price category and, most importantly, shares technology with everything Vertere has done upstream.
Audio Note UK TT-Two Deluxe ($4,288 USD)
This classic design still qualified as one of the best turntables available because it’s one of the few analog rigs at this price point that has a distinct personality while still checking off all the “audiophile” boxes. Tested with the Audio Note UK Arm Three and the IQ III MM cartridge, which brought the entire cost close to the five-figure mark, this TT-Two Deluxe is one of the finest ‘tables we’ve heard without moving-coil technology. A Reviewers Choice winner.
Thorens TD-1601 ($4,999 USD)
Have you been waiting for decades for a Thorens turntable that’s as good as classics like the TD-124, TD-125 mk. II and the TD-160? Here it is, the TD-1601, a sprung semi-automatic turntable that will remind you great designs from Linn, Ariston, AR and any other rig that bounces. Based somewhat on the TD-160, the 1601 (and the TD-1600, which offers completely manual operation for less money) achieves rare and lofty performance at this price point–the fact that the price includes a solid Thorens tonearm makes this deal even sweeter. An Editor’s Choice winner.
Pear Audio Blue Kid Howard ($5,499 USD in gloss black with Cornet2 tonearm)
The Pear Audio Blue turntables from Slovenia are inspired by the designs of the late Tom Fletcher of Nottingham Analogue, which means a heavy platter and a low-torque motor that requires you to start and stop everything by hand. (There are no on/off switches.) The Kid Howard can be quirky and unique in its operation, but it’s also a pure music-making machine that delivers sonic miracles unexpected for its reasonable price. A Reviewers Choice award ‘cuz the reviewer bought the review sample, and he still thinks it’s one of the best turntables for the money.
Rega P10 ($6,345 USD)
Most audiophiles are keenly aware of Rega’s top of the line Planar (so we’re not mentioning the rare Naiad or the new Naia yet) with its skeletal lightweight foam plinth and ceramic platter. The P10 offers the sound of the big turntables while being incredibly easy to live with–it’s small, light and easy to set up. “For a lot of folks, this might be as good as it gets.”
Fern & Roby Montrose ($7,500 USD)
Fern & Roby’s Christopher Hildebrand specializes in “heirloom quality” high-end audio, and nowhere is this more evident than with his Montrose turntables. Precision machining and industrial materials guarantee that this analog rig looks and sounds like no one else’s. The sound is balanced and sure-footed, and the build quality is so high that “you can leave this virtually indestructible machine to your children or grandchildren in your will.” A Fern & Roby tonearm is included, but you can upgrade to a Schroder.
Clearaudio Innovation Basic ($8,500 USD w/TRACER Tonearm)
Clearaudio’s patented Ceramic Magnetic Bearing gives the platter a sense that it’s floating on air. Easy to assemble and maintain, the Innovation’s only flaw seems to be the “Basic” designation—we found that this affordable combination, with the Hana ML cartridge, was “anything but basic.” Still a great value and one of the best turntables for under $10K.
Well-Tempered Lab Amadeus 254 GT ($8,750 USD)
This unusual turntable design–does Well-Tempered Lab make any other kind?–seems to rub against some of our firmly held ideas about analog. And yet the proof is in the listening, since the Amadeus “has a liveliness that resembles a live performance.” Every little so-called quirk, such as the now-famous golf ball at the tonearm pivot, results in a thoughtful improvement in sound that we grew to appreciate and even love during its stay.
Pear Audio Blue Kid Thomas ($8,995 USD w/Cornet 2 Tonearm)
“No-frills and kinda plain,” this turntable is based on the well-received Nottingham designs of yore and focuses on performance rather than frivolous bling. The double plinth contains a layer of Sorbothane, and the platter is a heavy monster, but the sound is “lovely” and especially dreamy with the human voice. Overall, we thought that the Pear Audio Blue Kid Thomas was the turntable that sounded most like a 300B vacuum tube, if that makes sense. It does to us.
Dr. Feickert Analogue Firebird ($14,540 USD)
The Firebird stands out from the other turntables in this German company’s line because it has three motors, and because it can accommodate two arms. Dr. Feickert’s turntables are easy to set-up, thanks to a built-in protractor and ingenious arm board that lets users attain perfect alignment quickly and with less fuss. The Firebird has a solid, powerful and confident sound that comes from the geometric alignment of the motors, and the reduced surface contact in the bearing allows even more music to come through.
J. Sikora Initial Max (from $14,995 USD, price with optional finish $17,250 USD)
The Max version of J. Sikora’s entry-level turntable has an additional platform, glass platter and other features, making it anything but entry-level–this is a BIG turntable, and it sounds like it. Supremely musical and solid and beautifully finished, this Polish record spinner is incredibly quiet and excels at presenting perfectly black silences between the notes. Review forthcoming.
Brinkmann Taurus ($15,990 USD)
This direct-drive turntable offers the next level of precision, isolation and stability for a playback device and offers sound quality that is notably more solid and focused than belt-drive turntables at its price point. The nearly 80-pound dedicated platform from Harmonic Resolution Systems ($3900) is considered by Brinkmann to be essential for the best performance. One of the most purposeful LP spinners we’ve used and definitely one of the best turntables PTA has reviewed. A Reviewers Choice winner.
Acoustic Signature Typhoon NEO ($17,995 USD)
We found that the “Acoustic Signature Typhoon NEO with a TA-5000 arm gets you near-perfect German engineering—direct off the Invictus lineage.” This three-motor deck with digital motor control is exhilarating to the point where we almost reached sensory overload, with every LP sounding just soooo goood. A Reviewer’s Choice award winner.
VPI Industries HW-40 ($22,000 USD)
The HW-40, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of VPI Industries, is very similar to the awesome $30K direct-drive DD model that impressed everyone a few years ago. This new model is offered at a lower price, a result of buying parts in bulk and learning a few tricks along the way. Plus, you get the latest version of the new Fat Boy tonearm included in the price.
TW Acustic Raven LS ($24,000 USD)
TW Acustic, the German company known primarily for their high-end turntables and tonearms, delivers big time with their newest turntable in the Raven series, the Raven-LS. The 88 lb. Raven (including its 22 lb. platter) is firmly in the high-mass camp of designs. For a $24,000 turntable (with tonearm, standard platter, and single motor option, full copper platter, 3 motor option extra), we feel that it represents some of the best sound we’ve heard at any price.
Read the rest of the Summer 2024 Buyers Guide from Part-Time Audiophile!
Best Phono Cartridges, Tonearms and Headshells
Best Grounding, Power Management and Cables
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