How to Choose a Turntable: Complete Buying Guide + Video Tips
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Vinyl is back in a big way. Whether you're revisiting an old passion or discovering records for the first time, shopping for a turntable can be overwhelming. With so many options—automatic vs. manual, belt-driven vs. direct-drive, built-in preamp or external—it’s tough to know where to start. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to choose the right turntable for your needs and preferences.
What follows reflects my professional opinion based on over a decade of experience selling, maintaining, and demoing turntables and stereo systems—as well as the feedback I’ve received from countless customers. These are general guidelines, not hard and fast rules. At the end of the day, sound is subjective, and what’s right for one listener might not be right for another.
Automatic vs. Manual Turntables
One of the first choices you’ll face is whether to go with an automatic or manual turntable. The difference lies in how the tonearm is handled.
Automatic Turntables handle everything for you—just press a button and the tonearm will place itself on the record and return at the end. There are also hybrid models with auto-lift, which lift the arm at the end of a side but still require manual placement at the beginning.
Manual Turntables require you to lower and raise the needle yourself. While this might seem less convenient, many audiophiles prefer it due to fewer moving parts, which often translates into greater reliability and sound quality.
It’s worth noting that most records include a catch groove at the end, which helps trap the needle and prevents it from drifting into the label. Some catch grooves even include hidden audio. Still, it’s always best to lift the tonearm at the end to preserve your stylus.
Recommendation:
If convenience and ease of use are your priorities, go with an automatic turntable. If you value control, reliability, and potentially better sound, manual is the way to go.
Belt-Driven vs. Direct-Drive Turntables
Next, let’s look at how the motor spins the platter—this is where belt-driven and direct-drive designs come in.
Belt-Driven Turntables use a rubber belt to isolate the motor from the platter. This reduces vibrations and motor noise, generally resulting in cleaner sound. One thing to keep in mind: belts wear out over time. Models with large belts that wrap around the entire platter tend to wear faster than those using smaller sub-platter belts.
Direct-Drive Turntables have the motor directly beneath the platter, offering rock-solid speed and long-term durability. These are popular among DJs for their responsiveness. That said, if the drive mechanism relies on gears, it may introduce mechanical noise over time.
Recommendation:
For most systems under $2,000, a belt-driven turntable will provide superior sound. If your budget is over $2,000, there are some excellent direct-drive options worth considering.
External vs Built-in Phono Preamp
The signal from a turntable’s cartridge is very weak—only a few millivolts. To use it, you need a phono stage, or phono preamp, which amplifies the signal and applies the RIAA EQ curve to prepare it for your amplifier or speakers.
Turntables with Built-in Preamp are convenient and easy to use, especially if your system doesn’t already include one.
External Phono Preamps tend to offer better sound quality and flexibility—especially if you plan to upgrade your cartridge or move to a more advanced system.
Common Questions We Get About Phono Preamps
Which is better—the phono stage in my turntable or the one in my amp?
Listen to both and choose what sounds best to you. It’s not a cop-out—it’s the most honest advice.
What about my home theater receiver’s phono input?
Most are fairly basic, but depending on your turntable, it could still be a step up.
How long can the cable be between the turntable and preamp?
Keep it short—ideally under 3–4 feet—and use shielded cables to avoid noise. After the preamp, you can run longer interconnects to the rest of your system.
Recommendation:
Use a built-in preamp for simplicity. Go external for maximum performance. And if you’re using a low-output moving coil cartridge, a specialized preamp may be necessary.
Wireless Turntables
Wireless turntables, especially Bluetooth-enabled models, may be convenient—but they come with trade-offs. Bluetooth compresses audio, and the signal undergoes multiple conversions: analog to digital for transmission, and digital back to analog for playback. Add in interference from Wi-Fi, radio, and even solar radiation, and the result is a signal that’s noticeably degraded.
It’s like printing a high-resolution photo and then making photocopies over and over again. You lose clarity and definition with each step.
Recommendation:
If wireless is a must, consider lossless streaming options instead. My colleague Ben M. has several excellent videos covering these solutions on our YouTube channel.
Final Tips Before You Buy
Here are some last things to consider before choosing your turntable:
Cartridge Type: Know whether your system supports Moving Magnet (MM) or Moving Coil (MC).
Upgradability: Can you replace or upgrade the cartridge, platter, or tonearm?
Build Quality: Avoid plastic builds—look for solid, vibration-resistant construction.
Aesthetics: Your turntable will likely be on display—make sure it fits your space and style.
Budget: There are excellent options at every price point.
Turntable Recommendations by Budget
Under $1,000:
Pro-Ject Debut EVO 2
Audio-Technica ATLP120
Denon DP-450
$1,000 – $5,000:
Pro-Ject X2 B Balanced Turntable
Pro-Ject XA B Acrylic Balanced Turntable
Denon DP-3000 (Direct Drive)
Over $5,000:
Any model from McIntosh or Michell Engineering notably the McIntosh MT5 and Michell Gyro SE—both available to demo at our Montgomeryville showroom.
Need Help? We’re Here for You.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and that's a good thing. Whether you're looking for ease of use, audiophile-grade sound, or a showpiece that fits your décor, there’s a perfect turntable out there for you. If you’re unsure where to start—or just want some expert guidance—don’t hesitate to reach out to us or your local AV specialist. We're always happy to help you find the right setup for your needs.
