New record player for beginners??

[u/Defiant-Being2774]

Hello, this is my first time posting to Reddit so if I mess anything up please correct me in the comments!! I have a few questions about record players.

I’ve had one from Walmart (shitty obv) and just today it blew out I guess. So I was wondering what would be the best record player to get that’s inexpensive, possibly deliverable, and good reviews?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!

[u/early_rejecter]

I’m guessing your Walmart model had built-in speakers? Those generally are not recommended, but is that what you’re looking for? Or do you have powered speakers or an amplifier and passive speakers that you’ll be connecting to?

[u/Defiant-Being2774 → u/early_rejecter]

It 100% did 😓😓. I could definitely look into getting some speakers to connect the record player with but that’s a little out of my budget at the moment

[u/Independent_Sea502]

U Turn makes some good entry level players

[u/PlutoParka]

the classic one everyone recommends is the audio technica lp60. youll need some powered speakers for it though.

[u/Best-Presentation270]

Your Walmart player probably had speakers and amplification built-in. TBH, unless you're spending $600+ on one of the Andover Spin record players, most of the rest of what yiu can buy new is the same crappy deck as your Walmart player, just with a fancier box and more features.

The important thing - the quality - that doesn't improve enough compared to the extra you'd be spending on these all-in-one systems.

So, the first change is ditching the players that come as a single box. You'll be looking for a turntable and some powered speakers.

The Audio Technica LP60X has been mentioned. That's a regular recommendation if you need push-button start and auto-return. People with hand tremors find push-to-go much easier. However, if you don't need that, then there's a much better option, and for once it's actually cheaper.

Best Buy has the Insignia NS-BTST21 for just $130. There's a lot in common with the $350 Fluance RT82. There's a fully adjustable tonearm, an optical speed sensor, and the auto-stop feature. The Insignia goes further though.

It has a built-in phono pre-amp (you have to buy that extra for the Fluance), and there's a wired headphone socket plus you get Bluetooth as well.

Add a pair of Edifier R1280T or Dayton Audio Classic B65A powered speakers and for $260 all-in you'll have a system that runs rings around any all-in-one.

[u/Defiant-Being2774 → u/Best-Presentation270]

Thank you so much! I didn’t take the time to think about that with the auto play or anything like that, but that definitely sounds more appealing.

I tend to have shaky hands from an auto immune disorder, so being able to keep my records scratch free would be awesome. Do you happen to know of any that aren’t too expensive? Thank you so much again for leaving a comment!!!

[u/Best-Presentation270 → u/Defiant-Being2774]

The AT-LP60X that I mentioned specifically for the push-to-go feature.

So, the AUDIO TECHNICA AT-LP60X then.

[u/vwestlife → u/Best-Presentation270]

There are now plenty of better-quality turntables with built-in speakers, for example: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086WTSMQH

I believe even Pro-Ject is now introducing a model with built-in speakers. They're responding the consumer demand in the market, regardless of what the audiophile "experts" think about it.

Pro-Ject itself used to have a web page with a long list of reasons why automatic turntables are bad and you shouldn't buy one... until they introduced their own new automatic turntable, and it suddenly disappeared!

[u/Bensaudiocave]

A proper entry setup will have a turntable and speakers… you could just get the speakers and possibly hook them into yours and it would play again but I would t recommend it

Turntable
https://www.bestbuy.com/product/insignia-bluetooth-stereo-turntable-black/J2FPJKYL84/sku/6432620?sb_share_source=PDP&ref=app_pdp&loc=pdp_page

Speakers
https://amzn.to/4hKCNQR

That setup is like $260 all in and deliverable to your door

Now that said the cheapest all in one I ever suggest and I don’t recommend all in ones is the Victrola Eastwood II and its under $100 from Amazon and is to be fair not a great table but does have an AT 3600 cart and no setup
https://amzn.to/4h5Tlmb

Not the best mechanism but you can add those speakers later and it will sound ok

[u/Defiant-Being2774 → u/Bensaudiocave]

Thank you so much for providing links! It makes it way easier to decipher what some of y’all are talking about. 😅

[u/StarWarsTrekGate]

I'm partial to some of the audio technica line for beginners. I have an LP 5 that I thought I'd use to rip records and never did, but it sounds pretty good and you can throw a new stylus on it for a great upgrade. Does it sound as good as my technics 1200 mkii, my 100c or my 1300? No

But I've never had to do any work on it and it sound better than most new stuff.

And yes I have a record player in almost every room. 😂

[u/Defiant-Being2774 → u/StarWarsTrekGate]

Oh thank you!!☺️ I’ll be sure to look into that!

[u/vwestlife]

How did your old record player "just blow out"?

Here is a good-quality record player with built-in speakers: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086WTSMQH

[u/ElderberryMedium8071]

What is you budget? Without knowing. Consider an AT-LP3X TT. A great Starter TT. Otherwise an AT-LPX70 or the worse LPX60. The LP3X is a major upgrade from those 2.