Best Audiophile Turntables for 2022 – Complete Buyer’s Guide

Are you breaking the web for hunting authentic and dramatic audiophile record players or looking for the best turntables producing detailed and engaging sound? Presumably, these are the reasons which have brought you here, and if that is the case you have hit on the right spot.

This is because we, are here going to review the best audiophile turntables to make it easy for you to determine the best one for you out of so many options available in the market. Audiophile turntables are modern devices that are high-end alternatives to the pioneer record players that would be stored in your attic getting covered by heaps of dust with each passing day.

For a more profound review of the best audiophile turntables go through our review article and find out the ultimate winner. Hurried enough to miss out on reading the entire article? Don’t worry we have got you covered and have brought you our top pick. Rega Planar 2 Turntable is the best turntable that is coming with a double M cartridge made of up carbon and has brass bearings of a diameter of 11 millimeters.

Best Audiophile Turntables 2022 – Top 10 Picks

If you are not satisfied with just the top pick and want to have an immersive review of the top ten audiophile turntables coming in the market then you must run through our article on best audiophile turntables till the end. After going through it you could easily determine your desired product.

1. Rega Planar 2 Turntable – Best Audiophile Turntable for the Money

Rega Planar is the pioneer brand in the record player industry and has launched a good many numbers of turntables that are well recognized throughout the world. This brand is known for various reasons such as the clarity of sound, quality, and bass produced by the turntables and the durable construction of the platter and turntable casings. But all of these features are present in bits and shred in all other turntables coming in the market, so, it is wiser to go with this Rega Planer 2 that is the best audiophile turntable of our today’s selection.

Features:

The foremost feature is its S-shaped tonearm that was replaced few years after launch into the P2 2000 model and it is still running alongside the Rega RB 250. The Planar 2 has a very dependable built and is made up of a drive belt complemented by the plastic enclosure and has the dust covering lids that act as the hinges for the plastic enclosure of the platter.

The platter is the acrylic laminated plinth and has the straight built for retaining the standard in the field. The turntable is switched on or off using the power button that is lying underneath the laminated plinth.  The design of the platter is Opti-wide and it is being operated by a 24V motor that has nearly insulated sound production and appears to be inaudible for the motor noise.

The low noise of the motor ensures that you can enjoy the record you want to play over your turntable without any external or internal distortion in the sound quality. The brand new tonearm of the planer 2 is complimented with the ultra-ball bearings that have the lowest possible friction and thus platter is easier to move over the drive belt.

2. Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT

If you are looking for an aesthetically appealing turntable then there is no better option than the audio Technica series and the benchmark product of Technica manufacturing firm will prove themselves to be worthy of your investment for quite a long run. This is a very simple turntable and is also quite easy to set up taking no time for its installation.

Features:

This Audio Technica record player is introduced under the trademark of AT LP series and is an LP120 model that has several pleasing features to make an all-round record player. By all-around record player, the thing that first comes to mind is the capability of running both the digital and conventional records and this is a good case with this device.

This turntable will be the best for its bits and bobs that act as the sound pitch control mechanism and owing to this pitch control tech the turntable will be able to produce the super immersive and quality sound that is the desired thing to look for in a turntable. All you have to do for setting the record player is to unbox it and put the platter over the drive belt and after that, you have to fix the cartridge that requires connecting them to the tonearm. Hinges are connected to the dust cover and that’s all for the installation after which you can switch it on and listen to your favorite sounds out of it.

3. Audio-Technica ATLP5

As we said earlier, the Audio Technica series turntables are well-known for their exquisite outlook and trendy design, so is the case with this model. This turntable is yet again a very competent member of the AT LP series and is launched as the LP5 model. This audio technical turntable is a very fine quality and reasonably wallet-friendly product that is an amazing addition to our selection of best record players.

Features:

This record player has an elegant design that is the foremost feature to begin its hunt as the design and outlook of the turntable are prime factors determining the significance of the player in the market. This turntable has a very reliable presentation that has all the parts carefully tuned in a way to yield a quality and dependable presentation.

As far as its operation goes this Audio Technica product has retained the manufacturing legacy of coming up with an easy installation and is also very simple to operate. The best and most commendable aspect of this product is its integrated phono modulation that is the necessary feature to look for in a turntable.

The phono modulation or specifically known as the phono pre-amplification is a stage in the operation of the record player that amplifies the sound output of the player and feeds this output to the main amplifier that increases its loudness and frequency.

4. Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK

Another turntable by the Audio Technica brand appearing in the selection of audiophile turntables shows the significance of the brand in the record players industry. The fact that this manufacturing firm has three product among the top five audiophile turntables is not something to forget and bypass.

Features:

This model is the predecessor of our aforementioned product Audio Technica AT LP 120 and this time it is coming with a  60X base that is nothing less than the expertise and excellence of the 120X model. Brand selection is an important aspect of investing your bucks and this trusted lineup of audiophile turntables will ensure you that you are investing your hard-earned fortune over a worthy product.

This turntable by the Technica has an aluminum platter that is the finest material for the construction of audiophile turntables precisely the platter used for rotation or vibrations. Besides its platter, the rest of the body is made of plastic and metal and is therefore not the best one in the market.

The plastic construction of the turntable is the only hindrance in its way to the top tier and for this simple reason its price tag is also not very skyrocketed and you can find it within the range of your budget.

5. Sony PS-LX310BT Turntable

Sony is the pioneer brand in the electronic industry and has retained its legacy in audio devices be it speakers, subwoofers, or accessories. The modern-day turntables are no exception to the manufacturing legacy of Sony and therefore you will be getting your hands on some of the finest quality turntables if you plan to go for a Sony model.

Features:

This model is a perfect turntable in the audiophile category and has the techiest electronics that were not found in even the best turntable like the Rega Planar series. This model is all about fancy features and wireless connectivity and therefore it is aimed at making the life of users simple to a certain extent since they don’t have to go through the hurdles f installation and turning before playing their record player.

This record player is coming with wireless connectivity which means you could connect it to your WIFI and pay your favorite sound directly from your mobile devices to PC into your turntable. Another important aspect of the connectivity is its Bluetooth connection and this is also a modern-day necessity that must be looked upon in the latest turntables.

As far as the phono amplification is concerned this model has a very reliable phono stage and therefore users will not be having to buy the additional products for making this turntable run. The fact that this audiophile turntable has a pre-installed amplification system surprises the buyers and please them to a great extent.

6. Denon DP-300F – Best Audiophile Automatic Turntable

The earlier mentioned turntables were best in class for their design and construction but the only thing preventing them from the ideal product title is the quality of the sound produced by these products. As no product is perfect and there are certain limitations of each tool or item based on the price constraints and manufacturing excellence. This turntable is coming with the best sound quality and this is compensated by its construction.

Features:

By compensation of its construction, all we meant is the fact that this product doesn’t have a very compact and sturdy construction ad this is because manufacturers have inserted their strengths in the quality of sound and performance of the turntable. This emphasis on performance has deprived the turntable of its elegant construction.

Though the design and built are not the best but these are still fine enough to make these devices enter the list of best products in the field and the built is only limited to the poor quality control buttons and plastic body. Apart from the best quality sound this is a fully automated product and will automatically play you the sound you want it to play for you without any manual control.

By automated control, it is referred to go for an app control or the wireless connection. The USB connectivity offered along with this turntable is undoubtedly the most praiseworthy feature of it and this will allow you to play your digital record stored in the USB directly through your turntable.

7. U-Turn Audio – Orbit Plus

U-turn is a relatively lesser-known brand when it comes to audiophile turntables and this is because the completion is quite harsh in the market with many quality and well-established products coming each day in the category. This less-known appearance in the market is not based on the performance of the product and when users get to know this turntable they are quite impressed and deeply moved by its capabilities.

Features:

This product is a budget-friendly turntable and is highly recommended by critiques for entry-level turntables coming at an affordable price tag. The fact that this product is coming at beyond $300 cost doesn’t make it a perfect fit for beginning level devices in our point of view and therefore it would be great to add it into our selection of affordable audiophile turntables.

Talking about its design and construction draws our attention to its platter that is well built and is made up of acrylic having the OA2 tonearm connected to the dual MM carbon cartridges. These double M carbon cartridges are the similarity between the Rega Planar turntable series and this model and Rega has retained the MM cartridges in nearly all of their pioneer models.

Apart from that this device has an adjustable counterweight feature that will adjust the setting of the turntable according to the weight placed over it. It also has the anti-skate ability to prevent your records from mechanical distortion or any other potential damage.

8. Victrola Vintage 550BT-GRY

Victrola Vintage is another of less heard brand names that don’t have enrooted itself in the market or rather is new with its turntable products. But this latest inception of the turntables is not restricting its entry to our selection of best audiophiles and this is because it is already equipped with all the latest techs and has the dependable sound quality and performance having its way to the best turntables category.

Features:

This model is having a very compact and sturdy construction and this is apparent by its suitcase design. This suitcase design is the best in the town presentation for an anti-dust covering and you will be having a fashionable and trendy product in your home.

This suitcase construction is not equally acknowledged in the market and is different according to the different points of view of the potential buyers. The fact that this suitcase design will prevent the turntable platter from the dust and casing will be most effective for this purpose is increasing the effectiveness of its capturing more users.

But some of the users don’t have to own a bulky device and are therefore looking for a sleek design that doesn’t have an enormous or gigantic construction like the suitcase ones. The most notable aspect of this turntable is its onboard audio source and this is because of the built-in speakers that are added into the construction of this turntable and produce a super clear sound that is best in its quality and has the highest bass.

9. Crosley C6 Turntable

Crosley turntables are coming with a dedicated lineup of user-friendly record players that are equipped with all the necessary features to make them counted among the best products. This Crosley turntable is a prestigious member of the C series record players and it has a dedicated range of pristine features that are acting as the solid base beneath the brand name.

Features:

The foremost feature to begin its review with is the integrated phono mode that is allowing it to have an onboard amplification system that is working to amplify the tiny output of the record player. After amplification, this output will be fed to the main amplifier for final amplification and this will be resulting in loud and clear audio.

Phono pre-amplification is a mandatory step for sound production by the turntable and missing it would not be able to feed the output for loud audio. Therefore it is necessary to have a phono mode onboard with your turntable and this model is good to go with this feature.

Another of its good thing is its built-in speakers that are not commonly encountered in most of the turntables and their presence will make it possible for the users to have an immersive and thrilling cinematic audio that is the whole purpose of investing in an audio device.

10. Cambridge Audio Alva TT – Direct Drive Turntable

Cambridge audio Alva turntable is coming with a high-end cost that is more than enough for an amazing audiophile turntable but since the brand is known for its white geese there is no wonder as to why the price tag is so much skyrocketed. This beyond 1000 USD turntable is not all about its brand name but has many great enough features to make up to the top ten products.

Features:

This product is the last one in our best audiophile record players and this is because it has the bottom line features that are found in bits and shreds in most of the turntables coming in the market. But the brand name is a mouthpiece of durability and reliability of the product and this is the point that determines the ultimate worth of a product.

This product is still demanding in the market despite its high price cost tag because Cambridge is a trusted name in the market and this product is known to last decades, therefore, it would be wiser to spend your fortune once on this product despite buying a poor quality turntable and then after a couple of time looking for a new product altogether.

This turntable doesn’t come up with wireless connectivity and you have to make use of a wired connection, besides that it is also not supportive of the USB or Bluetooth connection and these prove to be the downside of the turntables. Another flaw of this product is its lack of phono pre-amplification and counter that you must buy an accessory phone by spending some additional bucks.

Buying Guide: What To Look for in the Best Audiophile Turntables

The most common query that might pop out in your mind while deciding to buy a new record player to replace the one laying in your attic could be” what to look for in the best turntable before shopping?

This is a reasonable query and demands you to put in a lot of effort as you have to go through the must-have features to arise at a conclusion about the ultimate winner. But don’t worry we have done the hard part and have brought you a comprehensive guide where you can find out the necessary features to look for heading for the final purchase of an audiophile turntable.

Sound Quality

The foremost factor to begin your hunt for the best turntables is to check the quality of the sound and this is one such feature without which there is no difference between an entry-level 200 USD turntable and a high-end beyond 2000 USD product. Therefore utmost care must be given to find out the best sound quality in a turntable at any cost.

Phono Stage

The phono stage refers to the step-up amplification process and it is a very crucial setup for a turntable allowing the tiny output of the record player to be amplified to a level where the stereo amplifier can easily operate.

But many record players are coming without the phono stage and you will need to buy the external phono amplifier before feeding the output to a stereo amplifier. Buying this external amplification could be an additional cost that is worth not the money and you should therefore look for a turntable that is coming with the built-in phono stage.

Brand Name

It may look out of the board to say that we should go with the brand name while buying your favorite turntable but it is a reality that cannot be bypassed. The brand name will provide you insight into the sound quality, elegance of the design, trusted manufacturing, and specialized kit that will be able to linger on beside your side for many coming years.

Modern-day Turntables are quite costly products and therefore it wouldn’t be wise to randomly purchase the turntable without any assurance from the manufacturing firm. Therefore it would be wiser for you to go for the well-established and trusted brands in the field like the Rega Planar or the Clearaudio concept.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the best cheap/affordable turntable?

Rega Planar 1 is the best inexpensive or affordable turntable that is offering a great number of features and secs at a minimal price and you can have a belt drive moving cartridge record player at a very reasonable cost. This turntable is offering a manual operation and has a speed of 33.25 to make it a great product.

What is the best entry-level turntable?

Audio Technica AT LP120XUSB is the best entry-level turntable and is one of the finest record players in its category offering plenty of features in exchange for its minimal price. It has 78 RPM records and is capable of converting VINYL to digital records.

What is the best mid-range turntable?

Rega Planar 2 Turntable is the best mid-range turntable that is a successor of planer 1 and is preceded by the Rega Planar 3 turntables. It has dual carbon cartridges and is offering RB 220 Tonearm along with vibration-reducing feet.

What is the best high-end turntable?

Rega Planar 10 is the best high-end turntable that is the top model of the Rega Planar series and is coming without a cartridge but is complemented by the Apheta 3 making it the finest and rhythmically driven record player giving insightfully impressive sound.

Conclusion

Now that you have gone through the best audiophile turntables. It is time for you to choose the best one according to your preference and our list of top ten unbiased turntables will help you choose the best one out of all. Besides that, we have also mentioned our top pick that will aid you in quickly selecting the best audiophile turntable.