While it’s true that traditional turntable setups have many moving parts, that’s the nature of the beast — if not vinyl’s main allure. There’s also an easy workaround. These days, many turntables and speaker systems come with integrated components (like a phono preamplifier or amplifier) that make listening to vinyl hassle-free.
How We Reviewed
For nearly a decade, we’ve been writing about and reviewing audio products — including speakers, headphones, earbuds, and other audio components that run the gamut from consumer to hi-fi. We also work with major brands and talk to experts within the audio industry. The below selections of turntables and speakers are a combination of products we’ve had hands-on experience with, products recommended by audio professionals, and products made by brands trusted within the audio space.
To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.
The Entry-Level Setup
The Turntable
Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB
Specs
Turntable | Direct Drive |
Built-in Phono Preamp | Yes |
Speeds | 33-1/3, 45 and 78 RPM |
The AT-LP120XBT-USB is an excellent entry-level turntable. It has a built-in phono preamp for connecting a pair of powered speakers. It has built-in Bluetooth for streaming to wireless speakers. It has a USB output, you can hook it up to your computer and digitalize your records to listen to the files elsewhere. And it’s decked out with DJ-friendly features, similar to SL-1200, so you can try your hand at spinning.