Adam holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Linguistics, and creative writing has always been his greatest passion. For more than 25 years he's been working for several well-known automobile and travel magazines as an editor and expert consultant, but when Adam started his writing path here, at WisePick, it turned out that he's capable of writing practically anything about everything.
Initially being an engineering specialist, Tom has never stopped learning and acquiring other knowledge and skills. Now he’s involved in technical support for a well-known household appliances manufacturer, so no wonder he knows everything about almost everything you buy for your home.
Last updated: May 24, 2021
Wise Pick is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
Are you looking to get the best sound from your turntable? Guess you probably have a budget of around $2000. Well, if you are looking for the best turntable under 2000 dollars, you have come to the right place. In this post, we review five of the best models in this price range. These models come from different brands, but have something in common – high quality.
There are so many models on the market, which can make it hard to find the right model for you. Well, do not be intimidated any longer as we have taken the time to compile the best models that you can find right now. When compiling this list of the best turntables under $2000, we considered several important features. Some of the things we considered include the speed, tonearm, platter, guarantee, and dimensions. In the buying guide section, we take an in-depth look at each of these factors. First, let’s consider the best turntables.
"This is the value buy, a flagship turntable under $2000 that offers a good combination of design and performance.Two speeds.Belt drive.19.9 lbs weight."
The first option on this list is the Marantz TT-15S1. If you are looking to move into the higher-end turntable level, then this is a wonderful option. Right from the first glance, it is clear that is not the ordinary turntable. It looks so good and will seamlessly fit into your décor. If you are looking for a model to add an elegance and class to your space, look no further than this model.
However, it is not just pretty looks with this turntable. There is certainly more to what meets the eyes. While this is a Marantz branded model, it is actually made by Clearaudio.
It comes with features that stand out among its peers. The tonearm and cartridge are of incredible quality. It manages to pull out so much detail from the record grooves to give some of the best rated sounds that we have come across.
After installation, you can start playing the model. And does it sound so well! The first thing you’ll observe is the silence of the motor. And when you play your record, you will certainly be blown away by the machine’s ability to bring out the details in the music. The music is clearly defined and satisfying.
What do we love it for?
This is a turntable with a whisper quiet motor. It gives incredible detailing of records and offers you one of the best performances from a turntable.
What were we disappointed with?
Well, installation is not a walk in the park. It is delicate and will take plenty of time, especially of this is your first turntable.
If you are a DJ looking for the best direct drive turntable under $2000, then you will be pleased with the performance of this model. The Technics SL-1200MK7 is the best direct drive option that we have tested at this price.
Right out of the box, this unit scores high marks for its design. It comes from a brand that is renowned in the world of music equipment for the high quality of its products. This model is certainly no exception. The sound on offer is rich and clear.
The turntable is made of high quality materials that ensure that it lasts for a long time.
Where our top pick is somewhat cumbersome to install, the Technics SL-1200MK7 is quite straightforward to set up and use. Using this model, you can play your vinyl records with no stress. One notable feature that we love is the amount of control that you have over the music. The torque is impressive and is certainly one of the best things about this turntable.
Sonically, it is hard to beat the performance on this turntable. The music is well-balanced and offers you excellent isolation that makes it sound so great.
What makes it stand out?
This is an exciting turntable that is aimed at the DJ audience. It gives a well-balanced sound and durable performance.
Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
Well, this model is rather heavy and isn’t as portable as some of the others. The slider also has some functionality issues.
The Pro-Ject Audio Systems brand is known for the high-quality mid-range RPM turntables, and the Pro-Ject RPM5 is the latest offering from the brand. It features the iconic design of its predecessors, and has many new features that make it one of the best turntables that you can buy at this price.
As the name implies, carbon fiber was used for the design and construction of this model. You will find this material in the tonearm and the deck. Overall, the construction is sturdy and will last for a long time. Apart from durability, the material helps to reduce vibrations which might affect the sound performance.
It comes with a completely detached motor that lies outside the plinth. The design is one of the more unique designs that we found at this price. The platter is fitted as a thick acrylic piece. Everything looks really beautiful.
In actual use, we loved using the turntable. First of all, installation and setup was rather straightforward. Our impressions of the turntable are generally positive. The cartridge is fine sounding and offers good performance.
What are our favorite features?
This turntable comes with the best design overall. It looks really beautiful and solid to boot. You will certainly have people glancing in appreciation at the turntable. It also offers thrilling sound performance.
What could be better?
We would have preferred that the model came with better tonearm travel. Also for this price, it would have been cool if we could have selected the cartridge we want.
This model is a flagship offering from the Teac brand. The Teac brand might not be as popular as some of the other brands that we have reviewed on this roundup, but there is no denying the impressive quality of the Teac TN570B. It is a flagship model and lives up to expectations. It manages to combine a lovely design with good performance.
The turntable comes with an appealing finish, although it isn’t as good-looking as the Pro-Ject model that we reviewed above.
Weighing 19.9 pounds, this isn’t the lightest on the market, but it certainly offers you some level of compactness and portability. It is a two-speed option that can handle 33-1/3 RPM and 45 RPM vinyl records. It is also one of the best belt-driven turntables at this price.
The Teac TN570B is an audiophile turntable. It features a powerful DC motor and offers you a small footprint despite the power.
Performance-wise, we thoroughly enjoyed our time with this turntable. The sound quality is really good and the turntable is easy to use. Even people with little or no experience with turntables can handle this machine.
Why did it make our list?
This is the value buy. It is a flagship turntable that offers a good combination of design and performance. The DC motor is powerful and efficient.
What is not ideal about it?
We observed that there is some sensitivity from the tonearm design.
The last, but not the least on this round up is the easy-to-use, high performance Cambridge Audio Alva TT. It is a versatile turntable that allows you to do so much.
The brand is known for the high quality of its products, and the Cambridge Audio Alva TT is evidence that they are still on top of their game.
It comes with a lovely design, including a tapered base and a charcoal finish. It also sports a dust cover that will fit into your décor seamlessly.
Most of the high-end turntables are hard to setup, but not so with this model. It is a high-end option with simple installation. As with some of the best turntables, especially those favored by DJs, this model comes as a direct-drive turntable. The fiberboard and aluminum combination of materials means that this is one of the most durable options on this list.
One of the best things we like here is the platter. It is almost the same size of a record, but it comes with beveled edges that allow you to comfortably lift the record.
Aside from the ability to play your record, this model comes with Bluetooth connectivity. Performance is impressive on this model too and the built-in phono stage supports different cartridges.
What are our favorite features?
If you are an audiophile, you certainly will love this turntable. It supports high-res playing over Bluetooth and has a phono-stage that supports different cartridges.
What could be better?
The bass response could be better. There are also some issues with connecting with more than one Bluetooth device.
Things to Consider
In the review section above, we have considered five of the best turntables under $2000. These five models that we considered help you to narrow down your choices to the best models. In this buying guide section, we will consider all the important things that you should know about turntables. This includes the important features to consider before you make a buying choice and why you should buy a turntable.
Pros and Cons of Listening to music via turntables
The vinyl resurgence is here, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing anytime soon. Well, what are the reasons why you should strongly consider getting a record player? And what reasons might make you think twice about buying the turntable? Well, in this section, we will consider the benefits and drawbacks of buying a turntable.
Better Sound
Forget about the compression rate or the resolution of your digital music files – nothing beats listening to a vinyl record. With this record, you are listening to the music in its purest recorded format. There is no compression here, unlike what you get from digital files. With the vinyl record, you are listening to the music exactly how the singer wants it to be heard. As vinyl records are not compressed, there is no loss of quality due to compression of the file.
Vinyl records offer you more impressive dynamics during the mastering process.
Vinyl records give a warm sound that isn’t obtained from your digital files. With these records, you get the feeling of being right in front of the artist and listening to a live performance. Everything sounds original and not over-processed like with the digital records.
Longing for a nostalgic feeling? Then you should consider the aura of the vinyl record.
Enjoy Listening to Music
Everything seems so processed and artificial today, and that sadly extends to music. The fast-paced nature of society today makes it a luxury to pause and smell the roses, so to speak. With a turntable, you can take a break from all the hustle and bustle of life and just sit to enjoy music. It takes time to set up a record, and you will have a cool time lifting the cue, lining up the record, and playing the music.
For some people, in fact, turntables have a therapeutic effect. You listen to one side, change it to listen to the other side, and generally have a really good time. Another thing about vinyl records is that they often come with unique artwork; this is something else that you can enjoy.
Having antique vinyl players and records can even serve as art pieces in your home. Therefore, you can enjoy a lovely connection with the songs you listen to.
Vintage Sounds
Loads of songs that were sang in the past are now available for digital download. However, there is still a large chunk of records that are not yet available in digital format – and even if they are, the quality might be horrible. Having a turntable is one way to enjoy these vintage records in all their glory. There are so many songs just waiting to be discovered with your turntable.
Economy
If you have plenty of records already, having a turntable means that you don’t have to buy the records in digital format. You can continue to enjoy listening to them with a turntable.
Records are often affordable and cheaper than buying digital songs.
As you can see, there are just so many cool reasons to have a turntable. The best time to get a turntable is right now.
Disadvantages of Turntables
Portability
There aren’t a lot of reasons why you shouldn’t get a turntable. The main reason why you might hesitate to get it is that it isn’t portable. You can carry a million songs on a very small device and listen to them whenever and wherever you want. However, with the turntable, you certainly need to have the record available and have somewhere to place the turntable on before playing.
Accessibility
Another downside of a turntable is that the records to be played might not be easy to obtain. Most musicians don’t make songs in vinyl records, so it can be stressful finding a record that you want.
How to properly set your turntable
We have written this section to help you know how to set up the turntable. Many people might assume that they can do this, but in actual practice, most people set up the turntable wrongly, which can cause damage to the record.
To know how to set up the turntable, you must know the things that make up the turntable. Although there are several options on the market, the turntable comes with some basic components.
The platter
This part is also known as the turntable and comes in every record player. It is the platter that holds the record in place and spins it. It is made of different materials depending on the model of the machine, however, most are made of aluminium. To prevent damage to the record, some manufacturers fit the platter with felt.
Arm
The arm consists of the needle and the cartridge. Without these two components, you cannot play a record. The needle is designed with a diamond tip that runs along the record’s grooves and transmits vibrations to the cartridge. This in turn sends the vibrations to the amp which signals sound output through the speakers.
Playing a record is straightforward, and when done correctly, will ensure that your record does not suffer from any form of damage.
To play a record, place the side of the record you want to play on the platter. Next, raise the cue lever to raise the arm. Move the arm to the outer edge of the vinyl. Then switch on the turntable and set it to the right speed. Once all these are done, lower the arm to bring the needle in contact with the record.
Features to consider when buying the best turntable under $2000
Before you head out to buy a turntable, there are some very important features that you should consider. We will discuss all of these features in this section.
Drive Type
There are two types of drives – belt drive and direct drive. The type of drive is an indication of how the motor is connected to the platter.
Direct-drive turntables, as the name implies, are units that have the motor directly connected to the platter. One advantage of this is that it reaches speed almost immediately the unit is switched on. Additionally, this type of drive has the platter spinning with little resistance. An example is Technics SL-1200MK7.
The belt-drive is more common for casual users. As implied by the name, this type of drive has an elastic band connected to the motor. It is noiseless and will give a more nuanced sound. The belt-drive is preferred by more users due to the better platter isolation that it gives. However, the elastic band will need to be changed after some time.
Tonearm
The tonearm of the turntable is often made out of a lightweight and durable material like carbon fiber. Its function is to track the record grooves. When choosing your model, you have to consider whether it is a manual or automated option.
The manual model has a manual lever that you need to physically lift before and after placing in the vinyl record. If you are concerned about the sound quality, a manual model is the best for you.
There is also the semi-automatic. With this type of model, you will manually lower the tonearm. It is automatic because after the record has played, the turntable returns the tonearm itself.
The automatic tonearm has all the functions automated. With the push of a button, the turntable will move the tonearm into position and when the record is done playing, it will lift the tonearm and shut off the motor.
Guarantee
Choosing a turntable involves considering the guarantee offered by the manufacturer. A longer guarantee time means that you can have recourse in cases of damage or repair. The longer the guarantee, the better as this assures that you can repair the turntable without additional cost. The Marantz TT-15S1 offers a 5-year warranty, which is the best on this roundup.
Speed
There are different types of vinyl records, and each one has a speed it is compatible with. Some of the turntables on the market have a speed switch for changing the speed. The most common speeds are 33 RPM, 45 RPM, and 78 RPM. Some models have the ability to work with all three speeds or just two. The more the better. The models that we have reviewed , like the Cambridge Audio Alva TT, Pro-Ject RPM5, and the rest offer speeds of 33 and 45 RPM.
Dimensions
The size of the turntable you buy would depend on your preference and the space available. Turntables come at different sizes and some are bigger than others. The Pro-Ject RPM5 is the biggest that we have reviewed, while the Technics SL-1200MK7 comes as the smallest. Either way, we have reviewed models that are portable and will fit on most surfaces.
Outputs
This factor depends on how you prefer to listen to your music. If you prefer to connect headphones to your turntable or want a record player that can be connected with external speakers, then you should for a model with AUX outputs.
Platter
The platter is also referred to as the turntable and it plays an important part in the quality of your music and the lifespan of your record. The platter is made of different materials, with some made of felt, aluminium, or acrylic finish. The Pro-Ject RPM5 for example comes with an acrylic platter.
Accessories
When making a buying choice, you should consider if it comes with accessories. Some of the best accessories it can come with include extra needles, a dust cover, and vinyl cleaning sets.
Extra Features
You should consider the extra features that it comes with. For instance, does it have modern technologies like Bluetooth? Is it a wireless option? Does it offer USB connectivity? These are some of the things that you should consider when buying a turntable.
Some of the best turntables on the market are fitted with multiple tonearms. Having multiple tonearms allows you to have dedicated stereo and mono setups. It makes it easier to set up the turntable.
The best way is to use an anti-static cloth to wipe the surface. You can add a little rubbing alcohol on a lint-free cloth and clean the delicate parts like the needle.
Our Verdict
We have considered five options for the best turntable for under 2000 dollars. Marantz TT-15S1 is our number one pick. This is a turntable with a whisper quiet motor. It gives incredible detailing of records and offers you one of the best performances from a turntable.
The Teac TN570B is the value buy. It is a flagship turntable that offers a good combination of design and performance. The DC motor is powerful and efficient.
For DJs, the Technics SL-1200MK7 gives a well-balanced sound and durable performance.
Choose any of the models we have reviewed and rest assured of a wonderful sound performance.
