Vinyl has always been around – forget the fact that it’s back in a huge way. If you are a big audiophile enthusiasts, you will certainly concur, nothing beats the amazing feeling derived from when a stylus relaxes into an amazing vinyl groove. Lately, we have been witnessing a surge in vinyl record popularity, meaning finding your classics shouldn’t be that much of a problem to begin with. Current artists with huge songs are also releasing their hits on vinyl, besides offering a digital download code for convenience purposes.
The bottom line is, you need not have a ballooning bank account to enjoy your classic records as you make a debut in the classy vinyl game. It is worth noting there are a plethora of great options even for those craving some audiophile cravings, on a budget. To make it easier for you while heading out on a turntable shopping spree, we reviewed the best turntable under $500, for 2020.
The Best Turntables under $500:
Now that you’ve finally decided to invest in your hobby and bring cool music to your bachelor pad, you should be glad to know that you need not burn holes in your pocket. Here are some of the best options you have.
#1. Jensen JTA-230 3 Speed Stereo Turntable with Built-in Speakers
Design to get you the best of both worlds – simplicity and class, the Jensen product is certainly a music enthusiast favorite and for good reason. The belt driven 3-speed stereo turntable packs a plethora of solid features such as USB port complete with cable to convert your vinyl records into digital format. The edge it bears over competition is how it incorporates great technological features in seamless fashion. For instance, it comes with quality software for editing, recording and converting your classic audio content into MP3 format among others.
Additional features include a reliable pitch control system for quick and easy adjusting of the record speed, a standard auxiliary jack that enables the user to connect the latest gadgets from iPads to SmartPhones among other devices. Moreover, you get an auto stop switch for safe measure, dust cover and power indicator to cap it. The best part, though, has to be the amazing price tag of less than $50. Surely, what more could you ask for?
#2. Audio Technica AT-LP60BK Fully Auto Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable
Coming in second is an interesting product by, well, an interesting company. This two-speed turntable is a beast, and you should be instantly lured in by the pleasing aesthetics at first glance. That aside, investing in the Technica means getting great bang to the buck; going by the amazing features incorporated in the design. For instance, you get built-in adjustable phono pre-amplifier, alongside a handful of RCA output cables for simplistic connection to mobile devices or speakers.
The engineering explains why this beast warrants the second spot in our list and therefore, you shouldn’t be shocked to learn that it packs a convenient dual magnet phono cartridge with a durable diamond stylus. On top of this, you also get to enjoy the die-cast aluminum platter and anti-resonance features. In a nutshell, you could do a lot worse with any other product than the Technica. And at only $99, it is certainly worth every dime.
#3. The Jensen JTA-222 3-Speed Turntable
If you are looking for a classy turntable with all the right aesthetic features of an antique, well, this is your safest bet. The wood finish gives it a raw look that resonates well with classics. Unlike other products on our list, this isn’t the turntable with sophisticated features and fancy specs to blow your mind. Instead, you get an AM/FM stereo receiver and essential AUX output terminals just in case you want to connect it to some headphones or external speakers.
This isn’t the product to invest in if USB ports or Bluetooth connections are your thing. Rather, it is the ideal turntable for those seeking an authentic music journey from way back in the days. At only $39, there is truly nothing to complain about here.
#4. 1Byone Bluetooth Turntable with in-built Stereo Speakers and Vinyl to MP3 Recording
At first, you would be fooled into thinking that 1byone turntable is quite a sophisticated gadget with fancy features all over. Wrong. In fact, this product bears one of the most authentic looks thanks to impeccable natural wood finishes that distinguish it from competition. In short, its striking combination of classy, pleasing aesthetics and great technological features give it a place, among the upper echelon of turntables.Besides the wood trim, you also get a dust cover to keep it in top-notch condition over the years,
Bluetooth compatibility just in case you want to play music directly from devices and of course, reliable built-in speakers and optimized two-way stereo system. In short, this product is basically an old school turntable, only with modern technology to back up its worth.
#5. Audio Technica AT-LP120-USB Direct-Drive Silver Turntable
At $299, the technical product may seem slightly expensive compared to our top four turntables, but this isn’t to imply that it doesn’t offer great value for money. For starters, the metallic silver casing ensures that you will continue getting the best vinyl tunes for years to come. It adopts a selectable internal stereo phono pre-amplifier, high-torque direct drive motor and S-shaped tone arm design facilitated by adjustable anti-skate and counterweight features.
It is worth noting the Technica AT-LPT20 can be easily connected to your Mac or iPad device via USB. The Audacity software and RCA cables should also go a long way in making your experience worth the while.
In Conclusion
When out shopping for a turntable as a novice, never get intimidated by the mechanics. The products above will play all your classics with a push of a button and the best thing is, you need not fret about what to do about converting audio content into MP3, with some of the products above. Our top five turntables under $500 are certainly worth your time and investment.