Best turntables for 2021

Best value — Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO

The original Debut Carbon was my go-to for this category for years, but Pro-Ject has introduced the Debut Carbon EVO, and it's the new "best value" champ. EVO stands for "evolution," and that's a good description of what's happened. They kept everything that was great about its predecessor — reasonable price, good looks, and high quality — and added some upgrades.

The biggest, and most welcome change, is the inclusion of a pre-mounted Sumiko Rainier moving magnet cartridge. It offers a nice, wide frequency response in the 15-25,000 Hz range, which ensures that you can hear every note in your favorite recordings. And they added sound-damping material to the platter, improved the motor and suspension, and added a convenient switch for electronic speed change from 33-1/3 to 45 rpm.

The Debut Carbon EVO is relatively easy to set up. It's a little old-school, in that it requires manual operation, and must be hooked up to an external phono preamp, but I kind of like that.

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Best for Beginners — Sony PS-LX310BT

The Sony PS-LX310BT is a great gift idea for a family member who loves their records, but may be a bit tech-averse. It's fully automatic, so you don't have to hover around waiting to lift the tonearm when a track ends. It frees you up to move around the house while listening.

It also has Bluetooth output, so you can play records wirelessly through portable speakers and headphones. Should you ever decide to hook it up to a conventional stereo system, the built-in preamp will simplify things. And it's at a very reasonable price point.

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Best for playing 78s — Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB

There are a number of turntables we carry that can play 78s, but the Debut Carbon Esprit SB goes the extra step to make it almost convenient. The belt required to make a platter spin at a higher speed is included with purchase, and Pro-Ject's reliable Speed Box is built-in.

The 'table's heavy 12" precision-machined acrylic platter reduces unwanted resonance and lowers the turntable's noise floor, which is nice when listening to older recordings. As with many higher-end turntables, the DC Esprit SB requires an additional phono preamp, which allows you to choose a high-quality one that matches this excellent player.

Important note about playing 78s

There are two types of 78 rpm records — the original-style (pre-1948) shellac discs with relatively large grooves, and newer vinyl discs with the microgrooves used by 33-1/3 and 45 records. If you want to play new ones, all you have to do is get the speed right. If you want to play vintage records, you also need to change out the cartridge to one with a much larger diameter stylus — like the one in the Audio-Technica VM670SP cartridge — to avoid damaging the stylus and the record.

Read: How to play 78s from the Pro-Ject website

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Best for DJs — Audio-Technica LP-140X

If you spin records professionally — in a club, at weddings, etc. — you need some features a casual listener might not prioritize. The LP-140X features a fast-starting motor that gets up to speed in a hurry, and a convenient cueing light that helps you find your groove even in the dark.

This 'table features a factory-installed AT-XP3 DJ cartridge that's designed for professional use, and it's mounted on a universal headshell, so you can upgrade whenever you like.You also get advanced features like forward and reverse play and variable pitch control that let you get creative and keep everyone dancing.

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Best for ripping vinyl — Music Hall USB-1

There are several turntables with USB outputs these days, but I like the Music Hall USB-1 for its value price. Best of all, it has a built-in preamp, and the recording software is included, so you can get started making digital copies of your treasured records quickly and easily.

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Best for audiophiles — Mobile Fidelity UltraDeck +M

MoFi makes gorgeous remastered records, and they built the UltraDeck +M to their exacting high-fidelity standards. A stable platter is important for a high-end turntable, and to that end MoFi uses a dense, noise-reducing polymer called Delrin® on a steel inverted bearing system that provides smooth, quiet rotation.

It also features an excellent factory-installed cartridge with a Micro-Line diamond stylus called the MoFi Master Tracker, so it sounds incredible right out of the box. Cardas Audio wiring maintains pristine signal purity throughout the signal path.

This one requires a phono preamp, and you can't go wrong with the ones Mobile Fidelity makes. The StudioPhono is a nice companion piece, but frequent headphone listeners might prefer the UltraPhono, which includes an excellent headphone amplifier.

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Best looking — Music Hall MMF-1.5

Everyone has their own idea of what looks best, but I favor the classic elegance of the Music Hall MMF-1.5. The curved tonearm is a nice visual touch, and the manufacturer claims it tracks the grooves more accurately, too. The cherry wood finish adds a touch of class.

It's not just about the looks, either. This 'table features a factory-installed moving-magnet cartridge that performs very well, and a convenient built-in phono preamp.

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Most modern — Yamaha TT-N503

Turntables are analog technology — but that doesn't mean they have to be stuck in the last century. The Yamaha TT-N503 is a very modern wonder — it features built-in Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, Apple AirPlay®, and Spotify® Connect, so it can double as a streaming music source when you're not listening to records.

It's also equipped with Yamaha's MusicCast technology, which frees you to put the player anywhere you like and build a wireless multi-room system around it. There's also a phono preamp built in, should you choose to hook it up to your existing stereo system or a pair of powered stereo speakers.

How do I make sure I get everything I need?

Have questions about home stereo gear? Our Advisors can help you put together a system that matches your unique listening requirements, as well as your budget.

Contact us today.

And don't worry if you need a little setup help when your turntable arrives. Free lifetime tech support is included with your Crutchfield purchase.