Part of the vinyl records’ booming sales is the physical and listening experience many vinyl listeners are claiming to be exclusive to the format.
The vinyl is a physical format that needs the attention and care of the listener.
Because of this, people from the newer generations who’ve never had the chance to listen to them have been curious and are jumping into the bandwagon.
But not all vinyl collectors have been listening to them. Apparently, there are collectors with around a thousand vinyl records in collection without a vinyl record player in their homes!
If you are one of them, then I suggest you buy one now. It would be such a waste if they are not going to be played on a turntable.
Remember that vinyl records are great to listen to as much as they are great to display in your house or room.
To experience that exclusive vinyl listening experience vinyl enthusiasts are bragging about, it is not enough to only possess a perfectly pressed or cut vinyl record. A good vinyl record player is also needed to complete it.
We have listed five of the best vinyl record players this 2021. If this is your first time buying one or maybe you’re on a tight budget, then you don’t have to worry.
We have budget-friendly and easy to set-up vinyl record players on top of them being one of the best, so sit back and relax, we got you covered.
Table of Contents
#1. REGA PLANAR 3/ ELYS 2
PRICE: £500 – £750 or $565 – $845
SPECIATIONS
| Dimensions (hwd): | 11.7 x 44.7 x 36 cm | Bluetooth: | No |
| Motor: | Belt drive | Speeds: | 33 ⅓, 45 |
| Cartridge: | Elys2 MM | Tracking force: | 2g |
| Phono preamp: | No | Finish: | White, Black, Red |
| USB: | No | ||
PROS
- Easy to Use
- Durable and Nice Finish
- Presentation is Cohesive, Rhythmic, and Dynamic
- Sound is Fun and Detailed
CONS
- Needs Care in Positioning
Rega’s P3 is by far the best high quality record player that exists at a very budget friendly price.
It’s also easy to use which is a plus for those who’ll be buying a record player for the first time.
The only thing to worry about this player is the focus and care you’ll need to give when positioning. This disadvantage is a common one for all turntables though, so you don’t have anything to really worry about.
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#2. PRO-JECT PRIMARY E
PRICE: £200 or $225
SPECIATIONS
| Dimensions (hwd): | 11.2 x 42 x 33 cm | Bluetooth: | – |
| Motor: | Belt drive | Speeds: | 33 ⅓, 45 |
| Cartridge: | Ortofon MM | Tracking force: | – |
| Phono preamp: | No | Finish: | White, Black, Red |
| USB: | No | ||
PROS
- Set-up and Usage is Easy
- Temperament is enjoyable
- Nails the sonic basics
CONS
- Edges of the Chassis are a little sharp
The record player is very easy to put together and use and it delivers great sound quality. All of this for a very affordable price of around $225.
This Project’s Primary E is the cheapest among the five record players in this list, but there is no obvious degradation among them.
In fact, the only disadvantage of this player is that its chassis’ edges are a little sharp.
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#3. REGA PLANAR 1
PRICE: £200 – £500 or $225 – $565
SPECIATIONS
| Dimensions (hwd): | 11.7 x 44.7 x 36 cm | Bluetooth: | No |
| Motor: | Belt drive | Speeds: | 33 ⅓, 45 |
| Cartridge: | Rega Carbon MM | Tracking force: | – |
| Phono preamp: | No | Finish: | White Black |
| USB: | No | ||
PROS
- Latest version of classic turntable
- Set-up is simple and easy to do
- Excellent sound
- There is a good amount of detail
CONS
- Manual Speed Change
Setting up this vinyl record player is easy to do, so first time users won’t be having a hard time putting it together.
The player also boasts an excellent sound quality. A downside of this is that you will have to change the speed manually.
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#4. TECHNICS SL-1500C
PRICE: £750 – £1000 or $845 – $1130
SPECIATIONS
| Dimensions (hwd): | 23 x 16 x 12 cm | Bluetooth: | – |
| Motor: | Direct drive | Speeds: | 33 ⅓, 45, 78 |
| Cartridge: | Yes | Tracking force: | – |
| Phono preamp: | Yes | Finish: | Black, Sliver |
| USB: | No | ||
PROS
- Easy to Use
- Includes the Cartridge
- Electric Speed Change
- Crisp, Detailed, and Musical Sound
- Excellent Bass
CONS
- N/A
Technics’ record player is the most expensive player we have for this list, and it has every right to be because this unit has no disadvantage whatsoever.
And even if you’re a first-time user of any record player, you won’t have a hard time operating this one.
This also includes a cartridge which makes it easier for you.
In addition to its excellent sound quality is the fact that speed changing is done electrically, so there will be no unnecessary hassle on your part.
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#5. SONY PS-HX500
PRICE: £299 or $340
SPECIATIONS
| Dimensions (hwd): | 10.4 x. 43 x 36.6 cm | Bluetooth: | No |
| Motor: | Belt drive | Speeds: | 33 ⅓, 45 |
| Cartridge: | MM | Tracking force: | 1.7 kg |
| Phono preamp: | Yes | Finish: | Black |
| USB: | Yes | ||
PROS
- Set-up is Simple
- Soundstage is Big and Spacious
- Rips Vinyl to Hi-res WAV or DSD File
- Vibrant and Transparent Sound
CONS
- Manual Speed Change
- Overall Look is Not that Special
Now we have the last player on the list.
It’s very easy to set-up and even has a spacious soundstage. It also produces great sound quality.
The bad thing about this player is that its speed change is done manually which is kind of easy to overlook since it’s not that expensive.
Something that should be noted though is that it’s look is not as special considering how there are cheaper ones on this list that still looked special.
And that’s it!
We have come to the end of our list of five of the best vinyl record players. I hope you found one that suits you, your taste, and your budget.
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James Hill is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company Unified Manufacturing, a CD/DVD, custom vinyl records and merch company in LA.
