When shopping for an entry-level turntable, make sure it has a built-in preamp.
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol
ByTucker Bowe
Published
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Listening to vinyl isn’t as simple as asking Alexa to play a song or opening Spotify on your smartphone, and that’s part of the reason why people love it. The act of choosing a record, placing it and then dropping the stylus requires more attention. And as a result, you’re more likely to appreciate the music more. For those just starting out, building your own hi-fi system can be intimidating — we’re here to help.
Most entry-level hi-fi systems require more than just a turntable and a pair of speakers. In the past, most turntables needed a separate component, a phono preamp (or phono stage), to amplify the turntable’s normally weak signal. “Integrated turntables” or “all-in-one turntables” come with this equipment inside, so all you need are speakers to go with it.
There are trade-offs. Having multiple components in tight spaces risks adding extra noise and vibrations to the system, keeping all-in-ones from reaching the true pinnacle of quality that hardcore audiophiles tend to crave. Integrated preamps can also limit your ability to upgrade your system with aftermarket parts down the road unless your turntables explicitly support external preamps.
That said, the trade-offs are more than worth it for folks who are just getting into vinyl, so here are the best all-in-ones to help you start your journey.
Integrated or ‘All-in-One’ Turntables — Is There a Difference?
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol
For the sake of this article, we’re using the terms “integrated turntables” and “all-in-one turntables” interchangeably — both refer to turntables with a built-in preamp. This eliminates the need to buy an external phono preamp and thus simplifies your system. However, it’s important to note that you’ll still need to two additional components to get your turntable system up and working: speakers and an amplifier.
If you have a turntable with a built-in preamp and are looking to complete the system, you basically have two options. You can get a pair of passive bookshelf speakers and an integrated amplifier. Or, if you’re looking for a simpler solution, you could also get a powered speaker (like the Sonos Five) or a pair of powered speakers (like the Audioengine A2+), which combine the speaker and amplifier in one component.
We are not referring to true all-in-one turntables that have all the components (including the speakers, amplifier, and preamp) because those tend to be cheap and not very good. When all the components are squeezed into one turntable, they vibrate each other, leading to distortion.
Today, with the popularity of vinyl skyrocketing, a turntable with a built-in preamp is seen as a starter kit for those getting into hi-fi and vinyl. They make listening to vinyl easier, but they also are pretty high-quality turntables.
How We Tested
Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol
TheGear Patrolstaff includes a bounty of audiophiles with their own turntables who are more than happy to discuss what they like and dislike about them. We’ve interacted, played with and experimented on vinyl record players of all shapes and sizes over the years, and now we’re sharing our hard-earned expertise with you.
To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.
A Great All-Around Integrated Turntable
Amazon
Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB
Specs
Turntable
Belt-drive
Automatic or Manual
Manual
Switchable Preamp
Yes
Pros
Striking and minimalist design
Switchable preamp
Comes with a high-quality OM 5E MM cartridge
Cons
A touch on the expensive side
No button for switching speeds
$449.00 at Amazon
$499.00(10% off)
The Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB is one of the company’s newest mid-range turntables. It’s not quite as “audiophile-grade” as the Essential III (which Pro-Ject is phasing out), as the T1 has a lighter overall design (by about three pounds), a slightly lesser cartridge and fewer anti-vibration features.
But the T1 separates itself by having a more striking design — thanks to a tempered glass platter — and a more affordable price tag. It’s a great option for people with a Sonos speaker with a line-in connection (like a Five or Play:5) who want to start playing vinyl.
(Note: The T1 can be purchased with or without a phono preamp, or with a Bluetooth transmitter.)
Our Favorite Integrated Turntable Under $300
Amazon
Fluance RT81
Specs
Turntable
Belt-drive
Automatic or Manual
Manual
Switchable Preamp
Yes
Pros
Distinct old-school vibe
Quite affordable
Comes with a good Audio Tecnica AT95E cartridge
Cons
Lacks the sleek design of modern turntables
$249.99 at Amazon
Fluance has always specialized in home theater systems and hi-fi speakers, but it wasn’t until 2016 that the Canadian-based audio company got into turntables when they introduced the Fluance RT81 and RT80.
The RT81 is an upgraded version of the RT80. It has the same built-in preamp (which can be switched on or off) but includes a rubber mat, a solid-body plinth, and an Audio Technica AT95 cartridge.
Best Upgrade Integrated Turntable
Rega
Rega Planar 1 Plus
Specs
Turntable
Belt-drive
Automatic or Manual
Manual
Switchable Preamp
Yes
Pros
Superb sound quality
Striking design and build quality
Comes with an excellent Carbon MM cartridge
Cons
It's going to cost you
$725.00 at Amazon
Rega is a well-loved British audio company that has been making audiophile-approved turntables for over 40 years, and the Planar series of turntables are considered a benchmark for affordable high-end design.
The Planar 1 Plus includes a Rega Carbon cartridge, an internal phono pre-amplifier based on their excellent FONO stage and RB-110 tonearm. It’s one of the best-integrated turntables you can buy for under $1,000.
Most Customizable Integrated Turntable
Orbit
U-Turn Audio Orbit Plus
Specs
Turntable
Belt-drive
Automatic or Manual
Manual
Switchable Preamp
Yes
Pros
Gorgeous and striking design
Lots of color options
Easily upgradable
Comes with a Ortofon OM5E Cartridge
Cons
Design might not be for everybody
No button for switching speeds
$329.00 at audioadvice.com
U-Turn is one of our favorite American hi-fi companies that makes beautiful handmade turntables in Massachusetts. The Orbit Plus is the company’s mid-tier turntable that comes with a striking transparent platter, precision OA2 gimbal tonearm and an Ortofon OM5E cartridge.
One of the best things about the Orbit Plus is that it’s available in quite a few fun colors — seven, in fact, including violet and bright green — so you have more input in the look of your turntable. It also can be configured with or without a preamp.
A Budget-Friendly Integrated Turntable
Audio-Technica
Audio-Technica AT-LP60X
Specs
Turntable
Belt-drive
Automatic or Manual
Automatic
Switchable preamp
Yes
Pros
One of the more affordable integrated turntables out there
Easy to use and upgrade
Cons
Automatic turntables might not be for you
Lightweight design isn't the best for sound quality
$149.00 at audio-technica.com
The Audio-Technica AT-LP60X is the company’s most affordable entry-level turntable. It’s an automatic turntable, so you don’t have to worry about placing the stylus (which you may or may not like). And it comes with a switchable preamp and a replaceable stylus, so you can upgrade it down the road.
The AT-LP60X lacks USB and Bluetooth connections, so it’s a fairly dimensional option. It also has a lightweight and aluminum design and isn’t going to soak up vibrations like more expensive options. That said, this is a solid option if you’re getting into vinyl and want a cool-looking turntable that doesn’t cost a lot.
A High-End Turntable for Streaming
Amazon
Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2
Specs
Turntable
Direct-drive
Automatic or Manual
Manual
Switchable Preamp
Yes
Pros
A true hi-fi turntable fit for the modern age
Supports high-resolution streaming over Bluetooth
Simply gorgeous
Cons
One of the most expensive turntables on this list
$1,999.00 at Amazon
The second-generation version — aka “V2” — of Cambridge Audio’s Alva TT is even more of a high-end turntable than its predecessor. It’s still a direct-drive turntable that combines a mostly aluminum build and premium components, but it’s been upgraded in a few key ways. It has an improved tonearm that comes with a detachable headshell, which allows you to upgrade to a nicer phono cartridge later on if you choose to. It also now comes with a switchable phono stage which, again, gives you the option to upgrade later down the road.
The key thing with the Alva TT V2 is that, like the original Alva TT, it supports both analog and wireless streaming. It’s one of the few high-end turntables that supports high-resolution streaming (up to 24-bit/48kHz) over Bluetooth, meaning you can stream your vinyl to a compatible amp, wireless speaker or wireless headphones.
An Integrated Turntable with an Iconic Design
Technics
Technics SL-1500C
Specs
Turntable
Direct-drive
Automatic or Manual
Semi-automatic
Switchable preamp
Yes
Pros
Iconic design with retro flair
Excellent sound quality
Electronic speed control
Cons
It's one of the most expensive options
$1,299.95 at crutchfield.com
The Technics SL-1500c is an audiophile-grade turntable that feels like a bargain. It shares a style similar to the company’s much-loved SL-1200 line, headlined by its direct-drive design, die-cast aluminum platter, and signature S-shaped tonearm. It comes with a built-in phono preamp and comes decked out with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge.
The SL-1500c is a semi-automatic turntable, meaning it’ll automatically turn off when the stylus gets to the end of the record, but you’ll have to manually place the tonearm back when you’re done.
An Integrated Turntable for Sonos Speaker Owners
Amazon
Victrola Stream Carbon
Specs
Turntable
Belt-drive
Automatic or Manual
Semi-automatic
Switchable Preamp
No
Pros
Makes it really easy to listen to vinyl on any Sonos speakers you already have
Striking and modern design.
Volume knob adjusts volume of entire group of Sonos speakers
Cons
Turntable isn't discoverable in the Sonos app
Components aren't really upgradable
Not cheap
$799.99 at Amazon
The Victrola Stream Carbon is a unique turntable because it’s meant to be integrated into an existing Sonos speaker system. It’s the first turntable that can wirelessly stream vinyl to Sonos speakers without any extra components like an amp. You have to group it with your existing Sonos speakers in the Victrola app, and then every time you play a record, it will automatically stream on your Sonos speakers.
The only downside is that the Stream Carbon requires you to use Victrola’s app rather than being natively discoverable in the Sonos app — so setting it up isn’t quite as straightforward as setting up a new Sonos speaker. As for the turntable itself, it’s a semi-automatic belt-driven turntable that has a striking mostly-metal design and a large illuminated knob for adjusting volume.
A USB Integrated Turntable
Audio-Technica
Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB
Specs
Turntable
Direct-drive
Automatic or Manual
Manual
Switchable Preamp
Yes
Pros
Very distinct design
Feature packed and comes with built-in Bluetooth
Cons
Design won't be for everybody
Direct-drive isn't the best for sound quality
$399.00 at audio-technica.com
First things first: this is a USB turntable, meaning you can play and record records at the same time, which is a great way to turn your vinyl into digital music files, so you can listen to them without a turntable or record nearby.
More importantly, the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB has a built-in phono preamp, so all you need is some passive or powered bookshelf speakers to hook up to it. The kicker is that, well, it’s just a really cool-looking turntable.
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Related Topics
Buying Guides, Tech Buying Guides, Vinyl
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Audio Technica. While both turntables have blue-tooth connection, the speaker quality of the Audio Technica seems significantly better and smoother according to reviews. The tonearm from Audio Technica is balanced, while the one from Victrola is light and flimsy.
To put it simply, all record players have turntables, but not all turntables are record players. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, we can start to explain a little more in-depth. A turntable is the revolving platter on which the vinyl record is placed.
Neither came close to the quality of the speakers featured in our best bookshelf speakers guide, but the Victrola had a much flatter response than the Crosley. The Victrola showed a reasonably flat response over an audio range from about 80 Hz to 15 kHz, versus about 180 Hz to 5.8 kHz for the Crosley.
Victor Talking Machine. Introduced in 1906 by the Victor Talking Machine Company, this turntable became an iconic symbol of the early 20th century American music industry. It used a spring-driven motor to rotate a flat disc, and its signature “His Master's Voice” logo became an enduring symbol of high-quality audio.
Thorens is one of the oldest and most revered turntable manufacturers, with a history that dates back to the late 19th century, and the Swiss hi-fi company (now relocated to Germany) continues to make turntables today. The Thorens TD-125 MK II is one of its most iconic models.
As digital kit cannot read analogue soundwaves, they are translated into a digital signal and back into analogue again, meaning some information is lost or approximated in the process. With vinyl, every single part of the analogue wave is captured in those grooves, making it the only true lossless format.
Audio-Technica produces headphones that have a good price-to-performance ratio. They're usually a more affordable option for audiophiles, especially if you want something to wear while DJing or for studio use.
If a new vinyl collector is serious about actually using their record player, Crosley Cruisers are a waste of the few dozen dollars they cost. That's not the only downside of Crosley's built-in speakers. A major part of vinyl's attraction is its warm, layered sound.
The Sony also feel better-built than the Audio Technica and their sound profile can easily be EQ'ed inside their app, which the Audio Technica don't have. You'll also get more battery life out of the Sony.
Within the realm of vinyl records, the terms "turntable" and "record player" often emerge, and while they may seem synonymous, these two audio devices possess distinct characteristics.
Good turntables have isolated motors with electronic speed control. Best turntables have completely seperated motor units. The bearing must guide the cartridge in the groove.
Higher quality turntables will have better cartridges & stylus as well as better quality pre-amplifiers which all contributes to overall sound quality.
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