Top products from r/turntables

Pass on the Audioengine A2+, they are small 2.75" mid bass driver computer size speakers OK for listening at a desk or a small room at the most.

Kanto YU4 are 4", ok for a small room. The larger 5" YU6 would be better with a bit more bass.

Fluance Ai60 are 6.5" and good for most rooms and a good buy at the $240 sale price tomorrow.

I prefer and recommend passive speakers with an amp or receive and you can later upgrade one part at a time. You can often also easily find a used stereo or AV receiver and a used pair of bookshelf speakers. Or buy one part used and the other part new. With an AV receiver if you are also using the speakers with a TV you can later add a center speakers for better movie and TV dialog and side speakers

Many receivers will also have a basic built in phono preamp via the phono input so you won't need to by an external phono amp. You can upgrade to a better external one such as the Schiit Mani later.

Stereo receiver: ONKYO TX-8220 $299.99 $129.99. Built in phono preamp.

AV receiver: DENON AVR-S740H 7.2-Ch $249. Built in phono preamp. 4K HDMI switching. High pass crossover for your speakers. Audyssey MultEQ room correction speaker setup with included microphone.

Speakers:

• Best value on sale: 5.25" Infinity Reference 152 $139 or 6.5" Infinity Reference 162 $175.
  
• 5.25" Wavecrest Audio HVL-1, and order on sale at Ascend $80 each + shipping, "budget/baby Ascends" from the same speaker designer. Neutral sound with a linear frequency response. Best mids under $200 which many speakers in the price range lack. As with most bookshelf speakers, best with a subwoofer.
  
• Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 Black or Rosewood $175.
  
• 4" Pioneer SP-BS22-LR $99.
  
• Low budget starter speakers: Dayton Audio B652-AIR 6-1/2" with AMT Tweeter $46.
  
  DIY Kit: Add around $50/75+ for tools and supplies if you don't have them. Kit includes pre-cut cabinets. Glue, clamp, solder, paint, assemble. Comparable to built speakers costing two to three times as much.
  
  
• 5" C-Notes $100. A good low end for their size.
  
  Speaker wire: Pure Copper Oxygen Free 14 Gauge Speaker Wire 50 ft, then 4 Ways to Strip Wire - wikiHow. Optionally add banana plugs. With banana plugs AmazonBasics buy 2 for a pair.
  
  Speaker Stands: Low budget Dayton Audio SSMB24 or Monoprice Glass. Sturdy 4 column Pangea Audio DS400 Heavy Duty Speaker Stands or 3 column Pangea Audio LS300 All Steel Speaker Stands can both be filled with lead shot, sand or kitty litter.
  
  Speaker Positioning: How to position your speakers for great sound and Speaker Placement for Stereo Music Listening.
  
  Home Audio Guides: Intro to home stereo systems • What is a Phono Preamp? | Audio Advice • Introduction to Audio Components • Zeos Tutorials, Diagrams and Videos • r/audiophile Guide to Home Audio • AverageJoeAudiophile's Guides
  
  Home Theater Guides as well as 2 channel music: r/HTBuyingGuides FAQ • How to Set Up a Basic Home Theater System - Lifewire • How to Set Up Your Home Theater Receiver • Speaker Placement for Home Theater • TV vertically centered at eye level while seated • r/hometheater

I picked up a used Technics 1210 for less than the Rega in the end but that was in Japan where they're cheap, still, a decent condition vintage table for the same price of a new Rega would almost certainly be much better sound and build quality wise.

If you can find an affordable used vintage table, especially,1210 or 1200 then go for it IMO, maybe check Craigslist or local classifieds to see what's about, then search the sub for info on any specific table.

Also instead of your amp choice, I'd go for something like this, with a phono port etc : https://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8020-channel-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B00EE18O7W

A good place to post and search also is /r/budgetaudiophile

Ironically that's what I ordered shortly after posting, but I was still hoping someone would know of one with a signal sensing feature. For the money it seems like the best one around at like $33 for their basic model (https://www.amazon.com/ART-Audio-DJPRE-Turntable-Preamplifier/dp/B000AJR482/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493409453&sr=8-1&keywords=art+phono+preamp)

I honestly don't know anything with built in speakers that is worth your money. The reason being separate components will give you better room for upgrade and are more future proof (the more stuff crammed into a single device the higher is the probability of you running into a problem).

With this budget I recommend you get an entry-level Audio Technica AT-LP60: Amazon link and use the 50 remaining bucks on a reliable pair of computer speakers, like these Logitech. You can also hit a thrift store or your city's craigslist and see if you can find something in good condition for less.

This TT has a built in phono stage meaning that you can connect it directly to powered speakers. That should get you going.

For $250 new I would try the Fluance RT81 if you want something plug-and-play. External speakers are always the better option since internal speakers can cause vibration feedback in the turntable, and they'll generally just sound a lot better. Bluetooth isn't a big deal.

However going vintage is always better bang for your buck. Decent 70s/80s turntables can be had $100 or less, a decent cartridge for under $50, and a receiver for under $50, cheap speakers. Like this:

Pioneer PL-950, $92 - https://www.ebay.com/itm/PIONEER-PL-950-TURNTABLE-RECORD-PLAYER-QUARTZ-DIRECT-DRIVE-FULL-AUTOMATIC/254192057588

Audio Technica VM95e, $50 - https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-VM95E-Moving-Turntable-Cartridge/dp/B07JXD79Q1

Fisher CA-39 Receiver, $47 - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fisher-Integrated-Stereo-Amplifier-Ca-39-with-Equalizer-Tested-Working/163628509801

Dayton B652 Bookshelf Speakers, $39 - https://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-B652-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B002RMPHMU

Total - $228

Performance will beat any new unit currently being sold for the price.

All of these things get cheaper to procure if you hunt them down at garage sales and thrift stores.

Ah more nonsense downvotes, gotta love Reddit. It'll never make sense how informative posts like mine and /u/sharkamino's get downvoted yet the top comments are ones that say "Keep your Crosley" and "buy a crappy 1byone TT"

A good entry level turntable I will recommend is the Audio-Technica LP-120. Audio-Technica is a pretty reliable brand. They also have an LP-60, which is pretty much a cheaper version of this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120XUSB-Direct-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Skate/dp/B07N3S4X3P/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=52818231741&gclid=CjwKCAiA8ejuBRAaEiwAn-iJ3uwDxp1k_rxKp_fkli7YmLjEYSQB1Fxr1TpOhIVOWrR1anoPe-W4rhoCtMQQAvD_BwE&hvadid=274712880629&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9005623&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10355834353183632556&hvtargid=kwd-304208790892&hydadcr=20547_9663488&keywords=audio-technica+lp120&qid=1574603497&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFHTzQ2QlJHRkFTQkEmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTEwMDg5MTYzSVY2MjNLOFhHM0lMJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4OTk5MjYxOTVVSlc0OUo4NkJWJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

ok, so you can't be more specific about the models, etc.? if it's easier.. grab yourself a preamp and you can use any of the 3 (best shape... like the look the best, etc. etc.).

i've used and recommend this model:

https://www.amazon.com/ART-DJPREII-Audio-Turntable-Preamplifier/dp/B000AJR482/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1539625078&sr=8-5&keywords=preamp&dpID=41lYvmMX6eL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

If you don't have a phono input on your receiver and need a cheapish pre amp this was referred to me by this sub and it was a world of difference from $25 pre amp I was using.

Edit: Your receiver doesn't have a phono input. From my understanding, someone please help here, you need the amp or in this case a pre amp to boost the volume.

Art DJPre II

Pyramid 12v DC power supply

This combo was recommended to me a while back. I am quite happy and probably won't upgrade until I'm ready to drop $1k on a preamp.

• Best cheapie gets the job done well.
  
  
• My favorite semi-cheapie. I personally won't spend more than this on a moving magnet cartridge phono preamp, but your mileage may vary.
  
  I must say you have picked a very nice cartridge for your setup. Cartridges and speakers are where money spent can be most obviously heard.

How do you tell if the speaker is passive or Powered? Mine are passive from what you've told me, but i'm curious how to identify this in the future.

Should i buy two sets of Crutchfields and one RCA Audio Subwoofer Cable - 15 feet?

I am now a member of r/BudgetAudiophile

Thanks. I bought a cheap one just to test that theory. I'll upgrade if all pans out.

Tried multiple cables, usually the ones that shipped with the decks.

Shout out to uturn who offered lots of help and new cables to get things working before I tapped out.

Another popular choice. Edifier R1280T Powered Bookshelf Speakers [amazon](edifier r1280t powered bookshelf speakers - 2.0 active near field monitors - studio monitor speaker - wooden enclosure - 42 watts rms https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016P9HJIA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xwh4Db944W3R6)

I would say that this amp together with this Kef or this Klipsch would probably make you happy and get you a lot of bang for your bucks.

Edit: Sorry! I saw that I went over your budget by a little bit, but it's only about 10% more, and it probably would be worth it.

The AT-LP2D is an older version of the AT-LP60, a newer version of which you can buy new for $89: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N3X7KPX So, I don't think $60 for a two-generations-older used one is that great of a deal.

https://www.amazon.com/Lepai-LP-2020TI-Instruments-TPA3118-Amplifier/dp/B071FJF4FF/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=lepai&qid=1557851029&s=gateway&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-B652-AIR-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B00NOA58RS/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=dayton+audio&qid=1557851046&s=gateway&sr=8-5


Get that amp and speakers if he doesnt have those things. All three is like $180 and then ya just need some cables.

You will need a phono preamp, if your turntable doesn't have one built in. You can tell by looking at the rear, it should have a switch near the rca output if I am not mistaken.

Check out something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-Audio-Phono-preamp-output/dp/B007DB5I60/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?crid=1I5IIYOM2A9N3&keywords=phono+preamp+for+turntable&qid=1556188605&s=gateway&sprefix=Phino+pre&sr=8-12

Depends on your budget for a preamp.

This gets high marks from many

https://www.amazon.com/ART-Audio-DJPRE-Turntable-Preamplifier/dp/B000AJR482

and another

https://www.turntablelab.com/products/bellari-vp-130-tube-phono-preamp

You could probably get one of these since I doubt your laptop has AV inputs on it. Use Audacity or Adobe Audition to capture. I can't see why it wouldn't work. Great TT, btw!