5 Best Turntables Under $2000 – 2024 Elite Picks Reviewed

Struggling with finding a high-quality turntable that fits within a $2000 budget?

In this blog, we unveil the top turntables under $2000 for audiophiles and vinyl enthusiasts, from feature-rich models for those seeking a premium listening experience to versatile options for both digital and analog lovers, including a range of turntables that balance sound quality with stylish design.

With our 25 years of dedication to sound excellence and music playback technology, we’ve supported numerous music lovers, from budding vinyl collectors to seasoned DJs, in discovering the perfect turntable for their auditory preferences. Our meticulous real-world testing highlights the best turntables in this price bracket. These are not just record players; they are finely tuned instruments that elevate the vinyl listening experience. We’ve evaluated them in various settings, focusing on sound fidelity, build quality, and ease of use, and found them to be exceptional in providing a rich, detailed audio landscape, making them ideal for anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the pure joy of vinyl music within a reasonable budget.

List of Best Turntables Under $2000 In 2024

Clearaudio Concept

So the Clearaudio Concept is a couple of hundred dollars short of 2000 ($1800 on Amazon) so it is one of the higher-priced ones on the market right now, but you can’t put a price tag on quality. The Clearaudio Concept comes with a belt drive system that is equipped with a synchronous motor, in addition to a pre-mounted MM cartridge. The heavy-duty aluminum is comprised of TPE technology for superior resonance damping and sturdiness with the advanced silver cartridges (mentioned above) and spools.

What We Like

  • The sound from this particular turntable is pretty clear and it is fairly easy to set up for your various preferences.
    It is also incredibly sturdy and resilient so it is definitely a turntable you can expect to have around for a while.

What We Don’t Like

  • If you decide to purchase this particular turntable, be sure to place it on a very sturdy surface, or the tonearm will pick up vibrations from whatever surface it’s on if it’s not sturdy enough.

Audio Technica AT-LP1240-USB

The Audio Technica is actually under $500 on on on Amazon so it may definitely be in the price range for some. The Audio Technica carefully identifies and addresses each variable that undermines the pure signal retrieval of the turntable and, as a result, there is an elegant and cost-effective solution of the highest quality. The Audio Technica is hand-crafted in the USA by one of the world’s leading turntable manufacturers and achieves an unmatched level of neutrality. There is a unique platter design that is responsible for a high level of quality sound, in addition to being able to further neutralize the resonant LP, which is an energy damping interface mat.

What We Like

  • This particular turntable has a USB output that connects directly to your computer, which is pretty awesome, not to mention a high-torque multi-pole motor if you are looking to do some serious DJing.
  • The price of the Technica is also another added bonus, especially for the quality!

What We Don’t Like

  • The only real negative with this turntable is that the platter that comes with the Technica is incredibly wobbly, which can become a huge inconvenience, especially if you have to return the turntable.
  • There also needs to be better instructions included in regards to setting up the cartridge.

Pro-Ject – X2 (Satin Walnut)

The Project 6 Perspex is right at the $2,000 mark on Amazon and is made of acrylic plinth. It is also acoustically designed as an inert sandwich construction of a platter with a combination of MDF and a vinyl layer as the mat. There is a pre-mounted 9” tonearm with 99 CC evolutions and a 5P connect-it phono cable with RCA plugs. Purchasers can also expect a Sumiko Blue Point Special EVO III cartridge to be included, which is an added bonus.

What We Like

  • The Project 6 Perspex is incredibly easy to set up and the manufacturer does offer a 4- and 3-year protection plan, but be ready to come out with another $100+ for that option.
  • There is, however, technical support available, so that is definitely a bonus.
  • The sound that the ProJect offers is also amazing and it is a perfect fit for those who are new to the world of vinyl and for those who are veterans.

What We Don’t Like

  • The Sumiko cartridge that comes with this turntable stopped working after a couple of months, which is a huge bummer.

Rega RP6 Turntable with RB303 Tonearm

The Rega RP6 is about $2000 on Amazon and is a well-crafted, fully automatic turntable with a sleek, gloss-back design. The RP6 has been designed and engineered to achieve outstanding performance way beyond the expectations of a product at this price point. Excellent build quality, reliability, and ease of use combine to make a product that, if used correctly, will offer you a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Omitting unnecessary gimmicks allows us to concentrate the manufacturing costs on the high-quality parts necessary to reproduce music accurately.

The RP6 is amazingly fitted with a hand-assembled RB303 tonearm, precision main bearing, and a low-vibration, low-noise 24V motor assembly that is individually hand-tuned to its circuit to further reduce vibration. The minimalist design of the Rega RP6 and the use of extremely high-quality components ensure that your turntable should last for many years.

What We Like

  • The instructions for assembly are extremely clear and straightforward—very easy to understand!
  • No matter what kind of music you decide to listen to, you will for sure get the sound and clarity that you are looking for!

What We Don’t Like

  • This is one of the priciest turntables on the market, but the quality that it offers is definitely worth it!


Pro-Ject – Debut Carbon Esprit SB (Black)

The PROJECT Xtension 10 Turntable SuperPack will cost you roughly $3,999 or so and comes equipped with a low-resonance, high-density acrylic chassis and platter. The belt drive system is made of endless silicon, in addition to an aluminum straight-type tonearm. It also has an industry-leading torque motor (up to 4.5 kgf/cm), in addition to an ultra-stable platter and floating motor mount construction.

What We Like

  • This is definitely a solidly made turntable and the sound is awesome! You are definitely guaranteed to get professional quality with this one.

What We Don’t Like

  • This is not a turntable that you want to use if you are into scratching and getting festive with the turntable.
  • This particular turntable is more suitable for those who just want to listen to some good old records and relax.
  • The belt system can also be a little frustrating at times because it tends to pop off as soon as the motor is turned off.


FAQs: Best Turntables for Under $2000

What additional equipment will I need?

The answer to this primarily depends on how active you plan to be with the turntable; if you just want something to enjoy those records on, then a simple table will probably be enough for you. However, if you are heavily into DJing, you will want to invest in other equipment, which will naturally cost you more.

Are there any turntables that are Bluetooth compatible or can be hooked up to my PC?

Keep in mind that these will probably be more expensive than the traditional turntables that aren’t compatible with Bluetooth or a PC.

Conclusion

All in all, the audiophile turntables reviewed here are pretty amazing; it just depends on how much you are looking to spend and what your musical needs are.

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David Grik, a celebrated turntable expert and audio reviewer, brings over 15 years of experience in sound engineering and vinyl technology. An MIT alum, his insights and reviews guide enthusiasts in the world of high-quality audio. You can learn more on the About Us page.

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