The Best Record Player Under 1000 Dollars: A Review Guide

Record players are available at almost any price point, but the connoisseurs know that with a higher price comes higher quality.

If you’re willing to spend more than a few hundred dollars on a record player, you’re all but guaranteed to find a device that will play an amazing sound that’s far and away from what you’ll see on the lower end.

Read on to learn more about the best record player under 1000 dollars. My favorite is the Fluance High Fidelity player because it comes with the elegant sound of the Ortofon 2M Blue elliptical cartridge! Check it out at Amazon.

The Top 5 Record Players Under $1000

In this article, we cover the 5 best record players that cost less than $1000. You can get them on Amazon right now by clicking the provided links.

To save you time from searching high and low for quality players, check out our top picks here:

Best Overall Record Player

This record player takes the first place trophy in terms of value, features, and price. Every dollar you spend on this player is well worth it, and it will only deliver the finest performances. If you want the best choice, you’ll find it hard to resist.

1. Fluance High Fidelity 

Fluance RT85 Reference Turntable

• SPECTACULAR MUSICAL ACCURACY - Immerse yourself in the detailed high resolution sound of the Ortofon 2M Blue elliptical cartridge delivering improved linearity, higher channel separation and reduced distortion
• SPEED CONTROL FOR PRECISION PLAYBACK - The isolated motor prevents unwanted vibrations and noise while the speed control mechanism ensures consistent platter velocity (0.07% Wow/Flutter)
• SOLID WOOD PLINTH - Revel in the gorgeous solid wood cabinet and adjustable resonance damping feet, ensuring superior isolation from unwanted micro-vibrations (Note: phono preamp not includ

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The maker of the best player on our list is Fluance. With the best features and a very attractive price, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better one. When your record starts spinning, all you’ll hear is the pure and undiluted sound of analog audio.

There is nothing digital about this record player, as all it needs to do is play your favorite records. The sound quality is amazingly pure, with little added noise or extra sound. Almost all the sounds you hear are from the record alone.

With the help of an Ortofon 2M Blue elliptical cartridge, you will only hear a warm, pure, and elegant sound. This little piece of plastic might not look like much, but it’s the backbone of this record player’s beautiful sound profile. With this cartridge, the sound is positively affected.

The elliptical cartridge adds some resolution and dynamics to the signal, allowing for a detailed soundscape. It does this without adding any coloration to the sound, as purists prefer to hear as pure a sound as possible. By maintaining a flat frequency response, the sound is as clean as it can be.

Connecting the player to external speakers is required. With the gold-plated RCA outputs, the signal is very clean, and there is no compression or coloration. From the tip to the output, everything is optimized for the purest of tones.

The acrylic platter is heavy and dense, reducing undesirable vibrations and keeping them away from the record. It also spins constantly to prevent any skipping. As acrylic and vinyl are resonant, the platter will cancel out any extra reverberations to provide a clean soundscape, improved low end, rich mid-range, and a pure signal.

The motor used to drive the turntable is precisely tuned and built. It also reduces vibrations and prevents them from reaching the stylus. With a precise motor decoupled from the plinth, you get a signal without any rumbling.

What makes the motor special is that it constantly measures variances in velocity within a few hundredths of a percent. With this constant self-correction, the flow and flutter is only 0.07%. You won’t have to worry about the record playing at inconsistent speeds with this motor.

Made of wood, the main chassis has tonal purity down to a science, reducing traveling vibrations. There are also three rubber isolation feet to minimize contact of the turntable with the environment. Without these, there would not be full and rich bass frequencies.

Fluance only uses the best materials to construct this record player to deliver the best performance for you. Any audiophile will appreciate the premium build quality without spending more than $1000. With this record at home, all you will hear is the unadulterated music from your favorite albums.

Specifications

• Package Dimensions: 13.75 x 16.5 x 5.5 inches
• Total Weight: 16.76 pounds
• Frequency Response: 20-20000 hertz
• Speed: 33.3 and 45 revolutions per minute
• Channel Separation: 20 decibels at 1 kilohertz
• Channel Balance: 2.0 decibels or less at 1 kilohertz
• Load Impedance/Capacitance: 47k Ohms/100 power factor
• Included Parts: 1+

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Stylish look
• Pure sound signal
• Premium build quality

Cons:

• No built-in preamp
• Some examples have a weak belt

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Best Budget Record Player

If you’re not quite willing to drop close to $1000, you can still get yourself an excellent record player. It may not be as good as the best, but it’s still well worth your hard-earned money. If this sounds like you, then you’ll like this player!

2. Fluance Elite 

Also made by Fluance, this RT81 record player is similar in build quality even with the lower price. All the features it has are geared toward playing high-fidelity audio. At such a low price, it’s hard to find any other product that can beat it, let alone match it.

Like the RT85, the RT81 is focused on creating a pure analog audio treat for your ears. There is nothing digital in it, and it will never be an option. Analog audio is naturally warmer and richer when compared to digital so that you won’t hear any digital harshness.

Instead of the Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, the RT81 has an Audio Technica AT95E cartridge. The elliptical-tipped stylus is made of diamond for a precise and accurate reproduction of the sounds pressed into the vinyl. The stylus is upgraded from older models and has a reputation for crystal clear, balanced, and pure audio.

With only 2.0 grams of tracking force, it’s almost a miracle the turntable is reading the grooves of your record.

The RT81 has an S-Type tonearm, which is balanced with a counterweight. The tonearm has bearings inside that move fluidly and works with the anti-skating system to prevent any scratching. It gently touches your record, so you can rest assured that you can listen to these albums and singles for years to come.

To help with powering speakers, this record player has a preamp built into it. It’s strong enough to power most high-fidelity speakers but can also be used when your normal amp isn’t strong enough. The preamp is made by Texas Instruments, known for its high-quality electronics.

The ground terminal and gold-plated RCA output are made by Texas Instruments as well. This shows that Fluance truly cares about delivering the best audio experience possible.

To reduce vibrations, the chassis is made of wood that prevents them from traveling to the stylus.

Fluance built this player with sound isolation feet, an aluminum platter, and a rubber mat for unwanted reverberation. Instead of hearing unwanted reverb, you’ll get to hear sounds exactly how the artists played and intend to be heard.

The RT81 will accept records that spin at 33.3 and 45 revolutions per minute. If you have records that play at 78 revolutions per minute, they won’t be supported. Fortunately, they are less common than the other two types.

For a record player with a low price like this, it’s a worthy investment, as you get more than your money’s worth. Some players aren’t even as decked out as this one is, and they cost a lot more. This is why it wins the best budget placing.

Specifications

• Package Dimensions: 13.75 x 16.5 x 5.5 inches
• Total Weight: 14.1 pounds
• Frequency Response: 20-20000 hertz
• Speed: 33.3 and 45 revolutions per minute
• Channel Separation: 20 decibels at 1 kilohertz
• Channel Balance: 2.0 decibels or less at 1 kilohertz
• Load Impedance/Capacitance: 47k Ohms/100 power factor
• Included Parts: 1+

Pros:

• Affordable
• Very well made
• Clear sound
• Built-in preamp

Cons:

• Rotation speed might fluctuate.
• Revolutions per minute adjustment is inconvenient

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Best Runner-Up Record Player

This record player is the cheapest on our list, but it didn’t manage to win the best budget award. This is because the Fluance RT81 outclasses it by a large margin. However, if you prefer a player that won’t break the bank, this one might be for you.

3. Victrola Pro Series

Made by Victrola, this record player is priced at a fraction of some of our other players. Even if this is the case, it’s still a reliable and solid product you can rely on. It does everything a record player should be able to do and then some more.

This player has a transparent cover like the others, which allows you to keep the working parts as clean as possible. It will save you some time cleaning the delicate parts, but you still need to wipe the dust and debris away periodically. A bonus is that you can play the record with the cover closed.

With the help of the metal tonearm and high-quality diamond stylus, this record player can play your favorite albums and singles with accurate sound reproduction. The diamond-tipped stylus is precise and helps maintain a clear sound signature. The tonearm also has a counterweight to prevent scratching on the records.

While it’s not up to the Fluance cartridges and stylus standards, this tip is more than enough for a record player price this low.

It would be best to connect some speakers via the RCA output jack, as there is no built-in speaker as with many models like this. It is also possible to connect this to an amp for extra juice in your signal. This way, you don’t need to worry about a weak output.

If you don’t want to use an external amp, you can also use the built-in preamp. It has a switch that turns it on or off, depending on your choice. By combining the preamp with another amp, you can output an even stronger signal to your speakers.

If you’re not fond of wired speakers and want to avoid the clutter, you can connect a Bluetooth speaker to the player. It might not be as high fidelity as a wired setup, but it’s much more convenient and available. Most portable Bluetooth speakers will work with the player.

Recording your favorite vinyl records as MP3 files is also possible with this record player. All you need is the included USB cable and a computer. In the package is also software that helps make the recording process very straightforward.

The recording function is a great way to preserve your wonderfully pressed records for the future when they inevitably degrade.

An aluminum platter is fitted to the turntable to reduce vibrations, and you can also adjust the anti-skating feature.

On the right side of the record player is a slider to adjust pitch, and it can be locked by the quartz lock button right below.

Even though this record player is priced this low, it has some features that make it well worth the price.

Specifications

• Package Dimensions: 17.3 x 5.6 x 14.4 inches
• Total Weight: 9 pounds
• Frequency Response: Not given
• Speed: 33.3 and 45 revolutions per minute
• Channel Separation: Not given
• Channel Balance: Not given
• Load Impedance/Capacitance: Not given
• Included Parts: 1+

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Clear sound
• Built-in preamp
• Recording feature
• Bluetooth function

Cons:

• Bluetooth might be unreliable.
• The counterweight isn’t the best example

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Best Record Player Under $700

If you want to get the best record player priced under $700, we have the right selection for you. It may be a bit heavier, but it’s built for DJs who want to withstand the rowdy crowds. It also has a variety of features you’ll find on premium players.

4. Pioneer DJ Direct Drive

Pioneer DJ designed and built this record player with DJs in mind. As they work in clubs with rowdy partygoers, this player was designed to last through rough handling. The weight and mass are particularly effective for reducing vibrations.

With 50 years of designing turntables for high-end clients, Pioneer DJ has more than enough experience to engineer a product that is built like a tank.

The direct drive has high torque, and it can reach 33.3 revolutions per minute in just 0.3 seconds. The starting torque of 4.5 kilograms per centimeter contributes to this. Compared to older designs which take a while to spin up, you can instantly play your records at full speed without much of a delay.

This record player’s chassis is made of die-cast zinc, and the entire player weighs 31.5 pounds or 14.6 kilograms. This is twice the weight of the other players we just talked about. With all this heavy mass, you can expect this player to withstand a lot of abuse.

The extra mass reduces vibrations and preserves tonal clarity. However, there is more vibration reduction inside. The lower part has 8 millimeters of thick resin and another 9 millimeters of vibration-reducing material. The rubber feet also reduce the amount of environmental vibration, contributing to a pure sound with no interference.

There are also springs and more rubber to absorb as many vibrations as possible. You could say that this is overkill, but Pioneer DJ believes this to be the tip of the iceberg. These features are all for accurate sound reproduction.

There is also a tempo adjustment slider to allow for speeding up and slowing down the record. While DJs mostly use this in clubs, you can also experiment at home to hear your beloved albums slower or faster than usual. There is an instant reset button to normal speed, which makes readjustment convenient.

With the help of gold-plated RCA jacks, you can enjoy a low impedance and pure sound quality. The audio cables and power cables are interchangeable and easily replaced too.

One thing to note is that this record player does not come with a cartridge and stylus. However, this gives you complete freedom to mount any of your favorite compatible cartridges. You’ll have total freedom of customization!

While this record player was designed for DJs to use in clubs, you can still buy one to keep home in your dedicated music room. It might be a heavier one, but the vibration canceling is very potent. It’s truly worth getting one for your home.

Specifications

• Package Dimensions: 22.3 x 18.6 x 10.8 inches
• Total Weight: 31.5 pounds
• Frequency Response: Not given
• Speed: 33.3 and 45 revolutions per minute
• Channel Separation: Not given
• Channel Balance: Not given
• Load Impedance/Capacitance: Not given
• Included Parts: Eight

Pros:

• Built like a tank
• Almost no vibration
• Quiet operation
• Speed-up and slow-down slider
• High quality electronic

Cons:

• It doesn’t come with a cartridge and stylus.
• Tonearm bearing might wiggle in some examples

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Alternative Record Player Option

If none of the four players we discussed above satisfy your needs, we would like to direct you to this one instead. This record player works like a dream and comes from a celebrated company. If the name is important to you, this might be just the one you’re looking for!

5. Audio-Technica Turntable

Audio-Technica needs little introduction. The company is known all over the world as a manufacturer of excellent audio products. It’s no surprise that it also makes quality record players for audiophiles.

This record player is a fully manual belt-drive machine designed by the company to deliver the best analog sound for you. It reproduces sound from your vinyl records just as the artists meant their music to be heard. The sound quality is very pure and pleasing.

Part of the reason this player sounds so good is due to the medium-density fiberboard plinth made of solid wood. It also has a simulated teak veneer to reduce the amount of low-frequency feedback. A good wooden plinth will reduce vibrations and prevent many of them from reaching the stylus.

The teak veneer is also very warmly colored, making for a visually pleasing decorative piece as well.

You can play records that have speeds of 33.3 and 45 revolutions per minute. A majority of records available today or produced decades ago fit into these two categories. This means that you will only need a different player if you have records with 78 revolutions per minute in your collection.

The cartridge included in this record player is the AT-VM95C, which has a 0.6-millimeter conical stylus. Versatile in design, you can use it for many records, but this cartridge is also replaceable. Audio-Technica has various replacements for every budget and requirement, too, as long as it’s part of the VM95 series.

Made of aluminum, the tonearm is solid, and you can even adjust the tracking force as you prefer. This allows your records to last longer if you reduce the force on the records.

A preamp is installed in the player, which allows you to boost your speakers if needed. You can switch in on or off with a single action.

The dual RCA output cable is detachable as well, which opens up different connection options if you need them.

The removable and transparent dust cover can be in the down position when the record is playing. This way, you can prevent dust from getting onto the sensitive moving parts. It’s also aesthetically pleasing to watch the record spin.

Specifications

• Package Dimensions: 16 x 14 x 8 inches
• Total Weight: 8.6 pounds
• Frequency Response: Not given
• Speed: 33.3 and 45 revolutions per minute
• Channel Separation: Not given
• Channel Balance: Not given
• Load Impedance/Capacitance: Not given
• Included Parts: 5+

Pros:

• Aesthetically pleasing
• High quality
• Customizable

Cons:

• Some examples are defective

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Conclusion

A higher price means higher quality, but you also have to be mindful that you’re not spending more than you need to. Every record player on this list is an excellent product with great features, so you can rest assured that you’re getting the quality you’re looking for.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article and that you’ve found the best record player under 1000 dollars!