Best turntable for 500$

[n_brio]

Im thinking about to buy my first turntable to see if i like it.
What is the best one new or used for around 500$?

[For The Love of Music]

I bought and liked the U Turn Special and upgraded the cartridge to the Ortofon Blue 2M after some time. Solid Walnut plinth, set up out of the box and playing in about 10 minutes.

It does have a built in Phono that can be used or bypassed by a press of a button.

[Antonmb]

The Rega Planar 1 for $475 is also a pretty good entry level table.

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

The Rega Planar 1 for $475 is also a pretty good entry level table.

Tony, 'pretty good' is all I'd give it, IMO the mdf platter is a POS.

Op, do you have Lp's to play or merely looking to get your feet wet ? if the latter and IMO only, analog 'on the cheap' is a waste of $$. I'm not trying to say you need to re-mortgage the house just that good analog is a far greater cost than good digital.

I'm an old fart that's been spinning 'black pizza' for 50 plus years, I have a modest record collection (1000-1500 Lp's), if I were starting out today would I ?...... nope.

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by Mikado463

Tony, 'pretty good' is all I'd give it...

Well, “pretty good” is what you’re going to get for $500

[clpetersen]

U-turn is a good place to start.

Consider also the Audio-Technica AT120 (about $250). Makes many number 1 recommendations for budget turntables.

[doggiehowser]

Originally Posted by clpetersen

U-turn is a good place to start.

Consider also the Audio-Technica AT120 (about $250). Makes many number 1 recommendations for budget turntables.

If the budget can stretch $99 more, you can get the LPW40WN RRP$649 for $599.

The new VM95 cart is really good and swapping out the stylus down the road, there are options for shibata or micro line.

I like the fact that one touch speed control is standard. And the tonearm is really good too.

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Well, “pretty good” is what you’re going to get for $500

regardless, an mdf platter is junk !

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by Mikado463

regardless, an mdf platter is junk !

Whatever you may think of an mdf platter, the table sounds pretty good and is a bargain for the price. I don’t disagree that it would make a lot of sense to stretch the budget a bit, but the OP asked for recommendations at $500.

[miner]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Well, “pretty good” is what you’re going to get for $500

Exactly