Best Cheap Turntables

A USB turntable can connect to your stereo system or use a built-in amplifier and speakers to deliver instant digitized listening pleasure. Alternatively, it can connect to a computer (through a USB port) and digitize records, so you can listen to your favorite music anywhere. The other option for vinyl aficionados is an analog turntable, which retains all the warmth present in vinyl because it reads the physical bumps and indentations on a record and doesn't alter the sound in any way. Although you can convert an analog turntable into a USB turntable by installing the right sound card in your computer and using a phono pre-amp, this is rarely an economical proposition. The majority of analog turntables are much more expensive than USB models and bypass the budget niche overall. The cheapest analog turntables generally start at about $250, compared with cheap USB turntables that retail for as little as $80.

USB Turntable Features

Turntables come in different categories: analog or USB, and direct drive or belt drive. There are only a few manufacturers that specialize in cheap turntables, and sell under brand names such as Numark, Ion, and Gemini. Each category has different technology behind it, but they all include similar features that should be considered before purchasing. Many of the newest cheap turntables incorporate a lot of these features to varying degrees of success, so here's what you should be aware of before buying.

Belt Drive vs. Direct Drive

All turntables, USB and analog, are either belt drive or direct drive. Belt-drive USB turntables, such as the Numark TTUSB (starting at $90) and the Ion Audio TTUSB 10 (starting at $125), are based on a cheaper design and are cheaper to build. Holding down the cost further, belt-drive turntables are not always automated; manual operation requires users to place the needle down while the record is spinning, which can damage the vinyl unless you have the proper amount of patience. Another disadvantage of belt drive is that the belt driving the platter's spin can stretch or break over time, so you'll eventually have to replace it; the cost of a replacement belt ranges from $14-$80, depending on the quality of the turntable. Belt drives can't withstand much wear and tear, so if you're looking to "scratch" records for fun, you'll have to raise your sights and opt for a direct drive turntable.

Direct-drive turntables, such as Numark's TTXUSB (starting at $395) or Gemini's DJ TT2000 (starting at $250), are more expensive than the belt-driven models and generally outside the Cheapism niche. They have a built-in motor that starts the platter spinning and places the needle down automatically, which saves you from inadvertently dropping the needle and possibly ruining the record. Direct drive is the sole choice of professional DJs and many audiophiles. A notable downside of direct drive, besides the higher cost, is that the platters are usually much lighter than those on belt-driven turntables. This lack of weight can actually produce ringing feedback at times, not to mention the noise that the motor itself makes when running, and these irksome sounds can be picked up when digitizing tracks with a USB turntable.

Most analog record players are direct drive and most USB turntables are belt drive. Still, there are some exceptions. The Stanton T92USB (starting at $300) and the Numark TTXUSB are examples of direct-drive USB turntables and the Denon DP-300F (starting at $329) and the Pyle PLTTB1 (starting at $80) are examples of belt-drive analog turntables.

Tonearm

If you're listening to vinyl records, with all their bumps and grooves, the shape and weight of the tonearm matters. An expert at Knowzy.com points out that a straight tonearm centers the needle in the record groove, a position that only a DJ could love because it's better for "scratching" but hard on the record. A casual listener or vinyl archivist should opt for an offset tonearm because it works with the record's grooves instead of forcing the needle to center -- as a straight arm does -- thus saving the needle and the record from wear and tear. The majority of cheap USB turntables, including the Ion Audio TTUSB 10 and the Numark TTUSB, have offset arms; but there are straight-arm models out there, like the Sony PS-LX300USB (starting at $110), so know what you're buying.

Regardless of shape, the tonearm should have an adjustable tracking weight. Both the Ion Audio TTUSB 10 and Numark TTUSB are equipped with counterweights, unlike the Ion Audio iPTUSB Portable (starting at $90), which is lacking in this dimension. Experts at Turntablebasics.com, explain that a counterweight is necessary to prevent tracking problems (e.g., the needle digging into the record as it plays, or the tonearm running too light and barely reading the record). Finding the middle ground is important for each individual turntable. This adjustment isn't a complex task for a decent turntable: Start by turning the dial at the end of the arm to zero, then turn the counterweight away from the pivot point until the tonearm is hovering level with the record's playing surface, and then change the counterweight until it reads the mass specified by the manufacturer. As a turntable review on Amazon notes about the Ion Audio TTUSB 10, a simple bit of trial and error and the tonearm was ready for play in about three minutes.

Anti-Skate Adjustment

When choosing a USB turntable, one of the most important features is anti-skate. According to the experts at Knowzy.com, anti-skate prevents records from being damaged and worn down, and minimizes extraneous noise by stabilizing the needle in the record groove. The Numark TTUSB Turntable and Ion TTUSB both include anti-skate adjustment for protecting records. The Ion iPTUSB lacks this critical feature, although an expert turntables review on CNET still gives this cheap turntable a somewhat positive appraisal. Note: without these adjustable counterweight and anti-skate features, you run the risk of seriously destroying your records.

Cartridges

Most audiophiles insist on turntables without ceramic cartridges. There are cheap USB turntables on the market equipped with these cartridges, so be on the lookout and pass right over these models. As the turntables expert at Knowzy emphasizes, manufacturers install low-cost ceramic cartridges because it's cheaper than adding a pre-amp device, which is a critical feature if you want good sound quality. Ion's iPTUSB is an example of a USB turntable with a ceramic cartridge, which partially explains why its price is so low. Most USB turntables don't use ceramic cartridges. Any other type of cartridge, such as a moving coil or moving magnet, produces fine sound quality; the Ion TTUSB 10 uses a moving magnet, as does the Numark TTUSB. Make sure that a cartridge is included with the cheap turntable you select because there are deals out there that exclude the cartridge altogether.

Digitizing Software

Most cheap USB turntables, like the Ion TTUSB, include a bundled digitizing software suite. These pieces of discrete software interact to capture the analog audio being played on the turntable in real time, convert it to a digital format that is sent on its way through the USB port to be played later on a computer or portable music device. Sometimes the digitizing software includes plug-ins that can clean up the audio, allowing users to fix any vinyl-exclusive noise, such as pops or clicks; this is a huge bonus when trying to get quality tracks. The Numark TTUSB Turntable includes a bundled version of Audacity digitizing software that works with a Mac or PC. Sony provides the powerful Sonic Foundry Sound Forge LE software with the PS-LX300USB, but the suite isn't compatible with Mac computers.

Analog turntables, especially direct drive models, seem more solid and substantial than USB turntables. But there are reasons for this. The parts are more expensive and direct drive motors are pricey. Usually there's a lot of steel instead of plastic parts, and the overall look of analog turntables is decidedly slicker. They're less apt to break easily and are generally more durable. Obviously, they cost a lot more than USB turntables. Although USB models are usually made with plastic throughout, and the belt-driven models can wear out quickly, you can still find some cheap USB turntables that provide decent audio and acceptable longevity.

Sound/Recording Quality

In the dimensions that matter -- recording and sound -- several cheap turntables stand out. A CNET expert turntables review says the performance of the Ion TTUSB 10 is more than adequate given its low price. A turntables review by a CNET consumer applauds the sound quality and solid tone of the straight playback on the Ion TTUSB 10, but concedes the sound of the digital transfer doesn't quite compare. A turntables review at Everythingusb.com agrees, saying the recorded vocals sound somewhat harsh although playback on a stereo is warm and free of distortions.

Turntable reviews by users also sing the praises of the Numark TTUSB. If you start with a high-quality recording, writes one user in a belt-drive turntables review on Amazon, the sound will surpass what you hear with CDs. Sound quality gets even better, comments one turntables reviewer on Epinions, if you invest in a higher quality cartridge.

The Sony PS-LX300USB, on the other hand, is panned in an expert review on Gadgetguy.com for producing poor quality sound because of the way in which it captures the audio and converts it to the MP3 format. A consumer posting on Amazon isn't pleased with the sound coming from the Ion iPTUSB, commenting that it neared around eight bits of resolution per second, which is less, even, than an MP3; knowledgeable listeners will be much happier with at least 16 bits per second.

As noted above, the prices for direct drive turntables are generally out of the Cheapism range, but several lower-priced models are worth mentioning. The Stanton T92USB appeals to serious casual listeners and not-so-serious DJs. It produces "nice" audio quality, according to a turntables review by a user on Musician's Friend, but would benefit from a better cartridge. Consumers use this model for straight playback as well as digitizing 33 rpm and 45 rpm records; one user posting on Amazon happily says a 30-year-old recording of his high school varsity band album sounds like his memories, but he grumbles about the software and an uneven platter. The analog DJ-grade Gemini TT-2000 produces decent sound but users report on VirtualDJ.com about struggling to get it to "scratch" properly; one user post on Musician's Friend complains about noise coming through the pre-amp.

Reliability

Inexpensive USB turntables seem to be at their best right when bought because the platter can warp over time and the belt will wear and eventually snap after many hours of play. The platter itself may even be lower quality than the rest of the hardware, as noted in a Numark TTUSB turntables review on Amazon. The Stanton T92USB is noted for its price and as a user at Amazon comments, it's platter isn't perfectly flat but that's to be expected at this moderate price point. In general, cheap USB turntables are somewhat less reliable than higher-end turntables over the long run. As an expert turntables reviewer writes on AVguide.com about one older belt-driven USB model, wear and tear is inevitable given the plastic construction.

There's something to be said for direct-drive turntables if you've got the budget for them. The Numark TT200 is a relatively inexpensive direct-drive analog model that a turntables review at Clubsguide.com calls a good model for beginners. Another decent direct-drive analog deck is the Gemini DJ TT2000, although it has its limitations. USB direct-drive turntables, such as the Stanton T92USB or the Numark TTXUSB are also valued for their solid construction, ability to digitize records, and almost-cheap price. An expert review of the Numark TTXUSB at Skratchworx.com notes it has way more features than other models in the same general price range and should appeal to consumers looking for more control, whether digitizing records or enjoying regular playback.

Digitizing Software

The software included with most cheap USB turntables is the same as what's included with higher-priced models, so there won't be much difference in the ability to digitize vinyl. There are many different software suites available for USB turntables, but most bargain models offer a similar package. Although some of the software is quite simple, a new user may need assistance. Indeed, some software is not as amateur-friendly as others, and could wind up costing you real money if you choose the wrong turntable. Shortly after purchasing the Sony PS-LX300USB at Best Buy, for example, a customer ran into trouble when attempting to digitize a record, but the retailer's tech support wanted $30 to help him out. In a Numark TTUSB review on Amazon, a user writes of struggling a bit with the bundled Audacity software until he got the hang of it. Many software companies are hard to reach by phone, but online forums and guides can often answer your questions. By the way, don't forget to keep your software updated; these updates often improve performance. An Ion TTUSB 10 review on Amazon notes that the bundled Audacity software is simple to use, even without the instruction manual; the reviewer particularly appreciates the feature that fixes any vinyl noise.

The quality of these software suites ranges from inoperable to thorough, depending on the features and ease of use. One user posting a turntables review on Amazon reports that the software can be touch-and-go until you get the hang of it, and the only downside noted is the need for a special plug-in that must be downloaded to export into an MP3 format.

Needles

As happens with any type of turntable, the needle on cheap USB turntables eventually wears out, and some users report that needles on low-cost turntables break easily. For the most part, you can find replacement needles online, such as the Ion Audio iCT04RS DJ Stylus (starting at $23), which can replace needles on the Ion TTUSB 10 and the Ion TTUSB. The replacement needle for the Numark TTUSB, ST-09D Replacement Stylus, starts at $17. But finding a replacement can be costly, not to mention difficult. A user review of cheap turntables on Amazon notes that Sony doesn't even make replacement needles for the PS-LX300USB and the Sony-certified stores in her area would not fix the turntable.

In sum, USB turntables are quite affordable, but some inexpensive models are pieced together poorly, with plastic parts and/or bad needles. To insure you're getting the best deal, look for all the necessary features, such as anti-skate and tonearm adjustments. Also, because you want to preserve a record collection instead of wearing it down, research which type of cartridge is included (avoid ceramic cartridges), and check out the ripping software before buying to make sure all the critical features are present.