Best Belt Drive Record Player

Belt drive turntables under $1000

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO – best overall

Pro-Ject is a brand I really like; it’s known for its quality designs, bold colors, and great sound – all at a good price. They started the Debut series in 1990, and it’s been a favorite among vinyl fans ever since. The Debut Carbon EVO doesn’t disappoint as well.

Thanks to the improved motor suspension, this record player works quieter, enabling you to enjoy the sound that restores the frequencies as close to the original as possible. While it is not the heaviest model on the market (13.2 pounds), its steel platter, enhanced with TPE damping, effectively minimizes vibrations and resonance. The TT supports 33/45/78 RPM records and allows you to change the speed with the touch of a button, though it’s tucked away beneath the plinth, which makes it hard to reach. To be frank, straight tonearms usually remind me of lower-end turntables, yet I have to concede that the EVO’s straight 8.6-inch carbon fiber tonearm is quite good. It’s lightweight yet solid, aiding in precise tracking and lessening wear on records. However, adjusting the arm’s vertical tracking force can be a tricky and lengthy process for beginners. But once you make it, you’ll enjoy smooth operation and decent sound.

The Sumiko Rainier cartridge also sparks debate among critical listeners, but from my experience, it performed well across various music genres during tests.

The one aspect I truly found lacking is the lid – oddly, there are no rubber protectors, particularly considering the turntable’s glossy finish. I’m worried that it might develop scratches over time. Additionally, the hinges don’t appear to be very sturdy.

Rega Planar 2

The Rega Planar 2’s graceful design, sturdy build, and smart engineering make it really successful in its price range. Let’s take a closer look at its features.

Having a tonearm with ultra-low friction bearings and lightweight bearing housing with an integrated arm clip, the unit provides enhanced performance. It is also compatible with a wide range of cartridges.

The Rega Planar 2 comes with a pre-installed Rega Carbon moving magnet cartridge that ensures play convenience. Furthermore, the EBLT drive belt brings improved stability and more accurate speed, plus, 24V low noise and low vibration motor won’t interfere with the purity of sound during the playback. Another feature I love about the Planar 2 is its upgraded float optiwhite glass 0,4 inch (10 mm) platter, known for its self-cleaning properties.

Thanks to its meticulous construction and quality mechanics, the Planar 2 delivers excellent sound – balanced, powerful, with a big soundstage and natural musicality. I tested it on the SBTRKT with its intricate mix of sharp beats, dynamic percussions, & fast rhythms, and Rega’s precision and rhythmical skill accurately place every sound, all delivered with vibrant energy. Yes, this player sounds slightly better than our winner, the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO. But, honestly, only an expert can tell the difference; most newcomers, even with a critical ear, won’t notice it.

There are minor inconveniences like the power button under the plinth, the absence of the speed switch button, and tricky tonearm balancing. As you can see, the EVO gets additional scores here – it’s more user-friendly with its convenient speed selector.

Belt drive turntables under $500

Fluance RT85 – best under $500

If the previous two turntables are a bit expensive for you, but you still want a solid, good-sounding machine, do consider the Fluance RT85. This model offers exceptional build quality for its price – it’s rare to find such decent components in a TT for under $500.

The acrylic platter absorbs unwanted vibrations resulting in a clear track playback. In addition, the isolated motor with a speed control mechanism guarantees consistent platter velocity (0.07% wow/flutter). A solid wood plinth with vibration isolation feet secures the unit from micro-vibrations and resonances. I also appreciated the Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge that sits on the S-curved tonearm. They work together to deliver beautiful, warm sound with no extra bass or unusual sound curves but with a well-distributed soundstage.

Just like Denon DP-400, the Fluance RT85 doesn’t have an in-built phono preamp (a nod to audiophiles) but comes with two standard RCA outputs that allow bringing your stereo receiver.

Mind that the tonearm requires some fine-tuning. At first, I added too little tracking force, and the sound was excessively bright – nearly toxic to my ears. It took me several tries to set the perfect force.

Denon DP-400

After dedicating considerable time to the Denon DP-400, I find myself with a blend of emotions about the experience.

This is a semi-automatic model, which is great for beginners who only start learning to operate vinyl. It includes a S-shape curved tonearm (great for tracking) and a branded moving-magnet cartridge with an elliptical diamond stylus premounted to the headshell. But I would recommend upgrading the cartridge to an Ortofon Red or Blue for uncovering missing harmonic grooves of the record.

Unlike Fluance RT85 with 33 1/3 and 45 RPM capabilities, the Denon DP-400 turntable also covers 78 RPM records and allows you to set various speed settings. Another dissimilarity is that this record player has an in-built preamp, which reduces the need for an external device. It’s another good addition for newbies, but the motor noise is noticeably intrusive. This constant humming compromises the listening experience, especially in the more subdued sections of music.

To be honest, I don’t really like the DP-400’s construction. Yes, it looks slim and elegant, but it’s lightweight and lacks sturdiness, especially when compared to the Fluance RT85. Besides, it has a fragile, low-profile lid that doesn’t cover the entire deck, only the platter and arm.

Belt drive turntables under $300

Fluance RT82

Meet another player made by the highly regarded Fluance brand. While its RT85 tops the list of sub-$500 models, the RT82 is ranked as the best belt drive turntable under $300 (KW).

It offers commendable sound quality thanks to its S-shaped tonearm and the Ortofon OM10 elliptical cartridge – a combination hard to surpass in its price bracket. While listening to Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours,’ I was enjoying the sharpness of the high hats and the richness of the bass lines – details that less expensive models often miss. This difference was stark in ‘Dreams,’ where Stevie Nicks’ ethereal vocals seemed more vivid and layered. Frankly, I didn’t anticipate such good sound from a TT priced under $300.

Because this is a manual turntable (unlike Sony PS-LX310BT with a fully automated mechanism), this device gives you more control. However, I spent nearly an hour unpacking and setting it up, so keep in mind that this is not the type of turntable you can unpack and use immediately. Also, note that the cueing lever tends to be somewhat twitchy, necessitating a gentle touch to keep the needle steady. Another feature I didn’t like is the speed control – it requires some improvement as there is a noticeable amount of a little wow and flutter.

Sony PS-LX310BT – best budget

Sony PS-LX310BT is a budget-friendly turntable that promises wireless freedom.

Compared to Fluance RT82 that allows connecting to speakers only through outputs, this Sony record player has a Bluetooth module that enables wireless connectivity. Besides, it is fully automatic, making it a perfect match for vinyl rookies.

Although the player is very lightweight (only 7.9 pounds), it features a pretty heavy aluminum die-cast platter and isolated motor, ensuring clear playback. It works at two operating speeds: 33⅓ and 45 RPM, and I found no deviations in the reproduction speed. Mind that there are no adjustments for setting the tracking force or the azimuth for the cartridge. Beginners might not notice it, but enthusiasts who enjoy fine-tuning might see it as a drawback.

The audio quality is adequate for the price. Of course, it won’t wring out every piece of sound from the grooves, but there are no critical sound deviations that might affect your listening experience. The midrange and bass score well, but there could be more treble and more expression in vocals. But again, for the money, it’s rather a minor quibble than a solid disadvantage.

Belt drive turntables under $200

Audio-Technica AT-LP60X

I don’t like singing the praise of cheap turntables, but some users want to start getting acquainted with vinyl through more affordable models. So, here is a good cheap belt drive vinyl player with classic features and adequate-quality components – the Audio-Technica AT-LP60Xs.

It’s very user-friendly with the built-in preamp and fully automated operation, so all you have to do is lift the tonearm and the music starts playing without any fuss. The quite powerful 300W DC servo-controlled motor guarantees steady playback at 33 and 45 RPM. Plus, the sturdy die-cast aluminum platter ensures consistent performance.

Now, let’s talk about the player’s downsides. Firstly, the build quality leaves much to be desired. The AT-LP60X, primarily constructed from plastic, feels disappointingly lightweight and fragile in my hands. Next, the cartridge is not upgradable, and the needle is super delicate. I’ve learned pretty quickly that the needle demands a gentle touch; it seems all too eager to pop off if I’m not careful. And then there’s the aux cable it came with – I was hoping for seamless sound transmission, but it just hasn’t lived up to those expectations. I found myself searching for a better cable, which thankfully made a significant difference in audio quality.