Best Record Players with Preamps Reviews

In this article, I have compiled a selection where you and I will look for the best turntable with preamp. A vinyl record player simply cannot do without such a device as a phono stage because it is the most important element that actually helps you to hear what is recorded on the LP.

I will tell you what this device is and what the advantages of the built-in preamplifier are before we start the reviews. After that, you will get acquainted with the ratings of models suitable for beginners or unassuming listeners. Why this category users? It’s elementary. A built-in preamp is always inferior to an external one. I advise you to buy the latter in the future, especially if you want to develop and become part of the amazing community of true audiophiles.

Our pick

Rega Planar 1 Plus

Best turntable with preamp

All the features of the Rega Planar 1 Plus turntable with the addition of a built-in high-quality MM phono stage, make this the ultimate ‘Plug and Play’ turntable. Read the full review.

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Turntables with preamp comparison table

What is a preamp and why it matters

Simply put, a preamp, or phono stage, is part of a chain of devices with a single purpose – pure, high-quality sound from the speakers. The initial sound extracted by the turntable needle is very faint, so if you connect the turntable to speakers, you won’t hear anything. An amplifier is used to amplify the sound, but you need a phono stage to convert the audio signal into enough for further travel.

As I noted above, it’s better when it’s a separate external device with a full size and circuitry that doesn’t interfere with each other. With a built-in preamp, you’ll never get the same quality sound as with an external preamp. But, as a rule, a good separate device costs a penny. And then inexpensive turntables that work on the plug-and-play principle come to the rescue.

Such turntables are considered simpler and usually inexpensive (within the budget and medium segment). Over time, you can splurge and buy an external phono stage to make your system sound brighter and more dynamic and unlock the full potential of the vinyl player. For this, you need good initial data: an anti-vibration chassis, a reliable tonearm, and the ability to change the cartridge. Other elements can improve the sound, too, but this is a sufficient base.

Benefits of having a built-in preamp

• Convenient and easy to use for beginners. You don’t have to understand the principles of electrical circuits. Just plug in your speakers or receiver and enjoy analog sound.
• Space efficiency. Any additional device requires extra wires and space. For a turntable with a built-in preamplifier, you’re limited to a flat surface suitable for its size.
• Cost-effectiveness. I’ve already mentioned this. Budget savings may be a decisive factor initially, but eventually, you’ll buy an external phono stage anyway.

Best turntables with built-in preamp reviews

Rega Planar 1 Plus – best overall

I give the first place in the rating to Rega Planar 1 Plus. In fact, this is a standard Planar 1; after reviews, the manufacturer installed an advanced Rega MM phono stage, which changed the picture as a whole, giving the user a beautiful, clear sound. This model’s cost is in the middle segment category but quite affordable. And if you invest enough money, you can get an excellent analog audio system.

The Planar 1 Plus handheld turntable is simple and will suit even a novice music lover. The plinth is very slim and comes in three different colors. It houses a Phenolic resin, a flywheel effect platter, and a straight handmade tonearm. But despite this minimalist design, the model weighs in at 15 pounds. That’s not much, but on a flat surface, I was quite satisfied with the anti-resonance, as Reg’s innovations in terms of an advanced EBLT drive belt and a high-quality, low-noise 24V synchronous motor do the trick. The on/off button is located under the chassis, which I find convenient; that way, I didn’t bruise the pretty deck surface. But to change the platter speed from 33 to 45 RPM, you’ll have to lift the platter every time. Still, it will get you even closer to the vinyl.

The tonearm, as I said, is straight. This is the simplest design, but it is not precise. But you won’t have to dig around with tuning and alignment, as there’s no VTA adjustment, nor is there an anti-skate adjustment. It’s enough to set the design correctly, and everything will work as usual. The Rega Carbon moving-magnet cartridge works well, but I’m an Ortofon fan and almost immediately replaced it with Ortofon Blue. If you decide to make that switch, you won’t regret it.

Audio-Technica AT-LP7 – also great

If the first place is the optimal price/quality ratio, the second place is occupied by the most expensive representative of the rating. Audio-Technica AT-LP7 is about 100 dollars more expensive than the Rega Planar 1 Plus, and it is a manual turntable with a belt drive. But already here, there is an advantage because the rotation speeds (33 and 45 RPM) are switched by a round knob on the panel, and it is more convenient but also does not oblige you to dirty the surface with your fingers.

The MDF chassis construction is also heavier and, therefore, more reliable than the rating winner. The turntable weighs 18.3 pounds. The 20mm thick polyoxymethylene platter maintained its balance well and smoothly, and I experienced no vibration problems. The AT-LP7 has an outward-facing belt, and you can see the amount of wear on the belt.

The plug-and-play principle also applies to this turntable, but the tonearm is J-shaped. This shape extracts the soundtrack from the record better than a straight one by adapting the angle of the needle into the grooves. You can also adjust it to your wishes. Overall, the AT-LP7 is a pretty serious turntable that claims to be a true vinyl turntable. The pre-installed VM520EB cartridge is of very good quality, but it can even be replaced, so it is possible to upgrade it in the future.

I liked the turntable’s sound with its built-in preamp more than any other model on this list. The sound is rich, nuanced, and feels bright and dynamic. You can also hear layers of music well, especially when listening to classical music. Concert recordings are characterized by layering of instruments, and the range from quiet background sounds to ringing front sounds of AT-LP7 is very wide. In general, the brand is notable precisely for creating affordable but quality products, as its creator wanted to give analog sound to as many people as possible. I even measured the wow and flutter, corresponding to the declared parameters <0.08% WRMS (33 rpm) at 3 kHz.

Fluance RT81 – budget

In the category of budget record player with preamp, the absolute winner is Fluance RT81. The RT line is extremely popular among users because it offers a great base for the upgrades I mentioned for a ridiculous amount of money. This is the cheapest model on my chart, under $300, but it has good potential.

The RT81’s construction is standard. The 14.1-pound MDF chassis holds stability well, and the rubberized anti-resonance adjustable feet are also thoughtful. The strap, like the Rega Planar 1 Plus, is hidden, and you’ll have to check it often, as it’s not very good and wears out quickly (confirmed by user reviews). But there is a slider for switching speeds (33 and 45 RPM), like the Audio-Technica AT-LP7. Nevertheless, the construction has a lot of aluminum (platter, tonearm), which is the simplest material.

Nevertheless, the tonearm in this model has an S-shape, which is considered the most optimal for extracting sound from the record’s grooves. Audio-Technica AT95E cartridge is very simple and inexpensive but common. In case of breakage, it is easy to replace. But still, I would recommend buying a more expensive, high-quality one from Ortofon. The more expensive models of the RT line are pre-installed with these. Here, you don’t have to agonize with tuning; everything plays right out of the box.

Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB – under $500

Another turntable with a “tasty” price of up to $500 is the Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB. It looks very similar to the selection leader, Rega Planar 1 Plus, but is inferior in many aspects. It is also a manual turntable; it has 2 speeds and a belt drive, where the belt is hidden under the platter, and a straight tonearm. However, the speeds here can be switched to the AT-LP7 or Fluance RT81. There is a small button for this purpose, and this is where I wore out the glossy surface, as it is too close.

This model is the lightest in my review, weighing only 9.92 pounds and not providing the proper resonance. While the glass platter is considered great for record grip and smooth rotation, it doesn’t add much weight or stability. The chassis is thin and plastic, so mounting properly would be difficult. I put the Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB in a special monolithic cabinet and achieved normal anti-vibration there. And at first glance at this thin cabinet, you can assume that the preamp here is not very good.

From the good stuff – Ortofon OM5e cartridge. Although it is a budget cartridge from the brand, it is still made with due professionalism and copes well with its task. It can, of course, be replaced.

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB

The icing on the cake is also a budget, but not an alternative to the Fluance RT81 turntable created for beginner DJs. Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB looks like a professional mixing deck, but it is still unsuitable for professionals, as it has a lot of plastic. But dreamers have to start with it, don’t you agree?

The design is completely different from the other models in my review. It has full control for a disk jockey: pitch control with quartz lock, push-button start/stop, speed switching, and illuminated parts. However, the construction uses a lot of plastic, and the parts are not too reliable for intensive work, so it’s unsuitable for professional DJing. Although its weight is pretty good (17.6 pounds) and in a home environment, it will stand up well to vibrations. But not in a club environment. We also have an S-shaped tonearm with VTA adjustment here. I would replace the mat, though.

AT-LP120XUSB is a single turntable with 3 speeds (33, 45 and 78 RPM). Cartridge AT-VMN95E is normal and quite common in budget models of this brand and others. But the built-in preamplifier is weak. It gives out a muddled, quiet picture. As the name suggests, the turntable has a USB. DJs need to record their tracks on a PC.