The 7 Best Direct Drive Turntables, Tested And Researched

William Shatner By, William Shatner
Updated
Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK Turntable
Image credit: Amazon.com

If you want to take your music listening to the next level, you'll need the best direct drive turntable. We've chosen the highest-quality models in various pricing ranges and bonus some belt drive type  so you can choose the right one for you.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK Turntable
Our Score:
9.7
Audio-Technica

The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB provides a wonderful listening experience in a self-contained and straightforward compact, making it ideal for anyone wishing to get into the vinyl game.

TOP Choice #2 Crosley C200A-BK Direct-Drive Turntable
Our Score:
9.6
Crosley

This Crosley turntable comes with everything you'll need to play every old-school vinyl you can think of, as well as a few recent records. It is a nice turntable and an ideal choice for anyone in the market for a new record player.

TOP Choice #3 Pioneer DJ PLX-1000 - High-torque Turntable
Our Score:
9.4
Pioneer DJ

The arm appears to be durable, and all of the connectors and controls feel firm, indicating that the build quality will last for many sessions. If you absolutely must buy brand new, the Pioneer DJ PLX-1000 is a good option to have on your shortlist.

4 Gemini TT-1100USB Professional Audio
Our Score:
9.3
Gemini

Gemini's TT-1100USB DJ Turntable is far more than your usual turntable. The TT-1100USB turntable has the vintage look of a belt-driven motor system, but it's a modern marvel thanks to its USB compatibility, which lets you connect your vinyl and digital music collections.

5 Audio-Technica AT-LP5x Direct-Drive Turntable
Our Score:
9.1
Audio-Technica

The AT-LP5x is a well-made design with the excellent sound quality for the price. It's also well-made, simple to set up, and enjoyable to use. Because of these factors, it is deserving of a presence on anyone's shortlist.

6 Sony PS-LX310BT Belt Drive Turntable
Our Score:
8.9
Sony

The inbuilt USB connector on this Sony automated belt-drive turntable is ideal for individuals who want to digitize their vinyl collections. The turntable comes with Sony's Audio Studio software to enable you effortlessly and rapidly record and optimize your vinyl records.

7 Fluance RT81 Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable
Our Score:
8.7
Fluance

The Fluance RT81 player has a fantastic aesthetic and even greater sound. This could be the model for you if you're seeking an entry-level model that's easy to set up and use. It works flawlessly, has several speeds, and provides a sound that is commensurate with its high-end components.

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To Choose The best direct drive turntables, What Criteria Do You Need To Study Before?

Almost all buyers are anxious about getting best direct drive turntables. Whenever creating multiple purchases, various issues need to be resolved. Our market expertise will give you help to make the best shopping selection.

It is advised that you perform your research before purchasing best direct drive turntables. Consider the following questions.

  • Should you pay more for this product?
  • Enjoy the benefits of purchasing online. How does it benefit consumers?
  • What are the benefits of purchasing this item?
  • When determining to consider investing, what factors should I take into account?
  • What is the most valuable item on the market right now, as perusers?

The info related to best direct drive turntabless has also become more available on the internet, thanks to the rapid development of websites, forums, and space for user evaluations and comments.

Many on our list have been tried and evaluated by inventors. Consider the following factors:

Record Speeds

These numbers are the revolutions per minute (rpm) of the record. Although most records are 33s in length, there are still 45s and some 78s available (the former are smaller). While most turntables can play both 33rpm or 45rpm, you will need to have an adapter in order to hear the slower version. You'll have to look for an adapter or player that can play 78s.

Styluses And Cartridges

A turntable's most crucial parts are its stylus and cartridge. The stylus and cartridge pick up the information from the record, convert it to electronic signals and send them to the speakers.
The stylus, or "needle", is what sits inside the grooves of the record. It is crucial to choose the right shape for the stylus. An elliptical stylus will pick up more information than one that has a conical surface because it touches more records. Audiophiles also believe that conical styluses work better with old records because they take up more space after the groove has been expanded through repeated plays.
The stylus is held in the cartridge, which converts its movements into electric signals. The most popular cartridge types are moving magnet (MM), and moving coil (MC). Most turntables will use MM cartridges because they areer and more convenient to change needles. However, MC cartridges can be lighter and pick up more groove changes than MM cartridges. They are also more costly.

Fully Automatic

Playing vinyl has the biggest drawback of having to reach at each end and turn it over. A fully automatic turntable uses a machine on the tonearm to put the needle on the record and play it. Then, at the end of the track, it lifts the record up to return it to its cradle.
The extra electric signals along the tonearm and the mechanical movement are what audio purists believe affect the sound. Full-auto, however, is the best option if you don't want to have to stand up for half an hour every time.

USB Turntables

You can record your albums to USB turntables. They may not be able to connect to regular audio systems because they only have the USB connector. The USB turntables can be smaller and lighter than regular ones, but they are also more compact, portable, ander. Many can be charged via USB.
Although "portable" USB turntables may come with speakers built in, they do not provide good sound quality.

Drives

Two types of drive are available for turntables: direct and belt.
Models with direct drive motors are mounted beneath the platter. In a belt drive, the motor is attached to one end by a rubber belt. The turntable can be spun at higher speeds and is compacted by direct drives. Belt models, on the other hand, isolate any extra noise from the motor.

Tracking Force

The track force refers to the downward pressure that the cartridge exerts on the record through the stylus. A suggested tracking force will be included with your turntable.
Adjusting the track force can be delicate, but this is worth it to improve sound quality. You also have a lower chance of damaging your records by too much downward force.
Adjusting the counterweight at the back of your tonearm can change the tracking force. First, balance the tonearm horizontally. Next, twist the counterweight to get the right downforce (as indicated in the instruction).

Anti-skate Force

The anti-skate force must be adjusted in conjunction with the tracking force via the dial located near the tonearm. This ensures that the needle does not move sideways.

Pre-amps

Pre-amps convert the turntable's "phono" signal into a stronger signal called "line", so that it is compatible with speakers, headphones and other audio equipment. You can either use an amplifier that has a separate phono line or buy a standalone pre-amp if the turntable does not have one.
Some turntables come with switchable preamps that can be switched on and off depending on the plugging device.

FAQs

Do All Turntables Have RCA Outputs?

Most do. This is a common feature in turntables and record players. For more details on your turntable, we recommend consulting the manual.

How Many Times Can You Listen To A Vinyl Record?

The vinyl record is a great resource for work. The record can be listened to over 100 times with no loss of sound quality.

Is It Bad To Leave A Record On The Turntable?

It is. It is a habit that even certified audiophiles sometimes forget to put their records in their jackets, but it's important to always do this.
Your record will be more likely to get damaged or dirty if it is not kept out in the open. You're guilty of this habit, but at the very least you should not forget to close the dust cover.

How To Make The Turntable Louder?

If the phonostage isn't connected correctly or not properly, your turntable might play slowly. A properly sized, wired and connected phonostage is the best way to unlock your turntable's potential.

Can You Connect A Turntable Directly To Speakers?

It all depends on whether the connectors in your device can accommodate your speakers. Most of them will. It shouldn't be a problem connecting your turntable and its speakers.

Which Is Better? Belt-Driven Turntables Or Direct Drive Turntables?

Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. A belt-driven turntable is one that rotates the platters using an elastic belt. The belt absorbs any vibrations which can impact sound quality.
They can get worn and inconsistent in speed, however.
On the other side, direct drive turntables have the platter being rotated by the motor. Because they are directly driven by the motor, they have a more constant speed and don't wear down like a belt.
Problem is that the motor can create unwanted vibrations which can disrupt your tracks' sounds.

Do I Need A Preamp For My Turntable?

Both yes and no. A preamp is necessary for every turntable to convert its sounds into something your record player can hear, as well as other audio devices.
Because most turntables have their preamp built in, it's not necessary. If this is the case then you don't need a separate preamp.
However, we understand that not everyone wants to improve their sound and decide to purchase a preamp separately. For more information, if you are one of these people, please see our next question.

What Makes One Turntable Sound Better Than Another?

You need to take into account many factors. The quality of both the stylus and cartridge is important. Some turntables simply have more features, which allow for better accuracy and less vibration.

What’s An Automatic Turntable?

A turntable that is automatic uses a combination of automatic features and a tonearm to lift itself from its resting place and position itself above your record for playback. After the track has finished, the device will automatically lift from its resting place and go back to the original position.
This is a preferred method by some users as it reduces the amount of effort required to stop and play your turntable. However, this does not mean you can't manually lift the tonearm. It's still possible.

Since merchandising consultant pros have a wide variety of expertise, the information above is presumed to be accurate. The data of best direct drive turntables is also updated on a regular basis. You may feel confident that the data is current and accurate.

Please report any problems with best direct drive turntables so that we can improve your experience. We'll work even harder to improve our quality as a consequence of your favorable comments!


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About William Shatner

William Shatner

William Shatner is a writer and editor who has worked in the audio equipment, computer, and projector industries. He also enjoys repairing and modifying audio equipment, and he has a particular interest in projectors. William is a critical thinker and problem solver, and he takes great pride in his work. He currently serves as the freelance editor of The Audio Insights.