The cheapest “audiophile” record player they have is probably the Debut Carbon Evo, but even the cheaper ones, especially with an elliptical stylus, are are excellent. You can get their cheapest turntable, the E1, with a 60€ Ortofon OM 5E cartridge (elliptical stylus) for only 230€ in Europe. I’ve tested it and it punches well above its weight. The only thing missing is tracking force control and anti-scating control, so you’re a little limited, but who can complain at that price.
The one thing I’d note for people considering adopting the hobby is the importance of a good phono preamp. Most cheaper or built-in ones are wildly inaccurate and will intensely misrepresent your records. Always make sure to look up the frequency response and how well it matches RIAA from a third party’s measurements! A good phono will do wonders for audio quality compared to one of lesser quality.
Plus one on Pro-Ject. Excellent record players.
The cheapest “audiophile” record player they have is probably the Debut Carbon Evo, but even the cheaper ones, especially with an elliptical stylus, are are excellent. You can get their cheapest turntable, the E1, with a 60€ Ortofon OM 5E cartridge (elliptical stylus) for only 230€ in Europe. I’ve tested it and it punches well above its weight. The only thing missing is tracking force control and anti-scating control, so you’re a little limited, but who can complain at that price.
The one thing I’d note for people considering adopting the hobby is the importance of a good phono preamp. Most cheaper or built-in ones are wildly inaccurate and will intensely misrepresent your records. Always make sure to look up the frequency response and how well it matches RIAA from a third party’s measurements! A good phono will do wonders for audio quality compared to one of lesser quality.