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The Best USB Turntables 2023 is a great way to record your vinyl records and turn them into digital files. It lets you convert the sound from your vinyl records into a digital format that can be played on any computer, smartphone, or other device. This is perfect for keeping old records in good shape or playing classical music.
The USB turntable has a phono preamp built in so that it works with modern amplifiers and receivers. We all like vinyl records because they sound so good. But have you considered how long your records will last? They can not only play your records, but they can also keep the music safe. It’s a win-win situation, and you should know about it above all else!
Best USB Turntables Comparison Table
| Turntable Model | Connectivity Technology | Material | Motor Type | Dimensions | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony PS-HX500 | Wired | Aluminum, Rubber, Plastic | Belt-Drive | 17.3 x 6.2 x 14.2 in | 9.9 lbs | $499.99 |
| Audio Technica AT-LP5x | Wired | Aluminum, MDF, Rubber | Direct-Drive | 17.8 x 6.2 x 14.1 in | 12.8 lbs | $449.00 |
| Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB | Wired | Aluminum, Plastic | Direct-Drive | 22.1 x 18.1 x 8.9 in | 23.5 lbs | $279.00 |
| Denon DP-450USB | Wired | Aluminum, Plastic | Belt-Drive | 17.1 x 16.5 x 4.8 in | 12.1 lbs | $599.00 |
| Audio-Technica LP60BT | Bluetooth | Plastic | Belt-Drive | 14.17 x 14.02 x 3.84 in | 5.1 lbs | $149.00 |
| House of Marley Stir It Up | Wired | Bamboo, Aluminum, REWIND Fabric | Belt-Drive | 16.54 x 11.42 x 5.51 in | 10.8 lbs | $199.99 |
| ION Audio Max LP | Bluetooth | Wood, Plastic | Belt-Drive | 15.75 x 17.72 x 4.92 in | 8.4 lbs | $129.99 |
| Numark PT01 Scratch | Wired | Plastic, Metal | Direct-Drive | 11.9 x 11.9 x 4 in | 4.3 lbs | $129.00 |
Sony PS-HX500
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Drive Type | Belt Drive |
| Speeds | 33 1/3, 45 RPM |
| Cartridge Type | Moving Magnet (MM) |
| USB Output | Yes |
| Built-in Preamp | No |
| Platter Material | Die-cast Aluminum |
The Sony PS-HX500 is different from other USB turntables because it can record up to DSD 5.6Mhz and 24-bit/192kHz WAV files. So, Sony calls it a “hi-res turntable.” It’s not surprising, then, that when we took the Sony out of the box, one of the first things we saw was the bright yellow “hi-res audio” logo on the front edge of the plinth.
The hi-res ripping feature stands out and means that people who buy their favorite LPs won’t have to go to a download site to get it in glorious high-resolution for their smartphone or portable music player. Some people will always be excited to digitize their collection, while others won’t care as much.
- High-quality sound output
- USB output for digital recording
- Expensive
The Good
The Bad
Audio Technica AT-LP5x
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Drive Type | Direct Drive |
| Speeds | 33 1/3, 45, 78 RPM |
| Cartridge Type | Moving Magnet (MM) |
| USB Output | No |
| Built-in Preamp | Yes |
| Platter Material | Die-cast Aluminum |
The first AT-LP5 turntable from Audio-Technica was a winner. When it came out in 2016, its good engineering, useful features, and good sound made it one of our top recommendations for anyone looking for an easy-to-use record player at a reasonable price that also has a USB output. Overall, it is one of the best USB Turntables that you can buy.
There is a new cartridge that is easier to put in, the built-in phono stage can now work with both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, and Audio Technica has added a 78rpm speed option. It sounds a little bit cleaner and clearer than it did before, but it hasn’t lost any of its poise or dynamically pleasing sound.
- High-quality sound output
- Built-in preamp for easy setup
- No USB output for digital recording
The Good
The Bad
Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Drive Type | Direct Drive |
| Speeds | 33 1/3, 45, 78 RPM |
| Cartridge Type | Moving Magnet (MM) |
| USB Output | Yes |
| Built-in Preamp | Yes |
| Platter Material | Die-cast Aluminum |
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB is a USB turntable that many experts, including us, think is one of the best. It’s a great turntable for beginners because it’s easy to set up and easy to use. Changing speeds to get the right RPM for records will feel natural. The machine makes great sound, and the built-in amp does give the soundstage a little more warmth.
The AT-LP120XUSB also comes with a lot of features, like the well-liked AT-VM95E cartridge, which has a wider frequency response, and stereo output terminals that let you connect it to other audio gear. There is even analog-to-digital conversion for people who want to store their rare record collection on a hard drive.
- USB output for digital recording
- Built-in preamp for easy setup
- Relatively expensive
The Good
The Bad
Denon DP-450USB
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Drive Type | Belt Drive |
| Speeds | 33 1/3, 45 RPM |
| Cartridge Type | Moving Magnet (MM) |
| USB Output | Yes |
| Built-in Preamp | Yes |
| Platter Material | Die-cast Aluminum |
The DP-450USB adds a level of convenience to listening to vinyl records that most turntables don’t have. It has a design that gets people’s attention and works in a semi-automatic way. When an album ends, the tonearm automatically lifts up, the platter stops spinning, and the turntable turns off after 20 minutes of not being used.
It’s easy to digitize music, and since all recordings are numbered, you don’t have to worry about overwriting files. The fact that it can play back at three different speeds is also a nice feature that most other high-end turntables don’t have. You can expect sound that is airy and full, though on some tracks the highs and lows aren’t well balanced.
- USB output for digital recording
- Built-in preamp for easy setup
- Expensive
The Good
The Bad
Audio-Technica LP60BT
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Drive Type | Belt Drive |
| Speeds | 33 1/3, 45 RPM |
| Cartridge Type | Integral Dual Magnet (IDM) |
| USB Output | No |
| Built-in Preamp | Yes |
| Platter Material | Die-cast Aluminum |
The Audio-Technica LP60BT is a very easy-to-use turntable that comes with Bluetooth, which isn’t often seen. So, you can connect wireless headphones or speakers to listen to music without having to deal with wires. The tonearm is automatic, which means that it drops the needle at the start of the record and returns to its resting place at the end of each side.
This is great if you want to listen wirelessly from a distance. Audacity, which is our favorite software for converting, comes with the LP60BT turntable. It’s easy to use and has all the tools you need to clean up noisy recordings and edit tracks, like getting rid of the crackles and pops that come with old records.
- Built-in preamp for easy setup
- Bluetooth connectivity for wireless playback
- Lower sound quality compared to higher-end models
The Good
The Bad
House of Marley Stir It Up
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Drive Type | Belt Drive |
| Speeds | 33 1/3, 45 RPM |
| Cartridge Type | Audio Technica AT-3600L |
| USB Output | Yes |
| Built-in Preamp | Yes |
| Platter Material | Bamboo |
If you want a turntable that looks good and is also environmentally friendly, the Stir It Up option from House of Marley is for you. This is not only affordable but also looks great with its bamboo wood upper, hemp-based material covered lower, and brushed finish tonearm.
Even though it’s priced for beginners, it sounds much better than that. Another feature for beginners is that this has a built-in preamp, which means that it can go straight to speakers or headphones. In fact, the headphone port is right there on the front so it’s easy to get to.
- Sustainable and eco-friendly design
- USB output for digital recording
- Limited customization options
The Good
The Bad
ION Audio Max LP
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Drive Type | Belt Drive |
| Speeds | 33 1/3, 45 RPM |
| Cartridge Type | Ceramic Cartridge |
| USB Output | Yes |
| Built-in Preamp | Yes |
| Platter Material | Plastic |
The ION Max LP is a great choice for those who have a bit less money to spend. The table can play records at three different speeds: 33, 45, and 78 RPM. This means that you can record all kinds of historical events. It also comes with a 45 RPM record adapter, which you will need to buy if you want to play 45s.
If you need to test the speed of the turntable, you can use the tick marks around the edge of the turntable with a strobe light. The ION also has a raise/lower tone arm lever that makes it easy to put the needles where they need to be without worrying about scratching the record.
- Affordable price point
- USB output for digital recording
- Average sound quality
The Good
The Bad
Numark PT01 Scratch
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Drive Type | Belt Drive |
| Speeds | 33 1/3, 45 RPM |
| Cartridge Type | Scratch-specific Cartridge |
| USB Output | No |
| Built-in Preamp | No |
| Platter Material | Plastic |
The Numark is what you would call a portable turntable. It’s meant to be easy to pick up and move so you can listen to music in different places. This cheap table is easy to use, and its features look good. Don’t let the fact that the Numark PT 01 is portable fool you; it’s a great choice, especially if you want to move your table between the homes of friends or family members.
The player can spin at 33, 45, or 78 rpm and comes with a 45-rpm adapter. The tone arm is delicate and does not need to be moved by hand. It can start and stop by itself and the stylus can be changed. You can also lock it down while you’re moving it from one place to another.
- Portable and easy to transport
- Designed specifically for scratching
- No USB output for digital recording
The Good
The Bad
FAQs
A turntable setup is a big investment, and that’s not even counting how much you’ll spend on records, which are also not cheap. At the same time, a USB turntable is a great investment if you want to keep track of and listen to music in its most natural, uncompressed form.
Music fans can play their turntables by hooking them up to their computer’s sound card, but the USB turntable makes it easy for them to convert their vinyl collections to digital files.
Your turntable has a built-in preamp if it has a USB output. If you do need an external preamp, you will need a set of cables (usually RCA cables) to connect it to your audio system. When it comes to how they are made and how they sound, preamps can be very different.
Even though direct drive record players are reliable, the sound quality is often not as good. The high torque and consistency of these motors is a plus, but they often make noises from the motors vibrating. Still, they can’t be hurt by things like the stylus on the record or your own hand.