FROM $1 TO $1000 – The BEST Turntables At EVERY Price Point!

United States of Analog | July 28, 2025

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🎙️ Early Video Analysis

What is this video about?

This video is a comprehensive guide to turntables across different price points, from $1 to $1,000. Host Bob is covering approximately 12 turntables at roughly every $100 increment to help viewers consider options at various budget levels. He emphasizes this is for consideration and research purposes, not definitive buying advice.

What gear, products, or brands are discussed?

• Jacks Vertical turntable [02:56] – $30 vertical tracking turntable found at Five Below store, no experience/can’t recommend
• Audio Technica LP60 [03:26] – Under $100 if found open box/discontinued on eBay, described as “great jumping-off point” for first turntable
• Crosley suitcase turntable [03:39] – Under $100, warning not to use it to play records, suggests only buying for display
• Audio Technica LP60X [03:52] – Around $100, has AT3600 cartridge, fully automatic, “only legitimate way” to get into turntables at this price
• Fluance RT80 [05:16] – $200 price point, host mentions having discussions about build quality but doesn’t have problems with Fluence at these price levels

What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?

• Requests for turntables in the $100-$300 range seem “unrealistic” to him [02:22]
• The LP60X is the only legitimate entry point into turntables at the $100 level [04:05]
• The AT3600 cartridge on the LP60X “is not the greatest but it’s not gonna do harm to your records” [04:09]
• Acknowledges this is a “limited scope” and not every turntable/price level available [04:54]

Were there any strong recommendations or warnings to viewers?

• Warning about Crosley: Don’t use suitcase turntables to actually play records [03:44]
• Stylus replacement warning: Friend has to replace stylus monthly on LP60X in rental due to public use [04:39]
• General advice: “Don’t let the general public get their mitts on your turntable” [04:45]
• Research emphasis: Stresses doing research, looking for sales, closeouts, and open box deals [00:46]

Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?

• Bob Dylan reference [01:58]: Responding to unsubscription threats: “To quote Bob Dylan, I don’t believe you”
• Clever comeback [02:03]: “If you did unsubscribe, I didn’t lose a viewer, you lost a channel”
• Sarcastic Crosley advice [03:44]: Suggests getting one with your favorite band on the lid “so you can just look at it”
• Rental unit humor [04:39]: Friend’s turntable requiring monthly stylus replacement due to renters

Summary

The video opens with host Bob addressing his audience about a comprehensive turntable buying guide covering 12 models from $1 to $1,000. He begins by referencing a previous video where he considered changing the channel name, but viewer feedback convinced him to remain “United States of Analog.” He acknowledges some pushback but dismisses critics with humor, quoting Bob Dylan and delivering a clever retort about losing viewers versus losing channels.

Bob then transitions into the main content, explaining his methodology of covering turntables at roughly $100 increments. He expresses some surprise that listeners frequently ask about turntables in the $100-$300 range, finding these budgets somewhat unrealistic. His search for an actual $1 turntable on AliExpress proved unsuccessful, though he found some options in the broader under-$100 category, including a $30 vertical tracking turntable at Five Below that he cannot recommend.

For legitimate entry-level options, Bob focuses on Audio Technica products, particularly the LP60 (if found used/discounted) and the LP60X at around $100. He positions the LP60X as the only legitimate entry point into turntables at this price level, noting its fully automatic operation and beginner-friendly features. He warns against Crosley suitcase players for actual record playing and shares an amusing anecdote about a friend’s rental property turntable requiring monthly stylus replacement due to renter misuse, before beginning to discuss the $200 Fluance RT80.

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⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis

Gear, Products, and Brands Discussed

• [00:05:28] Fluance RT 80 turntable ($200)
• [00:05:45] VM 95 Elliptical cartridge ($60-70 upgrade)
• [00:05:59] U-Turn Orbit Basic turntable ($329)
• [00:06:46] Music Hall MMF Mark One turntable ($400)
• [00:07:03] Ortofon 5E moving magnet cartridge (included with Music Hall)
• [00:07:31] Fluance RT 85 turntable ($500)
• [00:07:47] Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge (included with RT 85)
• [00:09:17] Rega Planar One (P1) turntable ($600)
• [00:10:01] Cambridge Audio Alva ST turntable ($699)
• [00:10:04] VM 95E cartridge (included with Cambridge)
• [00:10:33] Project Carbon Evo 2 turntable ($700)
• [00:10:45] Picket Evo cartridge (included with Project)

Host’s Key Findings, Verdicts, or Opinions

• [00:05:48] Fluance RT 80 described as “a pretty solid platform at a very low price”
• [00:06:06] U-Turn was “slightly ahead of the curve when it came to this turntable revolution”
• [00:06:14] Host has “never owned a U-Turn, but I’ve heard nothing bad about any of their turntables”
• [00:08:26] Fluance RT 85 described as “almost undeniable”
• [00:09:20] Rega P1 “cannot be denied”
• [00:09:32] Host has “never owned a Rega turntable myself” but has “lusted after them for years”
• [00:10:16] Cambridge Alva ST is “a turntable that you can live with and have fun with for years”
• [00:10:38] Project Carbon Evo 2 “is a really great performer”

Price/Value Assessments

• [00:07:56] Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge “sometimes at full retail is about $250 – that’s half the price of the turntable itself”
• [00:08:07] Notes typical turntable-to-cartridge ratio “is like a 10 to 1 ratio” but RT 85 offers “half of the cost”
• [00:08:14] Points out you’re getting “a cartridge that’s featured on $1,000 turntables” on the $500 RT 85

Audiophile Tips, Advice, or How-To Content

• [00:07:12] At $400 price point, “you’re starting to get some ability to make those minor adjustments that can make your vinyl sound great”
• [00:07:19] Notes this “won’t appeal to a lot of beginning audiophiles because they don’t want to mess with vertical tracking angle and things like that”
• [00:10:59] Mentions cartridge is “rumored to be of Ortofon origin”

Memorable Quotes or Strong Takes

• [00:06:42] “We’re gonna start dipping into your life savings”
• [00:08:26] Fluance RT 85 is “almost undeniable”
• [00:09:05] “Sharing is caring – I read that somewhere”
• [00:09:20] Rega P1 “cannot be denied”

Summary

This portion of the video covers turntables in the $200-700 price range, starting with the Fluance RT 80 at $200 and highlighting its upgrade potential with a VM 95 Elliptical cartridge. The host moves through progressively higher price points, discussing the U-Turn Orbit Basic at $329 and praising U-Turn as an early innovator in the turntable revival.

At the $400-500 level, the focus shifts to more serious options like the Music Hall MMF Mark One, which offers adjustment capabilities that may intimidate beginners, and the Fluance RT 85, which the host considers “almost undeniable” due to its inclusion of the premium Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge worth half the turntable’s price. This represents exceptional value compared to typical turntable-to-cartridge cost ratios.

The $600-700 range introduces what the host considers near-high-end options, including the Rega Planar One with its superior UK build quality and components, and two $700 options: the Cambridge Audio Alva ST (which he has reviewed) and the Project Carbon Evo 2 (which he has tested in-house). The Project stands out as the first turntable in the video featuring a carbon fiber tonearm, representing a significant step up in technology and performance.

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🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict

What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion?

Retailers mentioned:

• [00:11:11] Turntable Lab, Music Direct, Crutchfield, Upscale Audio, Elite Audio

Turntables and brands:

• [00:11:29] Rega P2 ($800) – hand assembled in UK with upgraded tone arm and automatic biasing system
• [00:12:05] NAD C 588 ($900) – carbon fiber tone arm, precise speed, low vibration, comes with Ortofon 2M Red cartridge
• [00:13:44] Technics SL-1500C ($1000) – direct drive option
• [00:13:52] Technics SL-1200 MK7 ($1000) – multiple colors/variations, host’s daily driver turntable
• [00:14:26] TEAC and Denon mentioned as other brands at $1000 level
• [00:14:29] MoFi mentioned as not yet accessible at $1000

Components:

• [00:12:35] Ortofon 2M Red cartridge (on NAD)
• [00:12:40] Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge (upgrade option)

What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion?

• [00:14:54] The overview was intended to show what you need to spend for certain features
• [00:15:14] Gives viewers an idea of how much to spend or save for desired turntable features
• [00:15:17] Turntables are “more hands-on and more satisfying than things like streaming”

Were there any final recommendations — buy, skip, or consider?

• [00:15:20] “Don’t be afraid to jump in at any level”
• [00:15:25] “Be prepared to spend at least 300 bucks for a decent deck”
• [00:13:38] For $1000 direct drive turntables, may need to look for refurb or open box deals
• [00:12:47] Can upgrade NAD’s 2M Red stylus to Blue later

Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers?

• [00:13:29] For $1000 direct drive options, “we may have to get into a refurb situation or an open box situation”
• [00:13:38] “We may have to get a little closer to 1,200” for new Technics direct drive models
• [00:13:49] If you shop properly, SL-1500C is possible at $1000
• [00:14:47] Acknowledged he couldn’t show every turntable and there’s “a lot I haven’t seen and a lot I haven’t heard”

How did the video wrap up?

• [00:14:23] Asked viewers to comment what catches their eye at $1000
• [00:15:32] Standard YouTube outro encouraging viewers to watch another suggested video
• [00:15:39] Mentioned YouTube’s AI choosing the next video recommendation
• [00:15:49] Thanked viewers and signed off with “ciao”
• [00:15:53] Promised United States of Analog “is not changing anything except for the occasional hairstyle”

Memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions

• [00:15:17] “It’s more hands-on, and it’s more satisfying than things like streaming, I guarantee it”
• [00:15:20] “Don’t be afraid to jump in at any level”
• [00:13:03] “Maybe as a vinyl community we shouldn’t sleep on NAD turntables”

Summary

In the final portion of this turntable guide, the host covers the higher-end options from $800-$1000, highlighting the Rega P2 at $800 with its automatic biasing system and the NAD C 588 at $900 with carbon fiber tone arm. He acknowledges that NAD might be an underrated option in the turntable space, despite being known primarily for amplifiers. At the $1000 level, he transitions into discussing direct drive options, particularly the Technics SL-1500C and various versions of the SL-1200 MK7, noting that his personal daily driver is the 50th anniversary edition of the latter.

The host wraps up by explaining that the video’s purpose was to give viewers a realistic understanding of what features cost at different price points, from carbon fiber tone arms to direct drive mechanisms to better cartridges. He emphasizes that this knowledge helps people understand how much they need to spend or save for their desired setup. While acknowledging he couldn’t cover every turntable available, he provides a solid framework for decision-making across the price spectrum.

His final message is encouraging and enthusiastic about vinyl playback, stating that turntables offer a more hands-on and satisfying experience than streaming. He advises viewers not to be intimidated about jumping in at any level, but sets realistic expectations by recommending a minimum budget of $300 for a decent turntable. The video concludes with his typical friendly sign-off and encouragement to explore more content on the channel.

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Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.