High-End top-of-the-line audiophile turntables

The nicest, most expensive, turntables you can buy.

Choosing a turntable is more than just a purchase – it's an investment in musical enjoyment, aesthetics, and the unique experience vinyl offers. With a multitude of options available, the key factors to consider while purchasing a turntable could be its design, features, functionality, and sound quality.

While physical retail stores may not showcase all the premium turntables the world has to offer, online platforms are where the cream of the crop lies. We've curated a list of high-end turntables revered for their exceptional quality and performance, many of which are seldom found in the best record/electronics store in your city.

These turntables, blessed with superior style and unique components, are much more than just everyday record players. If you're looking to invest in a record player to pass down as a family heirloom or to satisfy your desire for high-fidelity audio and aesthetics, we've got you covered.

Retro Charm Meets Modern Fidelity: Thorens TD-1500 Turntable

The Thorens TD-1500 Turntable effortlessly marries the nostalgic charm of classic vinyl with the precision and fidelity of modern audio technology. This high-end turntable is renowned by audiophiles and music lovers alike for its extraordinary sound reproduction and impressive design. Here's why the TD-1500 stands as an exceptional choice among premium turntables:

• Design and Aesthetics: The TD-1500 boasts a design that balances vintage charm with modern minimalism. Its solid wood plinth, available in walnut or high-gloss black, contributes to its luxurious aesthetic while offering superb vibration-damping properties.

• Sub-Chassis Turntable Design: True to Thorens' tradition, the TD-1500 employs a suspended sub-chassis design. This design reduces external vibrations and resonances, ensuring pure and undistorted sound reproduction.

• Precision Belt-Drive System: The turntable employs a precision belt-drive system powered by a high-quality AC synchronous motor. This results in accurate platter speed and a low noise floor, enhancing the overall listening experience.

• High-Quality Tonearm: The TD-1500 is equipped with the Thorens TP 92 tonearm. Known for its neutral sound character and low resonance, the TP 92 ensures accurate tracking of record grooves.

• Heavy Aluminum Platter: The turntable's heavy non-magnetic aluminum platter reduces resonance, further enhancing sound quality.

• External Power Supply: The use of an external power supply unit minimizes electrical interference and noise, preserving the richness and clarity of the analog sound.

The Thorens TD-1500 Turntable, with its combination of retro aesthetics, high-quality components, and remarkable sound reproduction, delivers an unmatched vinyl listening experience. While it commands a premium price, its superior performance and sturdy construction make it a valuable investment for any discerning audiophile.

The TD-1500 is more than just a turntable; it's a tribute to Thorens' rich heritage and a celebration of the vinyl medium, delivering your favorite records with stunning clarity and breathtaking fidelity.

Advanced Performance Meets Sleek Design: Pro-Ject X2 Hi-Fi Turntable

The Pro-Ject X2 Hi-Fi Turntable represents a compelling balance between state-of-the-art performance and modern design aesthetics. This premium turntable is esteemed by audiophiles and music lovers for its outstanding sound quality and precision. Here's why the Pro-Ject X2 stands as an exceptional contender in the high-end turntable market:

• Design and Aesthetics: The Pro-Ject X2 presents a blend of minimalist design with advanced functionality. Its MDF plinth, available in four stunning finishes – satin black, walnut, satin white, and high gloss black – not only enhances its visual appeal but also provides excellent resistance to unwanted vibrations.

• Precision Belt Drive: The X2 incorporates a precision belt drive with a low-noise AC synchronous motor. This results in accurate platter rotation, eliminating motor noise and vibration, thus delivering superior sound reproduction.

• High-Mass Aluminum Platter: The X2 features a heavy, non-resonant Acryl-IT platter made from acrylic, which significantly reduces unwanted resonance and ensures smoother, more precise playback.

• 9” Carbon/Aluminum Sandwich Tonearm: This cutting-edge tonearm is incredibly light yet rigid, which minimizes distortion and provides optimal tracking. It’s also equipped with azimuth and VTA adjustments for fine-tuning and greater audio fidelity.

• Advanced Isolation Feet: The specially designed TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) feet optimally isolate the turntable from surface vibrations, ensuring consistent, undistorted playback.

• High-Quality Cartridge Options: The Pro-Ject X2 offers compatibility with both MM and MC cartridges, and it is available with or without a pre-mounted Ortofon 2M Silver cartridge, ensuring a versatile and high-quality audio experience.

The Pro-Ject X2 Hi-Fi Turntable, with its seamless blend of aesthetic appeal, advanced features, and superb sound reproduction, delivers a truly premium vinyl listening experience. Despite its higher price point, the X2's top-tier performance and durable construction make it a valuable investment for any audiophile.

In essence, the Pro-Ject X2 is more than a turntable; it's an ode to the enduring allure of vinyl, encapsulating the richness of analog sound and delivering it with stunning precision and depth.

The Paragon of Precision: Thorens TD 124 DD High-Precision Direct-Drive Turntable

The Thorens TD 124 DD High-Precision Direct-Drive Turntable exemplifies Thorens' commitment to unparalleled craftsmanship and premium audio technology. This top-tier turntable garners immense praise from audiophiles and music enthusiasts for its exceptional sound quality and meticulous design. Here's why the TD 124 DD stands as an extraordinary option in the realm of high-end turntables:

• Design and Aesthetics: The TD 124 DD showcases a design that is both timeless and modern. Its aluminum plinth, combined with a high-gloss black surface, exudes elegance while providing excellent resistance against unwanted resonance.

• High-Precision Direct Drive System: The TD 124 DD employs a high-precision direct drive system, ensuring stable and accurate platter rotation. This eliminates potential speed variations, resulting in flawless audio reproduction.

• Stable Platter: The turntable's platter is made from a high-density, low-resonance composite material, ensuring smooth operation and minimal vibrations.

• TP 124 Tonearm: Equipped with the Thorens TP 124 tonearm, the turntable ensures accurate tracking of record grooves. This tonearm also features VTA adjustment, allowing for fine-tuning of the cartridge alignment.

• External Power Supply: The TD 124 DD's external power supply minimizes electrical interference and enhances sound clarity, preserving the authentic richness of analog sound.

• Rumble and Vibration Reduction: With its meticulously designed construction, the TD 124 DD minimizes rumble and vibration, delivering a clean, undistorted audio experience.

The Thorens TD 124 DD High-Precision Direct-Drive Turntable, with its superior engineering, high-quality components, and unrivaled sound reproduction, offers an immersive vinyl listening experience. Although it belongs to the premium segment, its remarkable performance and robust construction justify its price, making it a valuable investment for discerning audiophiles.

In essence, the TD 124 DD is more than just a turntable; it's a tribute to Thorens' rich heritage and an embodiment of the timeless appeal of vinyl, delivering records with incredible clarity and stunning fidelity.

Technics SL-1200GR (~$1799)

The Technics SL-1200GR Direct Drive Turntable is an embodiment of Technics' commitment to precision audio engineering. This mid-range turntable is praised by audiophiles and music enthusiasts for its remarkable sound quality and outstanding design. Here's why the SL-1200GR stands as a remarkable choice among turntables:

• Design and Aesthetics: The SL-1200GR showcases a sleek and sophisticated design. The silver finish coupled with a robust aluminum die-cast chassis lends the turntable both aesthetic appeal and vibration-damping properties.

• Direct Drive System: At the heart of the SL-1200GR is a coreless direct drive motor. By eliminating cogging, this system offers stable and accurate platter rotation, minimizing unwanted noise and ensuring pristine audio reproduction.

• High-Damping Tonearm: The universal S-shaped tonearm, constructed from lightweight, high-rigidity aluminum, features high initial-motion sensitivity. This allows the cartridge to track the record grooves with remarkable accuracy, delivering superior sound quality.

• Turntable Platter: The two-layer construction of the turntable platter - a die-cast aluminum top section and a solid rubber base - significantly reduces resonance, ensuring clear and focused audio output.

• Vibration Damping Body: The rigid cabinet and insulator add to the vibration damping properties of the turntable, contributing to an even more enjoyable listening experience.

• High-Quality Components: The SL-1200GR employs top-grade audio-specific parts, reproducing the warm, rich analog sound inherent in vinyl records.

The Technics SL-1200GR Direct Drive Turntable, with its superior engineering and high-quality components, offers a remarkable vinyl listening experience. While it sits in a more accessible price range, it doesn't compromise on performance or durability, making it a worthy investment for any vinyl enthusiast.

In essence, the SL-1200GR is more than just a turntable; it's a tribute to the timeless appeal of vinyl, encapsulating the richness of analog music and delivering it with stunning clarity and precision. 

Pro-Ject Xperience Classic (~$1499)

This might be my FAVORITE LOOKING turntable in this whole post.  I love the natural wood look, and I think it adds to the appeal and plays well into the tactile experience of listening to music on vinyl.  I think the design is simple and beautiful all around.  As a bonus, I don't think Pro-Ject makes a bad turntable, so your money would be well spent on this design.  It has all the features you'd expect from a $1500 turntable.  

Precision and Power: Technics Direct Drive Turntable System SL-1000RE-S (~$19,999) 👀

The Technics Direct Drive Turntable System SL-1000RE-S is a high-end turntable that embodies the confluence of precise engineering and premium audio fidelity. This turntable is well-acclaimed by audiophiles and music connoisseurs for its superior sound quality and meticulous design. Here's why this turntable is a standout purchase option in the high-end audio market:

• Design and Aesthetics: The Technics SL-1000RE-S exudes a sophisticated aesthetic with its refined silver finish. Its rigid, two-layer construction reduces unwanted resonance, ensuring an immaculate listening experience.

• Direct Drive System: The hallmark of this model is its coreless direct drive system. This eliminates cogging and delivers precise and stable rotation, reducing unwanted noise and ensuring accurate playback.

• High-Precision Motor Controller: The SL-1000RE-S employs a high-precision motor controller that utilizes motor control technology, which was developed for Blu-Ray devices. This ensures the highest level of precision and reliability, even during extended listening sessions.

• Tonearm Technology: The turntable boasts an S-shaped tonearm, made from lightweight, high-rigidity aluminum. The gimbal suspension construction ensures high initial-motion sensitivity, allowing the cartridge to trace the grooves of the record with extreme precision.

• Platter and Insulator: The platter is made of heavyweight brass and aluminum, while the turntable's insulator uses Technics' proprietary Definitive Outline design, offering both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Together, they reduce unwanted vibrations, thereby enhancing sound clarity and precision.

• Premium Components: The SL-1000RE-S uses high-grade audio-specific parts in the phono equalizer and power supply circuits, reproducing the rich analog sound that vinyl records inherently possess.

The Technics Direct Drive Turntable System SL-1000RE-S, with its advanced technology and meticulous design, truly elevates the vinyl listening experience. While it may command a premium price, its high-quality components, impressive performance, and durable construction make it a valuable investment for any discerning audiophile.

The SL-1000RE-S is more than just a turntable. It's a testament to Technics' commitment to audio excellence, capturing the essence of the vinyl experience, and delivering it with impeccable precision and remarkable audio fidelity.

The Epitome of Sonic Excellence: Rega Planar 2 Turntable

The Rega Planar 2 Turntable with its pre-mounted Carbon MM Cartridge is more than a high-end audio device; it is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and innovative design. This product garners rave reviews from audiophiles and music enthusiasts alike, thanks to its unparalleled performance. Here's why it's a leading choice among premium turntables:

• Design and Aesthetics: The Planar 2 features a high gloss acrylic or walnut effect laminated plinth, offering not only a stiffer structure but also a vastly improved appearance. It also introduces an ergonomically positioned power switch for user convenience. The re-designed feet have been engineered to enhance stability and reduce vibration transfer.

• Weight: Weighing in at 12.12 lbs, the Planar 2 is robust and well-built, ensuring durability and stable operation.

• Hand-assembled RB220 Tonearm: One of the key highlights is the hand-assembled RB220 tonearm, known for its ultra-low friction and tracking accuracy. This hand-assembled component contributes significantly to the turntable's superb sound output.

• Factory-Fitted Carbon MM Cartridge: The included factory-fitted Carbon Moving Magnet Cartridge offers a wide dynamic range, precise detail, and a warm, balanced sound, adept at capturing the nuanced textures of vinyl records.

• 24 V Low Noise, Low Vibration Motor and New PCB: The Planar 2 boasts a new 24 V low noise, low vibration motor assembly along with a new PCB. These components work synergistically to minimize distortion and produce crystal-clear sound.

• New Float Glass ‘Optiwhite’ 10 mm – Improved Accuracy Platter: The turntable's improved accuracy platter, made from new float glass ‘Optiwhite’ 10mm, increases precision and enhances the overall listening experience.

• 11 mm Self-Securing Brass Bearing: This improved feature provides a better fit and less stress on the bearing, preventing the transfer of potential energy and ensuring smoother operation.

Despite its premium price tag, the exceptional performance and luxurious listening experience that the Rega Planar 2 Turntable with pre-mounted Carbon MM Cartridge offers makes it a worthwhile investment. Its superior design, carefully selected components, and impressive sound output make it a standout choice for every vinyl lover. In essence, the Rega Planar 2 is more than a turntable; it's an homage to the vinyl culture, promising to captivate its audience with each record it spins.