For those who appreciate the analog vinyl sound, it’s no secret that there are a lot of turntables in different price ranges today, in the variety of which it’s easy to get lost. Budget models are actively in demand because of their affordability. Among the inexpensive devices, some have an attractive design and good functionality. I will help you to choose the best vintage record player from the budget segment. So this article will be interesting for those who do not have a big budget, strive for versatility, and appreciate turntables not only as a technique but also as a piece of interior. I will review models of unusual exteriors, as well as answer some questions on the subject of vinyl, so it will be interesting! Check out my list of the best vintage turntables, and I’m sure you’ll find something of interest to you.
Vintage turntable comparison table
| Name | Drive type | Operation type | Speeds | Phono Pre-Amp | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 BY ONE H009 best overall | belt | manual | 33 1/3, 45 RPM | yes | Review |
| Victrola Classic 7-in-1 Bluetooth Turntable under 100 | belt | fully-automatic | 33 1/3, 45, 78 RPM | no | Review |
| Victrola 50’s Retro Bluetooth Record Player | belt | fully-automatic | 33 1/3, 45, 78 RPM | no | Review |
Best vintage turntable reviews
1 BY ONE H009 – best overall
In my 1 BY ONE H009 review, I will introduce you to a turntable, which is more like a music center with the ability to play records. It has a stylish design that suits the modern interior and many attractive features for everyday use. It is not a budget record player, but it is quite affordable for many.
Build up quality
Stability is important for the record player. The sturdier it stands on the surface, the more balanced it is, which means you get a clear sound without "bouncing ."The 1 BY ONE H009 turntable weighs 13.3 pounds and measures 14.57x17.32x7.56 inches, making it stable and portable at the same time. Move it to different corners of the house without effort or extra connectivity because it has built-in speakers!
There are control buttons on the top panel. It's pretty simple, and even a beginner can handle it: playback speed switch, switch to Bluetooth, and the start button, which must be pressed and held for the system to turn on.
A 30 cm diameter Aluminum die-cast platter that weighs about 1.2 pounds is included, which also provides extra record rotation stability, a Slip Mat, a dust cover, and an Instruction Manual. The turntable is made of wood and metal, has a nice shape with rounded corners, and is covered in a natural wood veneer. Pleasant to the touch, it looks rather expensive and stylish.
Features
1 BY ONE H009, being a standalone audio system, includes a turntable, receiver, and speakers. So you don't need additional wires or space to install it. An excellent choice for those who prefer ergonomics! The manual belt drive lets you spin your records at 33-1/3 and 45 RPM and dampens vibration well. A DC motor and anti-skating function ensure stable operation.
The 8.6" long static balanced straight tonearm has a very good Audio-Technica Moving Magnet AT3600L cartridge with a diamond tip stylus. It provides a clear, crisp sound by gliding precisely through the groove.
The H009 has a built-in phono preamp, but you can switch to Line mode and plug in an external if you wish or connect externally powered speakers. The built-in speaker has four speakers. You can listen to vinyl records and play music from any device using Bluetooth or via the Aux-in port. Stream your tracks from your iPhone and Android smartphones, tablet, PC, or mp3 player. All-in-one!
Sound quality
1 BY ONE H009 record player perfectly combines versatility and decent sound in its price segment. Of course, it's not a professional deck, but with a complete plug-and-play package that saves you the extra cost, it's well worth the money. By saving on individual parts, the manufacturer provided it with important high-quality components. The cartridge alone is worth the individual compliments, doing half the work of extracting pure sound. Therefore, the sound of the H009 is stable, balanced, warm, and without any significant flaws. Compact, elegant, portable, and easy to install - this is a worthy piece of interior design that will tell a lot about your taste.
Key specs
- Drive type: belt.
- Operation type: manual.
- Speeds, RPM: 33 1/3, 45.
- Phono Pre-Amp: yes.
- Speakers: yes.
- Bluetooth: yes.
- USB: yes.
- AUX: yes.
The manufacturer saved a little money on materials, but the technical parts and internal components are of good quality. The sound is stable and clear, with no apparent flaws. If you are not a professional musician and need a vintage-looking turntable, 1 BY ONE H009 will be a great solution.
Victrola Classic 7-in-1 Bluetooth Turntable
Victrola has been making record players for over 100 years, and its arsenal includes several vintage-style models equipped with so many features that their more expensive competitors cannot boast. The Victrola Classic 7-in-1 Bluetooth Turntable review will introduce you to a full-featured universal "music audio system." It will be interesting for those who prefer multifunctionality and ease of operation.
Build up quality
At first sight, the Victrola VTA-204B turntable looks like a retro radio from about the 30s of the last century. But just open the lid, and you are ready to install and listen to the records! Made of mahogany with built-in speakers, there's just a metal plate on the front panel, where you will find quite a modern control panel. There are Stop, Program, Repeat, and Play buttons and two Forward and Reverse buttons. The knobs for Volume Control, Mode Switching, and Tuning are also present. In addition, the model has CD-ROM and Power and Open/Close buttons, FM/Bluetooth toggle, and an Aux jack. The cassette player is located on the side of the right panel.
A full-featured audio system complete with a 45 RPM adapter and RCA line output cable. However, it is hard to say it's small and portable. The Victrola Classic weighs 14.9 pounds and measures 18.1 "H x 13.4 "W x 9.5 "L, so make some space for that babe!
Features
The Victrola VTA-204B manual belt-driven record player offers you three record speeds of 33 1/3, 45, and 78 rpm. A great feature, you can play absolutely any record. Another terrific option is recording records to MP3s right on the spot, with Mac/PC software and a USB cable included. You can also use the RCA output (located on the back) to connect to other audio systems, such as more powerful speakers. And you can use the 3.5mm Aux input to connect devices that do not have Bluetooth functionality. As you can easily guess, Bluetooth will provide synchronization with your phone or iPod, with a range of 33 feet. And a bonus is listening to the radio, of course. After all, that's all that was missing here.
And since it's a complete stand-alone audio system, the Victrola Classic comes with a DC Servo motor, a built-in preamp, and a Ceramic Stereo Cartridge with ITNP-LC1.
Sound quality
The Victrola Classic 7-in-1 sounds pretty good. Nothing super awesome, but that's to be expected for its price. At the same time, I have no outright complaints about the sound: there is no excessive noise or crunch from the speakers. The sound is pleasant, smooth, and warm. Yes, it needs more detail, but this is not a professional deck for advanced audiophiles, after all. In any case, the player is equipped with features that allow you to connect more powerful speakers or replace the tonearm with another one with a better cartridge if you suddenly decide to do so.
Key specs
- Drive type: belt.
- Operation type: fully-automatic.
- Speeds, RPM: 33 1/3, 45, 78.
- Phono Pre-Amp: no.
- Speakers: yes.
- Bluetooth: yes.
- USB: yes.
- AUX: yes.
The Victrola Classic 7-in-1 sounds good. Nothing over the top, but it’s definitely one of the most interesting vintage record players under 100. It provides quite a smooth and warm sound, and this model will allow you to connect more powerful and high-quality speakers.
Victrola 50’s Retro Bluetooth Record Player
If you are not just looking for a record player but a complete music system for not much money, this Victrola 50's Retro Bluetooth Record Player review is for you. The brand has been producing multi-functional modern devices in unusual designs for a long time. And in this article, I will tell you in detail about the features of such a vinyl player, which combines the traditions of the past, years of quality, and modern technology.
Build up quality
As the name implies, the design of the turntable is made in the Retro style. It's like looking at a radio from the 1950s. The Victrola 50's Retro turntable comes in 4 colors: Black, Red, Blue, and Teal. So you can choose the one that fits the interior of your room.
It is a full sound system with built-in speakers, Aux-In and Headphone jack, USB, Bluetooth, AM/FM Radio, and a CD player. At the same time, the Victrola Retro is easy to operate, and the blue LED screen will help you with that. In addition, you'll find all the necessary buttons on the front panel: volume tuners and illuminated radio, a complete set of CD control buttons, an input selection button (Function), and Memory.
The turntable is portable, measuring 13" x 15" x 7" and weighing 16.5 lbs. The lid protects records from dust, but you can't close it if a large record is installed. Not that this is a disadvantage, but be sure to keep that in mind, so you don't break anything. The construction is sturdy, and the buttons are pleasant to the touch.
Features
The belt-driven vinyl record player has three playback speeds of 33 1/3, 45, and 78 RPM. This allows you to listen to even old and rare records in the original. The tonearm with Ceramic Stereo Cartridge and ITRRS-300 stylus has a soft lift mechanism and provides a well-balanced sound without vibration. There is also an Autostop feature to help save your records for a long time.
You can pair your Victrola Retro Bluetooth record player with any wireless device up to 33 feet away. And with the included easy-to-use recording software (PC and Mac compatible), you can digitize your favorite vinyl tracks to MP3 via USB. The detailed instructions included with your vinyl player will help you figure out how to do this in detail.
Sound quality
The Victrola 50's Retro sounds not bad. Of course, it is not a professional level, and an experienced audiophile is unlikely to be satisfied, but this model does not appeal to this target audience.
The dynamics are pretty quiet, and putting the record player in a large room won't fill the entire space with music. But you can always connect to other, more powerful speakers through the headphone input! However, for small rooms, it will do the job just fine.
It does not croak and does not make additional unplanned noises. Moreover, this device saves your room from many wires when creating your audio system. And if you are a fan of versatility rather than perfect detailed sound, then you will like this product. Everything is easy, simple, and compact. And it just looks cool! I'm sure it will gain a lot of fans.
Key specs
- Drive type: belt.
- Operation type: fully-automatic.
- Speeds, RPM: 33 1/3, 45, 78.
- Phono Pre-Amp: no.
- Speakers: yes.
- Bluetooth: yes.
- USB: yes.
- AUX: yes.
If you are a fan of versatility rather than an advanced audiophile and want to find a good vintage record player with speakers, I recommend the Victrola 50’s. It sounds good enough, looks cool enough, and I’m sure it will gain a lot of fans.
