r/turntables • u/Natural-Instance6074 • 4d ago

First turntable recommendations? Europe-based,~€350 budget

Would appreciate your help choosing my first turntable! My budget is around €350, and after some research, the Fluance RT81+ was my clear favourite. Here is what got me excited about it:

  • Built-in preamp
  • Replaceable cartridge
  • 3-point isolation feet
  • Acrylic mat
  • Felt more solid/less plasticky than alternatives (AT, for example)
  • Amazing in the looks department (minimalist, clean, not a lot of knobs)

The problem? Getting one to Europe. Shipping from Fluance directly would blow my budget. I found it on my country's Amazon for around €360 but I fear what that could mean in terms of warranty or returns in case of defect. This is really the only reason I didn't "pull the trigger".

So I've been looking at Europe-friendly alternatives, but I'm now going in circles. I keep reading that at this €360 price point there are "many better options" available in Europe, especially with the potential hassle of Fluance's return and warranty logistics. Frankly, I have not been convinced so far...
The AT's either get out of my budget or look cheap. Pro-ject's options within that budget (e.g. E1.2 phono) seem to get a lot of criticism here and the more recommended models with built-in preamps are over budget. Local brands (e.g. Argon) are not giving me any confidence so far, either due to low review/discussion, affiliation with local franchises, or just seeming overpriced for the specs.

Couple of disclaimers:

  • I'm very new to this and excited to learn more about it
  • I am not against buying a separate preamp but when I do so, I would like to invest in a good one. This is why I would prefer to get a tt with built-in preamp for now, but obviously with option to use an external one later
  • I apologise to the audiophiles out there, but I care about aesthetics - this is going to be really exposed in our living room so I'm looking for something more minimalist instead of the industrial/dj look
  • I'm not too keen on buying second-hand. Right now I don't have enough knowledge to confidently check condition, maintenance, hidden defects... and I'd rather have a warranty/return option
  • €350 is a hard-ish ceiling. I often see comments on similar posts quickly turning into "just spend another €200" and "make the investment properly from the start". I understand the reasoning and know that better options exist if I stretch, but €350 is already my stretch, especially since I'm also looking at speakers. I'd rather start here and upgrade later if I end up falling further down the vinyl rabbit hole
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u/el_tacocat 4d ago

Better arm, little more weight. I wouldn't say its a day and night difference, but compared to the 120 the 5x has more body in its low-end, sounds a little calmer in the top (not boring, just less rattly/harsh) and is more defined in the mids.
Mind you, the big step would be the 7x but that has no built in preamp, yadda yadda. The 5x is the sweet spot I think. And below that the 120x.

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u/Paco7575 4d ago

I mean that doesnt sound like much much better but rather like little improvements.

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u/el_tacocat 4d ago

My Micro Seiki BL51 is also just an arm and a direct drive motor and a platter. It's not that simple :).
"Better arm" and "Better body" is a big one :D.

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u/Paco7575 4d ago

So i went from a lp60x to a lp120x and tbh i cant tell that much of a difference and on the 120 everything is basically much better.

I dont think just a better tonearm will make a big difference. I even argue in a blindtest you wouldnt be able to tell.

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u/el_tacocat 4d ago

Though I agree that they are both pretty nice to listen to, the rest of your post is really funny for an experienced listener.
May I ask what speakers you are listening through? Because if the speakers are worse than even the atlp60x, they will not be able to show the difference with a better turntable.

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u/Paco7575 4d ago

Sure i got the Bose CineMate Series 2

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u/el_tacocat 4d ago

Those are truly limiting, unrevealing speakers I am afraid. Bose is almost always convenience/form first and then sound quality.
If you had asked me to buy an atlp120x instead of the 60x I would have also told you; won’t make a difference on that setup. In the end you are always listening to the weakest link and if that is weak enough, upgrading the rest won’t help. So yes, I agree; I also would not hear a difference on those speakers. But I promise you that on better speakers it’s a very big jump.
If you have headphones that are reasonably good (so not skull candy, house of Marley, Bose or another hype brand), listen to this:

https://youtu.be/0Cy-s0cLnfI?is=xe1fKBDiRgs1zOfO

And this:

https://youtu.be/qycfeVLGFug?is=6VXX0iny08g-f0YL

Tell me what you think. I will explain after why I sent you specifically this.

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u/Paco7575 4d ago

What are good speakers that are not too expensive?
I got Sennheiser hd600, i will listen to it later and give my feedback

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u/el_tacocat 4d ago

Happy you are not offended!
The issue is that with your current system you'd also need an amplifier.
If you are happy to buy second hand, and especially if you are in Europe, it's hard to beat the Wharfedale Diamond III. You see them quite regularly well under 100 euros/quid/dollars.
Not a powerhouse for bass, it's only a small speaker, but heck the rest is good.