Head-to-head · Best Turntables Under $500

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB vs Sony PS-LX310BT

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about Buyers who want one box that does everything, plus DJs and anyone who wants to digitize their record collection over USB. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Turntables Under $500

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB

4.5

$399as of Jun 7

The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB is the most versatile turntable under $500: a direct-drive deck with a quartz-locked motor, a built-in switchable phono stage, USB ripping, and DJ-friendly pitch control. It is unflappably speed-stable and built like a tank. The stock cartridge and felt-over-aluminum platter keep it a notch behind the Fluance on outright sound, but no rival here matches its feature set or convenience.

Strengths

— DC servo direct-drive motor with quartz speed lock delivers exceptional speed stability
— Built-in switchable phono preamp works with any line input or powered speakers
— USB output lets you rip vinyl to digital files on a computer

Watch-outs

— Stock AT-VM95E cartridge is good but a step below the Fluance's Ortofon 2M Blue
— Aluminum platter with felt mat is less resonance-damping than acrylic
— Reviewers note a faint high-pitched whine audible in quiet passages

$399 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Turntables Under $500

Sony PS-LX310BT

4.2

$448as of Jun 7

The Sony PS-LX310BT is the convenience champion of the group: fully automatic, with Bluetooth to up to eight devices, a built-in three-setting phono stage, and USB ripping, all for well under $300. What Hi-Fi calls it one of the best 'my first turntable' decks it has heard. It is plastic-heavy and not the most resolving here, but for hassle-free, wireless-friendly vinyl it is unbeatable value.

Strengths

— Fully automatic operation: one button starts, plays, and returns the arm
— Bluetooth pairs with up to 8 wireless speakers or headphones
— Built-in phono stage with three gain settings plus USB output for ripping

Watch-outs

— Mostly plastic construction feels lightweight
— Sound lacks the resolution and refinement of the dearer belt-drive decks
— Bluetooth output is convenient but not audiophile-grade

$448 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB

The AT-LP120XUSB is the most feature-complete deck here: unlike the Fluance RT85 and U-Turn Orbit Plus it has a built-in phono stage, and unlike all the others it adds USB ripping and pitch control. Its direct-drive motor is more speed-stable than the belt-drive Sony PS-LX310BT and Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB, though its felt-over-aluminum platter damps less resonance than the RT85's acrylic platter.

Sony PS-LX310BT

The Sony PS-LX310BT is the only deck here with Bluetooth and full automation, and like the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB and Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB it includes a built-in phono stage. It is the cheapest and easiest to use, but its plastic build and fixed cartridge mean it trails the Fluance RT85, AT-LP120XUSB, and U-Turn Orbit Plus on outright sound quality and upgradeability.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB	Sony PS-LX310BT
Cartridge	AT-VM95E (moving magnet)	—
Drive	Direct drive, DC servo with quartz lock	Belt drive, fully automatic
Platter	Die-cast aluminum with felt mat	Die-cast aluminum
Speeds	33⅓, 45, 78 RPM	33⅓, 45 RPM
Wow & Flutter	Less than 0.2% WRMS	—
Phono Preamp	Built-in, switchable	Built-in, 3 gain settings
Outputs	RCA (line/phono), USB	RCA, USB
Weight	23.1 lb	3.5 kg
Bluetooth	—	Yes (up to 8 devices)
Dimensions	—	430 x 108 x 367 mm

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