Head-to-head · Best Turntables Under $500

Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB 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

Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about Beginners who want a respected hi-fi brand, a built-in preamp, and one-touch speed switching without fiddling with belts. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Turntables Under $500

Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB

4.3

$399

The Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB is an Austrian-built belt-drive deck that bundles a built-in phono preamp and electronic 33/45 speed switching into a tidy, beginner-friendly package. Reviewers rate its build and features highly (5/5 from What Hi-Fi on both) and call it an easy recommendation, though its sound leans warm and full rather than the cleanest at the price. It is the convenient, plug-and-play option for newcomers who want a respected hi-fi brand.

Strengths

— Built-in Pro-Ject-designed MM phono stage plays straight into any line input
— Electronic speed switch changes 33/45 RPM at the touch of a button
— Glass platter and low-resonance design sound clean and full-bodied

Watch-outs

— What Hi-Fi found bass isn't the cleanest, leanest or most detailed
— Timing and dynamics trail the best decks at the price
— No USB output or Bluetooth

$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

Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB

Like the Sony PS-LX310BT and Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB, the T1 Phono SB includes a built-in phono stage, making it plug-and-play unlike the Fluance RT85 and base U-Turn Orbit Plus. It adds electronic speed switching the manual-belt Orbit Plus and RT85 lack, but its belt drive trails the AT-LP120XUSB's direct drive on raw speed stability, and reviewers found its bass less clean than the best in the group.

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	Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB	Sony PS-LX310BT
Cartridge	Ortofon OM5E (pre-mounted)	—
Drive	Belt drive, AC motor	Belt drive, fully automatic
Platter	Glass	Die-cast aluminum
Speeds	33⅓, 45 RPM (electronic switch)	33⅓, 45 RPM
Phono Preamp	Built-in MM	Built-in, 3 gain settings
Tonearm	8.6" aluminum	—
Outputs	RCA (line/phono switchable)	RCA, USB
Weight	8.4 lb	3.5 kg
Bluetooth	—	Yes (up to 8 devices)
Dimensions	—	430 x 108 x 367 mm

← See the full ranking of best turntables under $500