The Best Belt-Drive Turntables

Belt-driven turntables adhere to the traditions of the very understanding of analog sound. Removing the motor from under the record and damping the natural vibrations with the help of a belt is considered authentic and natural for vinyl. Therefore, regardless of whether you already belong to the circle of audiophiles, gurus, so to speak, or are just beginning to learn this amazing sound, in my review, you will be able to find your best belt-drive turntable in the premium, medium, or budget price segment. But first, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of this type of drive.

Our pick

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO

Best belt-drive turntable

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO focuses on the core aspects that make a turntable sound great and technically correct design is built to last you a lifetime. Read the full review.

Buy now

Belt-drive turntables comparison table

What is a belt-drive turntable?

The name speaks for itself. The belt connects the motor (outrigger) to the torque plate using a belt. The “outrigger” can mean close or far away (sometimes the belt is visible from under the platter but is also often hidden underneath). It also means that if you manually control it, you will have to move the belt to the desired circle to change the platter speed, which is inconvenient when it is under the platter. But I will tell you about the advantages and disadvantages, perhaps separately.

Pros and cons of belt-drive turntables

The main advantages of using a belt-drive in modern turntables are:

There are disadvantages as well (where without them?):

Best belt-drive turntable reviews

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO – best overall

In this Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO review, I will tell you about a turntable that has taken a strong position among the models in the mid-range. It is essentially an upgraded version of the popular Debut Carbon (DC), in which the manufacturer has improved almost every aspect and, respectively, slightly increased the price. It is a worthwhile model; let's make sure of it soon.

Design

The sleek MDF cabinet is available in 9 colors, including glossy black, white and red, real walnut veneer, and new satin finishes. So the DC EVO will suit any interior. Especially if you're a fan of minimalism because there are no unnecessary details on the deck. Just a 12-inch steel TPE disc with a damping ring and a chic 8.6-inch carbon straight tonearm. The speed button has been moved to the bottom of the plinth, which is protected by a dust cover.

The new Debut Carbon Evo turntable stands on three height-adjustable damped aluminum feet, providing stability on uneven surfaces. In combination with the other elements, the turntable is vibration-free and does not produce any extraneous noise when listening to your records. In addition, it's easy to install and operate and weighs only 12.35 pounds.

Features

The new engine suspension design was the first improvement, making the Debut Carbon EVO even less noisy. And also the automatic gear shift (33, 45, and 78 rpm), with just one small button under the housing. No more disassembling the system to move the belt.

The previously mentioned tonearm deserves attention not only because it is very light and sturdy but also because it has a built-in Sumiko Rainier cartridge of the highest quality. The gold-plated RCA connectors complement the simple chic of the turntable, which are easy to replace (as are the rest of the Pro-Ject EVO). A high-quality RCA phono cable, a low capacitance, half-balanced cable with excellent shielding are also included.

As I previously said, nothing is superfluous. Neither in design nor hardware. The most essential are high-quality parts with a luxurious simplicity and sense of style.

Sound

I thoroughly enjoyed testing the Pro-Ject Carbon EVO, and I can say that I heard no vibrations, buzz, or motor noise in its performance. Instead, excellent soft midrange, high voice detail, and clear bass are what the Debut Carbon Evo record player sounds like. I played dynamic rock songs, mellow blues songs, and rich classical songs, and in each case, I got a great result of deep expressive sound.

Pro-Ject X2 – premium

Well, it's time to do a Pro-Ject X2 review, a premium turntable that will be appreciated by those who understand sound quality. Or those who are ready to spend an impressive amount of money but get a VIP audio system for many years. High-quality materials, stunning appearance, endless upgrade potential - we will take a closer look at all of this. Let's go.

Design

So, being the second in the line, the X2 turntable has a hefty price tag and a few key differences from the less expensive X1, but you get a European hand-built device. For example, its body is made of solid MDF and weighs a staggering 22 pounds, as opposed to the 15 pounds of the previous model. Although, of course, in this case, you don't have to worry about vibrations at all; it will be stable on any surface, thanks, among other things, to the three height-adjustable damped aluminum feet. I tested the turntable in Satin White, and it's awesome. It looks mega-modern and expensive. The manufacturer also offers Black Gloss, Satin Black, and Real Wood.

The case has a single button for switching operating speeds, platter, and tonearm. The 4.4 pounds white acrylic platter 30 mm high is something magical. It looks like something cosmic on a white body, something from the future. It is incredibly smooth and silent. The carbon-coated straight tonearm fits in with the overall design. I'm not a fan of straight tonearms, but I will note that the extension to 9" (as opposed to the standard 8.6") did the trick, and I liked how it fits neatly into the record's groove. The Pro-Ject X2 record player also allows you to modify it to your liking, and it has a fully adjustable azimuth and VTA.

It comes with a 15 volts DC /0.8A power supply, dust cover, and felt mat. As well as the Connect it E Phono cable of amazing quality. All in all, "class" is felt in everything and does not make you think about the cost of the device.

Features

The technical characteristics of the X2 are also impressive. For example, the already initially quiet 4.5 watts max quality engine is isolated and has improved suspension. I could not hear it working, no matter how hard I tried. Of course, it would be surprising in this price range to encounter flaws in this area, but I was meticulous. A plus and bonus, you get all three speeds of 33/45/78 RPM records played with electronic speed change. You don't have to change the belt or look up a particular format record in the store.

The turntable has no built-in phono stage. As I have mentioned many times in my reviews, internal preamps are never better than external ones. Unfortunately, the manufacturer didn't bother to build something not good enough into a great thing. So get ready to add the purchase of accessories to the considerable cost of the deck. After all, claiming to be a vinyl turntable at this level is worth investing in an audio system in all aspects.

Continuing about the tonearm, it comes preloaded with a Sumiko Moonstone cartridge (for the American market) or an Ortofon Pick it 2M Silver MM (for other world markets). Both are expensive and of high quality, but the feature I would call the ability to install an MC configuration cartridge into the tonearm. Such a feature is rare, and I appreciate this fact.

Sound

Don't forget that the sound depends on the cartridge and preamplifier, so that I won't describe my experience in detail. Take your time and choose the optimal components of the audio system; you will not regret it. I played rock, jazz, and blues on it and enjoyed the quality of the detailed, crisp, clear sound, every note, and the nuances of the vocals. Perhaps the bass is a little softened, but I wouldn't want any others for jazz. I won't hide that testing the Pro-Ject X2 made me happy. It's a decent turntable worth every penny, especially with its upgradability and incredible ease of use. Accordingly, it will serve you for years to come.

Fluance RT85 – also great

Today in the Fluance RT85 review, I suggest getting to know the Canadian record player made in Taiwan in detail. On the manufacturer's website, it has a long name: Fluance RT85 Reference High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable. And I will share my opinion about this great worth of your attention device.

Design

There are four colors in the Fluance RT85 line. You can choose the one that fits your interior: Natural Walnut, Piano Black, Piano White, or Lucky Bamboo. Each comes with an acrylic dust cover and gloves to keep the glossy surface clean. The MDF case is strong and solid, standing on three adjustable rubber feet, and that means assured balance on uneven surfaces and maximum absence of vibration. Its weight is 17 pounds.

The 12-inch diameter acrylic solid (3 pounds) platter is also designed to dampen vibration and speed stability. All in all, every detail is thoughtfully designed to save you the hassle of setting up and using the turntable. All control is performed with a single knob on the cabinet, designed to change speeds and turn the record player off.

Rounding out the image is a static-balanced, S-shaped aluminum tonearm with anti-skating adjustment. So, in general, nothing extra, only restraint, without superfluous details, but so elegant.

Features

First of all, it is a manual Fluance turntable with a belt drive and insulated motor, so it does not create additional noise during operation. The RT85 has two rotational speeds (33 ⅓ rpm and 45 rpm), which can be switched with a simple knob on the plinth and also has an auto-stop function.

The Ortofon M2 Blue Moving Magnet cartridge with a diamond stylus deserves special attention. It is the true advantage of the Fluance RT85, which is half its price. It will not leave you indifferent because it is accurate and long-lasting.

It is important to know that this model does not have a built-in phono stage. This is more of a plus, as it will allow you to set up your stereo in the best way possible. But it is an additional cost to your budget. The system is connected to the turntable via the two standard RCA outputs on the back panel and the gold-plated RCA cables that come with it.

Sound

You will surely appreciate the clean, undistorted bass and spacious soundstage, the stylish retro design, and the quality of the individual parts of the Fluance RT85. The manufacturer has really tried to eliminate all extraneous factors that can affect noise and vibration as much as possible. The cartridge captures sound in detail and clarity, so you can enjoy the clean analog sound.

Audio-Technica AT-LP60X – budget

In this Audio-Technica AT-LP60X review, I will examine a turntable, an advanced version of the previous AT-LP60 model. It is an inexpensive deck with some interesting features worthy of attention. So let's take a closer look at it.

Design

The fully automatic record player weighs only 5.6 pounds. The line has four colors, but only the front panel is different: Black, Red, Brown, and Gun Metal. Nevertheless, you can choose the one that fits your interior better. Of course, the weight of the AT-LP60X suggests that the body material is plastic. The deck doesn't look cheap, and it's stylish and easy to move around the room. The round start, stop, and gearshift buttons on the front panel add elegance. They are not distracting and make it easy to use.

A dust cover is included, which is always a bonus for me because you don't have to worry about cleanliness and minor external influences on fragile parts. The cast aluminum disc, as well as the redesigned tonearm base and headstock, provide tracking and resonance reduction. The tonearm is straight and lightweight, and there is a handy plastic holder on the panel.

Features

The AT-LP60X turntable is very simple. It has a belt drive, but the 33-1/3 rpm, 45 rpm switching is done by a button on the panel. So you don't have to remove the plate, and you don't have to shift the belt manually. The servo-controlled DC motor isn't noisy and doesn't interfere with listening to your favorite tracks. And the AC adapter provides AC/DC conversion outside the cabinet, reducing noise in the signal circuit.

The AT-LP60X comes with a built-in phono stage. So no additional instant spend is required, which is important if you're counting on "plug and play." But if you're not satisfied with the quality, you can always buy an external preamp and create your own audio system to your preference. There is a PHONO/LINE switch button on the rear panel for this purpose.

A built-in Dual Magnet phono cartridge with an interchangeable diamond stylus (ATN3600L) is also included with the turntable. But it can also be replaced by your choice. You'll also find a removable RCA output cable (3.5mm to two RCA connectors) and a 45 RPM adapter.

Sound

Of course, this model is not a professional deck and is unlikely to appeal to advanced audiophiles. But if you want to own a turntable, and have a limited budget, believe me, it is a decent value for money. The AT-LP60X plays records well. Some users complain that it doesn't like 10" records, but I haven't tested it. I didn't test it for too long, and it lived up to my expectations of the sound of an inexpensive deck. The balance and timing are pretty good. The dynamic range is capable of surprising. The lower and upper frequencies sound quite clean, with no hum or ringing. You probably will not hear clear detail, but the overall picture is very good. In addition, you can always buy an external phono preamplifier, which can positively affect sound quality.

1byone H009 – with built-in speakers

In this 1byone H009 review, I want to tell you about a nice retro-style all-in-one record player. The turntable is inexpensive but has features that many people might like. It's more of an out-of-the-box audio system, so you also get rid of the extra spending and hookups. Let's go!

Design

Well, the turntable's plinth is made of wood and metal in a streamlined shape with rounded corners. It is very transportable as it weighs only 13,3 pounds and measures 14.57x17.32x7.56 inches. The H009's natural wood veneer finish is pleasant to the touch, and its retro-style design is eye-catching.

On the front of the case, there is a speaker with a sleek 1byone logo. The control buttons are located on the top panel and are a playback speed switch, a switch to Bluetooth, and a 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, a slip mat, a dust cover, and an instruction manual are included.

Features

1byone is an all-in-one audio system that includes a turntable, receiver, and speakers. The manual belt-driven control ensures that records rotate at 33-1/3 and 45 RPM and dampens vibration well. Stable operation is ensured by a DC motor and an anti-skating function.

The 8.6" long static balanced straight tonearm has a very good Audio-Technica Moving Magnet AT3600L cartridge with a diamond tip stylus. It glides precisely over the groove and extracts a clear, crisp sound.

The H009 has a built-in switchable phono preamp that will allow you to connect external powered speakers. The proprietary speaker has four speakers, and you can not only listen to vinyl records with it, but you can pair and play music from any device, be it an iPhone and Android smartphone, tablet, PC, the USB-mp3 player through the player speakers using Bluetooth as well as through the Aux-in port.

Sound

Regarding the sound, I think that for its price, the turntable sounds pretty good. I would even say it is more a speaker with a vinyl playback function than the other way around. However, that doesn't make the 1byone a bad record player. In principle, it does its job. The manufacturer has saved money on materials, but the technical parts are of quite good quality. For example, the cartridge really does half the job when extracting sound. Thus, I can conclude that the sound is stable and clear, with no obvious flaws. If you are not a professional musician and don't want to bother with connections, settings, and so on - this H009 may satisfy your desires well.