First turntable - tailored request for advice
Hi all, I’d love some advice on choosing my first turntable. I've narrowed it down to 3 options.
Context:
- UK-based, budget ~£300 for the TT (ideally less).
- Medium-sized bedroom/lounge setup.
- 30th birthday gift—want something new & ‘for life’ (not planning to sell/upgrade to another TT).
- Likely pairing with Edifier R1280DB + ART DJ Pre II (if preamp is needed).
- Balance of ‘plug & play’ vs. upgradability—I may (or may not) get deeper into the hobby. Initial quality is probably the priority, but I'd like at least some scope for upgrades in case I fall in love with the hobby.
Shortlist:
- AT-LPW40WN (£290, Amazon UK)
- Fluance RT82 (£300, Amazon UK)
- Rega Planar 1 (£330, multiple UK retailers)
I’d love to hear your thoughts on:
- Sound & build quality – Are these all in the same league?
- Plug & play vs. upgradeability – Any clear winners/losers?
- Value & anything else worth noting – Features, warranty, support, etc.
I’d only go for the Rega if it’s clearly superior, and I’m leaning toward the AT for its price & aesthetic and built-in preamp (nice feature for a noob, but can still be upgraded in future) - unless the AT is significantly worse than the others. Also, if there are cheaper alternatives that meet my needs, I’d love to hear them—£450+ (TT + speakers + preamp) feels like a big jump for a first setup!
If the reality is that all three are solid choices, that’s also helpful to know. Thank you! 😊