When picking a turntable to use with a soundbar, it is crucial that we choose a turntable with Bluetooth connectivity.
The reason is that most sound bars don’t include an analog AUX input that is needed to connect a traditional wired turntable. With a few exceptions, soundbars only have digital inputs like HDMI and TOSLINK.
So, when picking a turntable to use with soundbars, it is wise to choose a turntable with Bluetooth connectivity. This way we can easily connect the tunable to almost every sound bar on the market, wirelessly.
Below are what I consider the 5 best turntables on the market with Bluetooth connectivity today. Great turntables form leading manufacturers.
1. Sony PS-LX310BT
Best Overall
The Sony PS-LX310BT is an elegant-looking and high-rated turntable that offers incredible value for money. It sounds so good for the money that the leading Hi-Fi publication What Hi-Fi labeled it “one of the best sounding fully-automatic turntables we have ever heard” and gave it a score of 14 out of 15.
It comes with Bluetooth wireless connectivity in addition to a standard wired analog output.
The Sony PS-LX310BT is an affordable entry-level turntable that punches well over its selling price.
Key Features
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Built-in phono preamp
- Fully automatic
- USB output for ripping records
Key Specifications
- Drive: Belt drive
- Speed: 33 and 45 RPM
- Size: 14.50 x 17.00 x 4.30 inches
- Weight: 7.9 pounds
Pros
- All the right features
- Affordable
- Great value for money
- Nice design
Cons
- Cartridge replaceable but not upgradable
Verdict
The Sony PS-LX310BT is the overall best value, best looking and best sounding turntable to use with soundbars in my opinion. A natural first choice.
Price
Click here to check price on Amazon.
2. Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB
Runner Up
It is not easy to find a turntable that has a higher standing in the vinyl community than the legendary Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB. And when Audio-Technica decided to include Bluetooth as an option in 2020, it becomes a very good choice for soundbars.
The AT-LP120 is well-bult, solid as a rock, comes with lots of features and is highly upgradeable. It has a strong direct-drive motor that even makes it great for scratching. If you fancy its traditional DJ style design, it is hard to find a better turntable at this price point.
Key Features
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Built-in phono preamp
- Manual operation
- Good for scratching
- USB output for ripping records
Key Specifications
- Drive: Direct drive
- Speed: 33, 45 and 78 RPM
- Size: 22 x 18 x 10 inches
- Weight: 20 pounds
Pros
- Amazing package at this price point
- Easily upgradeable cartridge
- Legendary design
Cons
- The DJ-style design might not be for everyone
Verdict
The Audio-Technica AT-LP120 was the first turntable I bought when I got back into vinyl and it is still one of the best affordable turntables you can buy today.
Price
Click here to check price on Amazon (Bluetooth version).
3. Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT
Best Budget Option
The Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT is probably the most popular and best-selling turntable in the world. As a vinyl geek I read and heard so many good things about it that I eventually had to buy one and test it myself. You can read my review here. It is an impressive little turntable considered the affordable price.
It offers exceptional value for money and is one of those turntables that nearly all Hi-Fi critics and Turntable experts have at the top of their lists of best entry-level turntables.
It is fully automatic and very easy to set up and use. It pairs with speakers, headphones or other wireless audio systems that are Bluetooth compatible, including soundbars.
Being one of the most affordable turntables on the marked, the sound quality may not satisfy the audiophiles among us. But for most people the sound quality will be more than good enough.
Key Features
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Built-in phono preamp
- Fully automatic
Key Specifications
- Drive: Belt drive
- Speed: 33 and 45 RPM
- Size: 14.70 x 14.10 x 3.80 inches
- Weight: 8.1 pounds
Pros
- Well-built
- Affordable
- Great value for money
Cons
- Cartridge replaceable but not upgradable
- Sound quality is (naturally) not as great as with more expensive models
Verdict
If you are looking for a well-built and nice-looking affordable turntable for your soundbar, then you will not go wrong with the AT-LP60XBT.
Price
Click here to check price on Amazon.
4. Pro-Ject T1 BT
Best choice for “beginner audiophiles”
If you want to go one step up in price and performance compared to the three turntables we have reviewed so far, then the Pro-Ject T1 BT is your best option in my opinion.
Pro-Ject Audio is known for their ability to produce great sounding turntables at a low price. With their new T1 they combine technology developed for their more expensive models with state-of-the-art production techniques to take the performance of this midrange turntable to the next level.
The Pro-Ject is manually operated and belt drive purist turntable with Bluetooth connectivity which makes it great for passionate music listening and easy to connect to most soundbars.
Key Features
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Built-in phono preamp
- Manual operation
Key Specifications
- Drive: Belt drive
- Speed: 33 and 45 RPM
- Size: 33.5 × 41.5 × 10 cm
- Weight: 3.8 kg
Pros
- Great sound
- Pure and elegant design
- Upgradeable cartridge for better sound (optional)
- New design and latest tech
Cons
- None at this price point
Verdict
The Pro-Ject T1 is a great sounding and elegant looking “beginner audiophile” turntable from leading manufacturer Pro-Ject.
Price
Click here to check price on Amazon
5. Cambridge Audio Alva TT
Best choice for audiophiles
If you are looking for an extraordinary turntable to use with a soundbar, then the Cambridge Audio Alva TT is currently the highest performing turntable on the market that features Bluetooth connectivity. That said, it is probably overkill to spend this amount of money for a turntable to use with a soundbar. But if you want the very best, here it is.
Th Cambridge Audio Alva TT features a very nice design, impressive sound and is built to the meet the highest quality standards. It also comes with aptX HD Bluetooth support which offers a higher bandwidth compared to standard Bluetooth.
Key Features
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Built-in phono preamp
- Manual operation
- aptX HD Bluetooth support
Key Specifications
- Drive: Direct drive
- Speed: 33 and 45 RPM
- Size: 435 x 139 x 368mm
- Weight: 11 kg
Pros
- Nice design
- True Audiophile sound
- Well-built
Cons
- Not exactly cheap
Verdict
The Cambridge Audio Alva TT is the best performing and highest priced turntable with Bluetooth connectivity on the market.
Price
Click here to check price on Amazon.
Conclusion
We have reviewed the 5 best turntables for soundbars on the market today. They are all best in class for their specific price points.
I hope this helps you find a great turntable to use with your soundbar.
Please drop us an email if you have questions or comments on this topic, we are happy to help.
Related Questions
What is the difference between direct-drive and belt-drive turntables?
On a direct drive turntable, the motor is connected directly to the platter and sits directly under the platter.
On a belt drive turntable, the motor is positioned towards the edge of the turntable plinth and drives the platter trough a rubber belt.
The advantage of a direct-drive turntable is that the motor has high torque and is very robust. This makes direct-drive turntables ideal for scratching.
The advantage of belt drive turntables is that rubber belt isolates the motor from the platter so that less motor noise is picked up by the cartridge. This makes belt drive turntables ideal for passionate music listening.
Manual vs. automatic operation explained
On a manually operated turntable, you have to manually place the tonearm at the beginning of the record and manually return the tonearm when the record ends. Today, this is the most common solution on higher quality turntables. The reason is that a turntable with fewer mechanical parts produces less unwanted resonances and therefore sound better.
On an automatic turntable you only have to push a button and the turntable automatically starts up and moves the tonearm to the beginning of the record. When the record ends, the turntable automatically lifts the tonearm and returns it back to its resting position.
Please visit my manual and automatic turntables explained article for a more in-depth read.
What is a phono cartridge?
The phono cartridge is the device that sits at the far end of the tonearm and includes the needle/stylus. In essence it is an electromagnetic generator that transforms the grooves in the record into an electrical signal.
The quality (and price) of the phono cartridge has huge impact on the sound quality of a turntable. Because of this, vinyl enthusiasts often upgrade the cartridge on their turntables to increase its sonic performance.
What is a Phono Preamp?
The phono preamp essentially boosts the tiny signal that is outputted by the phono cartridge to the same signal size that is outputted by other music sources like CD players, music streamers, PCs, etc.
If you try to play records with a stereo that doesn’t include a phono preamp, then the music signal will be extremely low. Almost impossible to hear at all.
A phono preamp is absolutely necessary to play vinyl records.
Many turntables come with a phono preamp built in. This is common with entry-level turntables. The preamp can also be a separate unit or included in the stereo receiver.