At least once a week, someone walks into the shop and says something like: “I want to start collecting vinyl but I don’t know what turntable to buy. My mate says I need to spend two grand.”

Your mate is wrong.

You can build a setup that sounds genuinely good — better than any Bluetooth speaker or laptop setup — for under $500 AUD. I’ve done it dozens of times for customers, and I’ve done it for my own second setup at home. Here’s exactly what I’d recommend in 2026.

What You Actually Need

A turntable setup has three components: the turntable itself, an amplifier (or receiver), and speakers. That’s it. Some setups simplify this by building the amplifier into the turntable or the speakers. We’ll talk about when that’s fine and when it’s not.

You also need a phono preamp, which boosts the tiny signal from the turntable’s cartridge to a level your amplifier can work with. Some turntables have one built in. Some amplifiers have a phono input that does the same job. As long as one component in your chain has a phono stage, you’re sorted.

The Turntable: Audio-Technica AT-LP60X ($199 AUD)

I know the purists will groan, but hear me out. The Audio-Technica AT-LP60X is the best entry-level turntable on the Australian market right now. It’s fully automatic, has a built-in phono preamp, tracks well enough to not damage your records, and sounds considerably better than its price suggests.

Is it as good as a Rega Planar 1 or a Pro-Ject Debut? No. Those are $500-600 for just the turntable alone, before you’ve bought an amp or speakers. We’re building a complete setup here, not a turntable museum.

The AT-LP60X does everything a beginner needs. It plays records accurately, it doesn’t skip, and it won’t chew up your vinyl. When you’re ready to upgrade in a year or two, you’ll have a better understanding of what you actually want from a turntable.

What about the LP60 with Bluetooth? There’s a wireless version called the AT-LP60XBT. I’d skip it. The whole point of vinyl is the analog signal path. Don’t digitise it and send it over Bluetooth to a speaker. Just run a cable.

The Speakers: Edifier R1280T ($99-120 AUD)

Powered bookshelf speakers are the secret weapon for budget turntable setups. Powered means the amplifier is built into the speaker, which eliminates the need for a separate amp or receiver. That saves you money and shelf space.

The Edifier R1280T is the one I recommend most. They’re available at JB Hi-Fi and online. The sound is warm without being muddy. The bass is present without being bloated. They’re not going to fill a warehouse, but for a bedroom or living room, they’re more than enough.

At this price point, you’re getting better sound than any portable Bluetooth speaker under $300. And because they have RCA inputs, connecting to the turntable is just a single cable.

Alternative: If you can stretch to $149, the Edifier R1280DB adds Bluetooth and optical inputs, which is handy if you want to use the same speakers for your TV or phone occasionally.

Putting It Together

Here’s the setup:

• Audio-Technica AT-LP60X: $199
• Edifier R1280T: $110 (average street price)
• RCA cable (comes with the turntable): $0
• Total: $309

That leaves you $191 under budget, which is exactly enough for 4-5 records to start your collection. I’d suggest spending it on music rather than gear upgrades at this stage.

Setup Tips That Actually Matter

Placement is everything. Put the turntable on a solid, level surface. Not on top of the speaker. Not on a wobbly Ikea shelf. A sturdy table or a dedicated piece of furniture. Vibrations from the speakers will travel through the surface and cause feedback and muddiness if the turntable is too close.

Keep the dust cover down while playing. Some people think you should lift it. Unless you’re in a completely dust-free environment (you’re not), keeping it down protects the record and the stylus.

Clean your records. Even new records benefit from a quick brush before playing. A carbon fibre brush costs about $20 and makes a noticeable difference. Dust in the groove means crackle and pop, and over time it wears out both the record and the stylus faster.

Replace the stylus when it needs it. The AT-LP60X stylus lasts about 500-700 hours of playing time. That’s a lot of records. But when it starts sounding dull or you notice increased surface noise, it’s time. A replacement stylus is about $35.

What About Second-Hand?

I love second-hand gear. Some of the best turntables ever made are available for next to nothing at op shops and on Gumtree. But here’s the caveat: buying vintage turntables requires some knowledge. You need to check the condition of the tonearm, the motor, the platter bearing, and the cartridge. A bad vintage turntable will sound worse — and potentially damage your records more — than a cheap new one.

If you know someone who understands turntables, absolutely go second-hand. A 1980s Technics SL-series in good condition with a fresh stylus will embarrass most new turntables at any price. But if you’re starting from zero knowledge, buy new, learn the format, and explore vintage later.

When to Upgrade

Don’t upgrade anything for at least six months. Seriously. Play records. Learn what you like about the sound and what you don’t. Read about cartridges, phono preamps, and speaker positioning. Figure out whether you prefer a warm sound or a detailed one.

When you do upgrade, the single biggest improvement you can make is better speakers. The turntable and cartridge matter, but speakers are where you’ll hear the most dramatic difference.

After speakers, upgrade the turntable. After that, add a dedicated phono preamp. Each step will give you a noticeable improvement, and you’ll appreciate each one because you’ll have spent time learning what to listen for.

The worst thing you can do is spend $2,000 on gear before you know what you’re listening for. Start cheap, start today, and let your ears guide the upgrades.

Welcome to vinyl. Your wallet won’t thank me, but your ears will.