Top Premium Turntables of 2025: Unleash the Best Vinyl Experience

Explore the finest premium turntables of 2025 to elevate your vinyl listening experience. Discover top picks tested by experts.

Your Guide to Premium Turntables

When it comes to your Hi-Fi setup and love of vinyl records, achieving the highest sound quality from your treasured collection is your ultimate goal. To accomplish this, a high-quality turntable is essential.

Since its inception in 1976, What Hi-Fi? has been testing turntables, and our experienced team of reviewers understands how profoundly a finely crafted turntable can transform sound. With each detail of the vinyl coming to life, it’s crucial that the rest of your system matches this high standard to maximize the potential of your new premium turntable.

We’ve curated a list for audiophiles interested in the best high-end turntables that have graced our testing rooms over the years.

Considerations for High-End Turntables

High-end turntables aren’t plug-and-play models like budget decks; they require careful consideration. You’ll need to visit a specialist retailer to choose your cartridge and sometimes even the tonearm, which is why you won’t see our usual price widgets below—customization and pricing can vary. We recommend familiarizing yourself with your new turntable before making such a significant purchase and seeking personalized advice from your specialist dealer.

Whether you have the budget to indulge in this esoteric hobby or are simply browsing and dreaming about your ideal deck, read on for the stunning high-quality turntables we’ve reviewed and recommend.

Each turntable featured in this guide has been tested, used, and listened to by our skilled team of experts in specially equipped listening rooms. So you can trust that our reviews are based on real experiences. Below, you can find our detailed advice on what to consider when selecting a high-quality turntable, as well as more about our testing process.

Best High-End Turntables

1. Linn Klimax LP12

A classic turntable that remains one of the best high-quality turntables we’ve ever tested.

Specifications

• Type: Belt Drive
• Control: Manual
• Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45
• Speed Switching: Electronic
• Cartridge: Reference MC from Kandid
• Tonearm: Ekos SE
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 14 x 44.5 x 35.6 cm
• Weight: 10 kg
• Finishes: 5 standard (oak, cherry, black ash, rosewood, walnut); 2+ special (piano black, alpine white, or any other high-gloss color of your choice)

Pros

• Informative and dynamic presentation
• Sensational dynamics
• Excellent build quality and finish

Cons

• One of the most expensive models on this list

First introduced in 1973, the LP12 continues to impress as a powerful and meticulously constructed turntable that can outperform many modern models. It has been updated and upgraded over the years, but its quality and performance have remained impeccable. Even with a five-figure price tag, the Klimax LP12 offers exceptional value and is one of the best high-end turntables we’ve ever tested.

In this configuration, the base deck (known as the Sondek LP12) is paired with the Ekos SE tonearm and Kandid moving coil cartridge. Additionally, it includes the Urika phono stage, Radikal power supply, and Keel chassis, collectively making this turntable truly high-end.

As of 2023, the model was priced at 2,760,000 rubles, and it’s worth every cent. It impresses with its precision and fluidity, beautifully crafted (the turntable’s tube is made of titanium), and sounds astonishingly musical. Over the years, resolution, dynamics, and transparency have improved, resulting in a high-quality turntable that never loses its composure.

If you’re searching for scale, power, passion, and an array of sonic effects, the Klimax LP12 is a surefire winner.

2. Rega Planar 10/Apheta 3

A radical approach to the design of a high-end turntable.

Specifications

• Type: Belt Drive
• Control: Manual
• Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45
• Speed Switching: Electronic
• Cartridge: Apheta 3 MC
• Tonearm: RB3000
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 11.5 x 42 x 35 cm
• Weight: 4.7 kg
• Finishes: 2 (matte white and matte polar gray)

Pros

• Honest and insightful
• Rhythmic
• Impressive engineering

Cons

• Aesthetics may not appeal to everyone

Rega has garnered numerous awards for its more modest offerings, but the combination of Planar 10/Apheta 3 sets incredibly high standards for its price, providing ample opportunities for analysis and detail.

The Planar 10, a flagship in the company’s lineup, is well-made and visually striking. You can purchase the Planar 10 without a cartridge, but the Rega Apheta 3 will be the ideal complement. Prices start from 884,500 rubles.

There’s a lot to appreciate: a solid aluminum platter with a hardened steel spindle running inside a special brass housing. Regarding the belt, Rega spent three years developing the material used.

In terms of sound, it offers abundant transparency, resolution, and dynamic expressiveness. It’s a natural and balanced performance, mature and authoritative, with plenty of low frequencies.

Overall, this high-end turntable is the best you can buy for the money. And if you appreciate the artistic design, this model is for you.

3. Technics SL-1000R

This exquisitely designed turntable boasts incredible performance.

Specifications

• Type: Direct Drive
• Control: Automatic
• Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45, 78
• Speed Switching: Electronic
• Cartridge: Kiseki Purple Heart MC (additional)
• Tonearm: Universal Static S-Type
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 18.8 x 53.1 x 39.9 cm
• Weight: 40.2 kg
• Finish: 1 (silver)

Pros

• Dense, cohesive sound
• Detailed bass, immense drive
• Quality build and finish

Cons

• Cartridge sleeve not included

At the pinnacle of Technics turntables is the SL-1000R. It’s not budget-friendly, and its hefty weight of 40 kg means you’ll likely need an extra pair of hands to move it. From the magnesium S-shaped tonearm to the adjustable feet, the build quality and finish are as precise as a Japanese bullet train.

Unlike other high-end turntables, Technics opted for a direct drive motor instead of a belt drive, but every measure has been taken to minimize vibration. Technics was the first to develop a direct drive turntable in the '70s, and the SL-1000R offers excellent speed stability at 33.3, 45, and 78 RPM. It features a three-layer platter weighing 7.9 kg and comes with an external power supply. As with most options in the price range of 2,100,000 rubles, you will need to purchase your cartridge separately.

The sound quality of the SL-1000R is very rich and melodic. We were impressed by its dense, well-articulated bass and remarkable scale and power. It may seem expensive, but the SL-1000R rivals any competitor in this price range. Truly a fantastic beast.

4. Vertere Acoustics MG-1 MkII/Mystic

Stunning design paired with captivating, energetic high-quality sound.

Specifications

• Type: Belt Drive
• Control: Manual
• Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45
• Speed Switching: Electronic
• Cartridge: Mystic MC
• Tonearm: SG-1 MkII
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 14 x 47 x 39 cm
• Weight: 13.6 kg
• Finishes: 4 (transparent, metallic black, pearlescent white, champagne)

Pros

• Clear, detailed sound
• Rhythmic and dynamic
• Beautiful design

Cons

• Requires care during setup
• Certain finishes come with additional costs

Originally focused on high-quality cables, Vertere has over 35 years of experience and knows a thing or two about quality turntables. The MG-1 MkII is a beautiful entry into high-quality turntables, delivering astonishingly clean and convincing sound.

Designed to impress, it’s filled with pleasure details: from the three-layer acrylic build that reduces vibration to the removable central spindle on the platter, which prevents direct noise transfer from the bearing to the record surface.

It pairs best with Vertere’s proprietary Mystic moving coil cartridge, crafted from solid aluminum for perfect tracking with a frequency response of 2.0 Hz, and is easy to install thanks to threaded bolts.

The sound is incredibly lively, leaving us awestruck by the level of dynamic expression. This high-end turntable has enough energy to effortlessly reproduce each crescendo.

For the asking price, you’ll struggle to find anything better than this Vertere package, even with recent price increases to £11,950 - £12,950 (around 1,340,000 - 1,425,000 rubles) depending on your chosen finish.

5. VPI Prime 21+

Clear, precise, bold—VPI has refined an already excellent turntable.

Specifications

• Type: Belt Drive
• Control: Manual
• Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45
• Speed Switching: Manual
• Cartridge: VPI Shyla MC
• Tonearm: VPI Weisline
• Dimensions: 54.5 x 40 cm
• Weight: Not specified
• Finishes: 2 (black, walnut)

Pros

• Bold and controlled presentation
• Dynamic expression and insight
• Sturdy construction

Cons

• Rega and Vertere offer more impact and energy

The new VPI Prime 21+ is built upon one of our favorite turntables, featuring an updated design that enhances performance and usability.

For clarity, there are actually two versions of this deck. The "21+" model costs around £6,500 (580,000 rubles) and includes a brand new moving coil cartridge, the VPI Shyla, and a Weisline tonearm. The base "21" model lacks these two options but is much cheaper, around 400,000 rubles.

If you can afford the 21+ model, you won’t be disappointed. It’s designed to sing, and like previous VPI Prime turntables, it delivers high clarity and precision. The sound is rich and full without being excessive, with powerful, deep tones, making it one of the leaders in its category.

It may not have the same power as the Vertere MG-1 or the rhythmic snap of the outstanding Rega Planar 10 (both listed above), but the VPI Prime 21+ combines impressive power with ease of setup and plenty of included accessories. For these reasons, it should be on your shortlist.

6. Clearaudio Ovation

A modest exterior gives way to exceptional high-end talents.

Specifications

• Type: Belt Drive
• Control: Manual
• Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45, 78
• Speed Switching: Electronic
• Cartridge: Talismann v2 Gold MC
• Tonearm: Clearaudio Precision
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 13.5 x 42 x 35 cm
• Weight: 13.5 kg
• Finishes: 2 (black, silver, and wooden)

Pros

• Build quality and finish
• Innovative engineering
• Energetic sound

Cons

• Modest appearance

The Clearaudio Ovation is the "Clark Kent" of high-end turntables: its superpowers are cleverly hidden beneath a plain exterior. It’s a stunningly versatile turntable packed with clever engineering solutions. When it comes to cartridge selection, you have plenty to choose from—Clearaudio offers a wide and impressive lineup so you can upgrade if your budget allows. In 2014, the Ovation was priced around 710,000 rubles, while the Talismann v2 Gold moving coil cartridge cost over 110,000 rubles.

The build quality is practically bulletproof. The Ovation pedestal features a multi-layer design of two aluminum plates sandwiching a layer of Panzerholz (a dense, carefully processed wood considered bulletproof). This also serves as an effective damping material.

How does it sound? Exquisite, energetic, with a punch and enthusiasm that contradicts its sleek design. A no-maintenance deck that delivers a full-bodied sound. On a budget? You might also consider the four-star Clearaudio Active MM, which sounds fantastic, considering it costs about half as much as this deck.

7. SME Model 60

Meticulous evolutionary development has led to one of the world’s most functional turntables.

Specifications

• Type: Belt Drive
• Control: Manual
• Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45
• Speed Switching: Electronic
• Cartridge: Ortofon Windfeld Ti MC (additional)
• Tonearm: SME 5A
• Dimensions: 21.2 x 55.7 x 41.7 cm
• Weight: 48 kg
• Finishes: 3+ (black, silver, "diamond" silver, various color options)

Pros

• Exceptional detail
• Outstanding sound mastery and control
• Flawless build quality and finish

Cons

• May be unforgiving with poor records and pressings
• Price makes it unattainable for most

SME doesn’t release many new products, but when they do, they are meticulously designed and typically remain in production for decades. The SME Model 60 is a flawless evolution of their flagship model from 30 years ago, utilizing modern manufacturing techniques and materials when necessary. This is evident in the 5A tonearm, crafted from high-tech polymer resin that effectively dampens and reduces resonance.

SME doesn’t manufacture its own cartridges; hence, we tested this package (priced around 4,500,000 rubles) with the Ortofon Windfeld Ti moving coil cartridge. Yes, it’s an expensive setup, but the build quality is exceptional, and you’ll need a suitable accessory kit to get the most out of it. While the SME 60 is a precision instrument, it still possesses an aura of something meant to be passed down through generations even with heavy use.

In sound, we experience a massive presentation and a breathtaking combination of power and authority that allows the dramatic nature of the piece to fully manifest. The Model 60 is nearly brutal in how it reproduces the wild dynamic shifts of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, yet at no point does it sound like it lacks complete control. It extracts every ounce of information from the record groove, convincingly transporting us through time and space at the moment the music was recorded. Although it tends more towards a perceptive, analytical approach (uncovering any defects in pressing or recording), the Model 60 still has enough energy to entertain and keep us listening.

8. Rega Naia/Aphelion 2

An exceptional turntable from Rega sets the highest standard for clarity and transparency.

Specifications

• Type: Belt Drive
• Control: Manual
• Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45
• Speed Switching: Electronic
• Cartridge: Aphelion 2 MC
• Tonearm: RB Titan
• Dimensions: 12.5 x 42 x 35 cm
• Weight: 4.65 kg
• Finishes: 1 (black)

Pros

• Exceptional clarity and detail
• Transparency and naturalness
• Bold style

Cons

• High-frequency sound profile attracts more than low-end
• Foam edges look a bit unfinished

Naia was the result of engineering research by Rega aimed at creating a no-compromise turntable that embodies the brand's long-standing principles—low mass and high rigidity, taken to the extreme. The demand for this conceptual model was so high that only 50 handmade units were produced.

Thus, Naia is the ready-to-manufacture version of Naiad for the mass market. It features the same skeleton-based structure as the Planar 10 (mentioned above), but utilizes new technology in every other aspect. First, there’s the skeleton-based foundation which now uses carbon fiber infused with graphene to protect the foam core. Next, a refined ceramic base with a unique shape concentrates most of the mass at the periphery, enhancing the flywheel effect and speed stability. The new titanium tonearm boasts a lighter and stiffer design, but it’s the precision and low friction of the titanium main bearings that impress the most. A triple belt, external power supply, and integrated Aphelion 2 MC cartridge complete the package. Overall, with the cartridge, Naia retails for 2,411,370 rubles.

It’s a magnificent achievement. This turntable sounds incredibly insightful and naturally clear, providing a best-in-class level of information without becoming dull. It delivers maneuverability and articulation in space, offering substantial scale and power when the music calls for it. Some might wish for a bit more rhythmic drive; don’t get us wrong, this deck confidently and reliably reproduces rhythm tracks, but compared to a competitor like Vertere Acoustics MG-1 MkII/Mystic (see above), it sounds somewhat restrained.

However, this Rega is the result of truly ambitious and purpose-driven development, and it’s a must-listen for anyone interested in how good vinyl can sound.

How to Choose the Best High-End Turntable?

Let’s start with the main point: If you’re already eyeing a high-quality turntable and browsing this page, you know your budget is in the six- to seven-figure range. So, while the sum may be high, the budget still matters because the turntable should match—or dictate—the rest of your Hi-Fi system.

When purchasing a high-end turntable, several key factors should be considered. Generally, the higher the price, the better the materials used. And in terms of performance, you can expect realism, detail, and authenticity in sound that more affordable models can’t provide.

Many models at this level may not come with a tonearm or cartridge, which means you will need to factor in additional (and potentially quite significant) costs for these essential additions. We noted that the cartridge and tonearm were included with each turntable we reviewed, but manufacturers may recommend other options. Some brands, like Rega, suggest their own tonearms and cartridges for high-end turntables like the Naia, while many others do not manufacture their own cartridges and instead recommend other reputable brands. Be sure to check our list of top cartridges for alternatives, not to mention finding the perfect match for phono stages.

You may notice that pricing is a complex issue when you start considering purchasing a high-quality turntable. Such exotic items are often only available from a few specialist shops and dealers who deal in high-end Hi-Fi gear. In this case, we always strongly recommend consulting with a dealer who can recommend accessories (cartridge, tonearm, phono stage) for each turntable you choose. We would always suggest listening to the deck at these prices, and again, the dealer can demonstrate various combinations of cartridges and tonearms to help you find a sound you love. After all, it’s quite a significant purchase. Some retailers may even allow you to take the turntable home for a short time (in which case they will likely take a deposit), but you won’t know unless you ask.

Once you decide and purchase your new turntable, you’ll want to know how to properly set it up for optimal performance from your vinyl system. Again, for high-end turntables at this level, you will need a qualified dealer to set up your turntable. Most dealers will do this for a fee (or it may be included in the price, depending on the brand), but this final step is worth the time and care your new turntable deserves to ensure it’s set up correctly.

How We Test High-End Turntables

What Hi-Fi? has been reviewing turntables for nearly 50 years since our first magazine issue in 1976. Our editorial team has over 100 years of collective experience in reviewing, testing, and writing about consumer electronics—from speakers to headphones and televisions, including many high-end turntables.

We test high-end turntables just like any others: in our state-of-the-art testing labs in London and Reading, where the rooms are equipped for acoustic testing, along with a proven reference Hi-Fi system and a warehouse full of award-winning products and five-star competitors across every price point and product category. We ensure that each turntable is properly set up according to the manufacturer's instructions, with the tonearm and cartridge included (or we use a recommended cartridge if possible). We make sure each deck is placed on a level surface and connect it to appropriately priced electronics and speakers (usually our reference system). We spend as much time as necessary with each turntable, fully assessing its quality, playing various records and genres, using different amplifiers and speakers to ensure we’re getting the most from them and can give thorough recommendations to our readers.

All new high-end turntables are tested against competing turntables at the same price, where possible, and equipped with either the included cartridge or a premium cartridge.

We always conduct reviews as a team. All our reviews are composed by our in-house team, and every turntable is listened to by more than one reviewer. All final verdicts are also made by the team to eliminate any personal subjectivity and ensure thoroughness and consistency in our tests and evaluations. Neither manufacturers nor PR teams nor commercial teams are involved in our reviews. What Hi-Fi? has been publishing independent, honest, and unbiased reviews for nearly five decades. So, if you choose to purchase one of the turntables recommended on this page, you can trust you’re buying a product approved by What Hi-Fi?.

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