The first key element to consider in a turntable is what type of motor you want spinning the platter upon which the record lays. In a belt-drive system (shown above), the motor is physically separate from the platter and connected by an elastic belt that spins the platter. In a direct-drive system, the platter and spindle are directly connected to a motor located underneath them.
Both methods have pros and cons; in the price ranges we test for our guide to the best turntables and record players, most of our picks, like the Fluance RT85N, are belt-drive models. But your choice will depend on your priorities.
Belt-drive turntables are arguably more common and popular in home environments, while DJs tend to use direct-drive systems. Belt turntables are generally cheaper, and their design can isolate the record and stylus from any potential motor noise and vibration. You may even have the novelty of being able to watch the platter engage with the belt-drive motor (music with a show!).
However, belt-driven motors work with what is essentially a large rubber band, which can break or stretch over time or if your turntable is mishandled. If it does, you’ll need to replace it; while lots of third-party belts are available, the safest bet is to get a replacement directly from the manufacturer. A new belt is typically inexpensive and simple to install, but this can be annoying, and it means your turntable will be out of commission while you wait for the new belt to arrive. Belt drives tend to work best with heavy, high-quality platters because the friction required to begin rotation is greater, causing the belt drive and platter to have stronger connection.
A good direct-drive turntable, like the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB or Pioneer DJ PLX-500, produces more consistent speed, eliminating the distortions caused by the fluctuating speed of the platter’s rotation (known as wow and flutter), which in extreme cases can ruin the experience of vinyl listening. Because direct-drive turntable systems have the motor placed directly underneath the platter, they can get to the correct speed much more quickly and maintain their speed consistently regardless of the platter’s weight.
Having the motor connected directly to the platter may allow noise and vibration from the motor to travel up into the record and the stylus, adversely affecting the quality of sound from your turntable — but a good direct-drive turntable controls the vibration well enough that it won’t produce audible noise from your speakers.
Direct-drive turntables tend to be more flexible in terms of their ability to accommodate all common record speeds (33, 45, and 78 rpm), their ability to fine-tune the playback speed, their ability to reverse the platter’s spin by hand without fear of malfunction (belts have a propensity to slip during this action), and their overall reliability over time. DJs invariably use direct-drive turntables for these reasons.