Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB-BK Direct-Drive Turntable (Analog & USB), Fully Manual, Hi-Fi, 3 Speed, Convert Vinyl to Digital, Anti-Skate and Variable Pitch Control, Black

YMMV, but when I look at the current details on the AT-LP120XUSB on Amazon, I see an option to pay with Amazon payments of $60.84/mo for five months; no interest or credit check. (First payment, charged immediately upon purchase, will be higher due to including the entire sales tax for the $304.20 purchase price, though.) Don't know if that changes anything for you or not. https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120XUSB-Direct-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Skate/dp/B07N3S4X3P EDIT: I've taken advantage of such payment options on Amazon a few times in the past, including currently for my Yamaha receiver. Takes the sting out of a larger purchase a bit sometimes, and without it costing anything extra.

The AT is 32% off during prime day so I’d likely do that one: https://amzn.to/4uZZKm6 The technics SL-40 is also 22% off but kills the budget since it’s 699 https://amzn.to/4we6CNY I bought my sl-100c during prime days a couple of years ago and been happy I am a big fan of adjustable VTA, though so none of these would be my choice… I’d do a music hall mmf mark 1 if it were me since you already have the AT cart https://richsrecordemporium.com/product/music-hall-mark-1-turntable/

If you must have a $175+ cartridge... AT-LP120X $305 from $399 for Prime Day if you have Prime https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120XUSB-Direct-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Skate/dp/B07N3S4X3P plus an upgrade to the red ML stylus is often preferred over the 2M Blue https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-VMN95ML-Microlinear-Replacement-Turntable/dp/B07JL2NPH5 Or also instead of Fluance RT85, the Project Debut Carbon EVO https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-Debut-Carbon-EVO-pre-Mounted/dp/B08FRL1KMH Or AT-LP5X https://www.crutchfield.com/S-7kkcNlw255m/p_057LP5X/Audio-Technica-AT-LP5X.html or AT-LPW50 https://www.crutchfield.com/p_057LPW50BT/Audio-Technica-LPW50BT-RW.html Amplification... For a turntable and a TV, an AVR with HDMI and WiFi starting at $299 https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/avreceiver/home-audio/receivers-amps/home-theater-receivers/1.html If you need a phono preamp then instead of Art DJ, the Emotiva PH1 $59 or Fosi X5 $109 or Schiit Mani $149. Speakers... What is the room length and width for the speakers? 6.5" Polk ES20 for a large room $319 https://www.accessories4less.com/?page=seek&id%5Bm%5D=pattern&id%5Bq%5D=es20 5.25" Polk R100 $499 for a medium size room are a step up from ES15 https://www.accessories4less.com/?page=seek&id%5Bm%5D=pattern&id%5Bq%5D=R100 Plus speaker stands from Monoprice or PartsExpress. Plus speaker wire 16 AWG or optional thicker 14 AWG. Then How To Strip Speaker Wire and How to Install Speaker Wire. Optional subwoofer to add later, RSL Speedwoofer 10E $339 https://rslspeakers.com/products/rsl-speedwoofer-10e Speaker Placement • Intro to Home Stereo Systems • Turntable and Speakers Setup Guide • Record Cleaning • Audio Guides

Cheap Victrola with a $5 mechanism with a cheap ceramic cartridge and a cheap sapphire stylus and cheap built in speakers are not middle of the road, they are bottom of the barrel junk. Why would you listen to records on junk? The sound quality will be the lowest. Watch the PSA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXV8tXrPOR4 If you want good sound then the popular entry level AT-LP120X is on sale today $305 from $399 for Prime Day if you have Prime https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120XUSB-Direct-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Skate/dp/B07N3S4X3P If that's too much for you then the basic entry level AT-LP70X $195 is fully automatic and is easy setup beginner plug and play https://outlet.audio-technica.com/turntables/at-lp70x-bz-cr Plus a good pair of powered speakers. 6.5" Dayton M6 $299 are a good compliment for the AT-LP120X https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-M6-Powered-Speaker-Pair-Black-300-462 Or lower cost 6.5" Dayton B65A $129 if you need lower cost for the AT-LP120X or AT-LP70X https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-Classic-B65A-Powered-Bookshelf-Speaker-Pair-Black-300-260 Speaker Placement • Intro to Home Stereo Systems • Turntable and Speakers Setup Guide • Record Cleaning • Audio Guides

$399 direct from Audio-Technica, or $304.20 from Amazon during the current Prime Days sale going on right now. https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120XUSB-Direct-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Skate/dp/B07N3S4X3P

If you don't mind $350, I'd skip the LP70X. No user adjustments on it. No VTF/anti-skate dial-in. Cart is permanently fixed and can't be changed out or even adjusted for alignment. The others you're looking at allow all those things and are ones you can grow with. EDIT: I bought the RT82 you mentioned back in December 2022 and have been happy with it. Although honestly I'm itching to upgrade to something nicer. But it's a solid TT at its price point. The LP120X also has plenty of fans and also seems like a good choice if you can get it at the right price ($350 seems fair to me if you're seeing it for that). EDIT 2: I see the AT-LP120XUSB is actually on sale right now on Amazon for Prime Days for $319. If you like the styling, I don't see how you could go wrong at that price. https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120XUSB-Direct-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Skate/dp/B07N3S4X3P

$28 over budget... AT-LP120X turntable $399 https://www.crutchfield.com/p_057120XUSB/Audio-Technica-LP-120XUSB-Black.html?tp=75887 Plus 6.5" Dayton B65A powered speakers $129 in black or wood finish https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-Classic-B65A-Powered-Bookshelf-Speaker-Pair-Black-300-260 ---------- In budget if you have Amazon Prime... AT-LP120X turntable $319 Prime Day Sale https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120XUSB-Direct-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Skate/dp/B07N3S4X3P Plus 6.5" Dayton B65A powered speakers $129 in black or wood finish https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-Classic-B65A-Powered-Bookshelf-Speaker-Pair-Black-300-260 Or passive speakers and a mini amp that adds subwoofer output and you can later upgrade one part at a time: Fosi $89 mini amp https://www.parts-express.com/Fosi-Audio-MC101-Bluetooth-Stereo-Amplifier-100W-x-2-235-268?quantity=1 6.5" Dayton B65 $79 passive speakers in black or wood finish https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-Classic-B65-Bookshelf-Speaker-Pair-Wood-300-255?quantity=1 ---------- Speaker Placement • Intro to Home Stereo Systems • Turntable and Speakers Setup Guide • Record Cleaning • Audio Guides