Compare mid-range turntables (for budgets under €700)

Comparison: mid-range turntables

First we brought you a comparison of entry-level turntables. Now it’s time to devote some time to comparing mid-range record players in this new shopping guide. We will compare two flagship models: the RPM 3 by Pro-Ject, and the Rega RP3

This guide will help you compare the technical details, strengths, weaknesses and specific musical features of each of these record players. It also contains recommendations of the best equipment to pair with your future turntable for maximum performance, as well as customer reviews. We hope that it will help you narrow down your options and find your ideal turntable!

 

Comparative table of mid-range turntables

 

 

 

Pro-Ject RPM 3 Carbon Turntable

Pro-Ject RPM 3 turntable

 

Recently awarded (and quite rightly) the EISA Award for Best Turntable 2015-2016, the RPM 3 Carbon turntable does not deal in excess. It has clearly been designed from a purely audiophile standpoint! The combination of a decoupled motor, S-shaped carbon fibre tonearm and the excellent 2M Silver cartridge make it one of the very best record players in its range. And if you want proof, you need look no further - it is (to date) the least expensive turntable in the world with a 10-inch tonearm!

Pro-Ject has also recently released a dust cover to protect the RPM 3 Carbon from dust, available on maPlatine.com. In order to get the most out of your record player, we recommend that you replace the phono cable that connects the turntable to your phono preamplifier. The Connect It RCA CC by Pro-Ject (again!) is the perfect man for the job, and significantly improves sound quality.

 

Customer review:

‘This is a great turntable, and I love the shape (Mickey Mouse shape + S-shaped tonearm). It’s been a pleasant surprise to rediscover my old records. I’d like to thank the maPlatine.com team for their helpful advice, and for the speedy, high quality delivery. And the turntable was already set up by a technician before delivery, so it was ready to go when it arrived - great job!’ ’

The Rega RP3 Turntable

 

Rega RP3 turntable

 

The Rega RP3 turntable is a flagship product from the renowned British brand Rega. And it wears its manufacturer’s colours proudly and with plenty of musicality. It also has the advantage of being very user-friendly. The stripped-back, minimalist design reflects the famous Rega philosophy: ‘Less is more’. Its fantastic dynamic range will blow you away, no matter what genre of music you like to play. We think the RP3 turntable has fully earned its ‘Product of the Year’ award from the renowned WhatHiFi magazine.

This record player does not come as standard with a cartridge, but on request we can fit it with a Rega cartridge (Bias, Elys or Exact), or even a cartridge by another brand! We will personally take care of the installation and setup of a spacer if one is required. We also recommend the Rega TT-PSU power supply unit, as it will significantly improve all aspects of your sound quality. Lastly, the RP3 must be installed on a perfectly rigid surface. We recommend the highly effective Rega wall mount.

Customer review:

‘This turntable is very easy to use and has a lot of musicality. It sounds great with the Elys 2 cartridge. I was given flawless advice by Franck, as well as a meticulous setup and quick and secured delivery. Thank you maPlatine.com!’

 

*****

 

Each of these turntables has its own distinct features.  You should base your decision on your tastes and the changes you may wish to make to your Hi-Fi system in the future. We hope that this guide has been useful in finding the best turntable for you from our selection of record players in this range.

 

See also:

- Comparison: entry-level turntables (for budgets under €500)

- Comparison: high-end turntables 

       > High-end turntables on a €1200 budget

       > High-end turntables on a €1500 budget

       > High-end turntables on a €2700 budget

- Comparison: turntables in the Prestige range (budget over €3000)