Audio-Technica AT-LP120 is the right answer for a first table.
- It's built like a tank
- It has built in pre-amp
- You can change 33 - 45 at the touch of a button and you have a spindle adaptor as well
- You have pitch shift (Listening to Aphex Twin slowed down is awesome)
- The cartridge can be taken off and put on very easily (it can even be stored on the deck itself, for transport)
- Very cheap for everything it brings to the table
At your price range, the fuss you have to go through with the other brands is not worth it.
The belt driven tables might have a better noise floor, but to start with, it's not worth the fuss.
I owned an Audio Technica LP-120 but I upgraded to a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon last year and it's a noticeable improvement. My advice would be to start with the Pro-Ject.
I have a Project Debut III with an upgraded cartridge myself, my nephew has an AT-LP120. For a beginner, the upgrade is not worth it.
The AT-LP120 is much more convenient to use.
Considering we are talking about the 300$ or lower priced Project turntables, these are some of the disadvantages:
* With the Project, if you want to change from 33 to 45 you have to:
- Take the record off and remove the slipmat
- Take the platter off
- Re-position the belt
- Put everything back
After the 3 or 4th time you do it, it gets super annoying.
On the AT you press a button.
* With the Project you also have to get a pre-amp, as it doesn't have one built in. A decent one is at least 100$.
* The Project also doesn't come with the spindle adapters to play 45's; that's another expense.
