The Technics SL-1500C Turntable is more deserving of the ‘Technics’ badge than anything the company’s done in a while - it's that good.

At the end of my listening session, one thing became clear: This is an awesome turntable. If I were looking for something in this price range, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the SL-1500C. The only downsides are the odd built-in phonostage, which can be bypassed, and the tonearm lifting/lowering mechanism, which could be sturdier. However, the tonearm itself is very solid and can accommodate a wide variety of cartridges and headshells. Pacing and dynamics are spot on, tight, focused, laser-sharp, and just overall in that sweet spot. The SL-1500C is no fuss, no hassle, easy to use, easy to set up—a no-brainer recommendation.

The Technics SL-1500C has a lot to offer the budding record collector. Budget-conscious shoppers can get started using its internal phono stage so we are talking about a complete plug and play solution that sounds nicely balanced and incisive, capable of communicating the essence and importance of listening to records. Careful, one may just change your life. If the feeling ever arises, adding an outboard phono stage can improve the SL-1500C’s performance, but I’d recommend only doing so when you’re running out of room for your record collection.

If you’re after a great sounding but fuss-free record player below a grand, the SL-1500C is a great buy

Spending £900/$1199 for an entry-level turntable sounds expensive, but then this is no ordinary entry-level turntable. From top to bottom, the SL-1500C oozes the kind of quality that Technics is renowned for. If you're serious about vinyl, it should definitely be on your shortlist.