Which model receiver?

Automatic turntables:

• Basic AT-LP60X $105 direct from the Audio Technica outlet is easy setup beginner plug and play.
• Better AT-LP3 $199 adds adjustable tracking force and a removable cartridge. Balance the tonearm then set the tracking force.

Better manual turntables:

• AT-LPW30TK $219.
• AT-LP120X $245.

These AT turntables all have a built in phono preamp so you can connect it to standard RCA input.

Or set the switch on the back of the turntable to Phono if your receiver has a Phono input and you want to use that instead, plus a ground cable connection.

Audio Guides, Speaker Placement, Accessories and Vinyl Care

Does $359 count as not much more than $300?

https://www.amazon.com/75-Watt-Powered-Bookshelf-Speakers-Bluetooth/dp/B08LV4SMH9

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LPW30TKR-Manual-Drive-Turntable/dp/B09RFHRTVB

You’re not going to do better for the money than that paring.

You don’t want to buy a bundle where the speakers come packaged with the turntable. The speakers in those sets are generic no-name Alibaba stuff… they won’t be as bad as the built in speakers in a Crosley but they will still be bad. And speakers are by far the most important piece of the setup in terms of sound quality, so bad speakers = bad system.

The Orbit is easy setup beginner plug and play. It lacks user adjustable tracking force, lacks a rotary dial on the tracking force adjustment, lacks a speed switch so you need to move the belt to the other pulley to change the speed, the cue lever is an extra $40, and adding options to increase the cost does not make the turntable itself, the tonearm and motor, any better.

Turntables that have the features that the Orbit is missing:

• AT-LPW30TK $219.
• Fluance RT82 $299 has auto stop and then an optical sensor speed controlled servo motor for lower wow and flutter and speed variation. Pass on the older RT80 and RT81 that lack the new speed sensor. Pass on the RT83 since the cartridge is not any better.
• Drop + Audio-Technica Carbon VTA Turntable $349 adds a better stylus, a carbon fiber tonearm, VTA adjustment and replaces some plastic parts with metal over the AT-LPW30TK.
• Pro-ject Debut Carbon EVO $437 open box on sale has better quailty components.

Audio Guides, Speaker Placement, Accessories and Vinyl Care

Pass on the basic entry level E, A and T that don't have very good adjustments since you can get a much better Project Debut Carbon EVO for $437 open box.

If the EVO is over budget then Fluance RT82 $299 has auto stop and then an optical sensor speed controlled servo motor for lower wow and flutter and speed variation. Pass on the older RT80 and RT81 that lack the new speed sensor. Pass on the RT83 since the cartridge is not any better.

Or lower budget AT-LPW30TK $219.

Or are you not in the USA? Which country for recommendations?

If low on budget after buying the turntable:

• AT-LPW30TK $219.
• AT-LP120X $255.
• Fluance RT82 $299 has auto stop and then an optical sensor speed controlled servo motor for lower wow and flutter and speed variation. Pass on the older RT80 and RT81 that lack the new speed sensor. Pass on the RT83 since the cartridge is not any better. Plus a $14 Pyle PP444 phono preamp is around the same quality as the one in the AT turntables.
• Drop + Audio-Technica Carbon VTA $349 adds a better stylus, a carbon fiber tonearm, VTA adjustment and replaces some plastic parts with metal over the AT-LPW30TK.

Connect any of those options to 5.25" Neumi BSP5 $139.

$200 for a turntable lands you on the Audio Technica LP60X, LPW30, LP3BK or Fluance RT80. Other sub $200 units like victrola, ion, crosely, lp&no1, marley etc are not worth buying.

instead of a headphone amp and a separate for speaker setup, look maybe at the Onkyo 8260 or Cambridge AXA35, both at 399 , add Jamo Concert9, Klipsch RP160M or Paradigm MonitorSE all at 299/pair. plus your headphones and wiring

Or are you interested in used kit?

Turntables and Speakers

Turntables:

• Basic automatic AT-LP60X $105 is easy setup beginner plug and play .
• Better automatic AT-LP3 $199 adds adjustable tracking force.
• Better manual AT-LPW30TK $219.

Powered speakers with Bluetooth:

5.25" mid bass driver powered speakers for a small to medium size room:

• Neumi BSP5 $139 with remote.
• Monoprice DT-5BT $119 have a headphone jack.

4" mid bass driver powered speakers for a small room or desktop setup:

• Insignia NS-HBTSS116 $79 with remote and subwoofer output.
• Edifier R1280DBs $129 with remote plus a subwoofer output and a digital optical input.
• Klipsch KD-400 $149 add USB input for a computer.

Audio Guides, Speaker Placement, Accessories and Vinyl Care