Teac Analog Turntable, Matte Black

TEAC offers a range of turntables. This one sneaks in under the radar with the best value. Ignore the "SE", this is the same as the TN-300 apart from the available colors (no gloss options) It comes with a decent "DJ" cartridge, the AT95E, which is definitely better than the no-name one in the TN-200 or 100. It's still fine for regular rock or classical albums. It is a different color cartridge to the AT95E available separately on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-At95e-Phonograph-Cartridge/dp/B004NRVUMI/) but that's to differentiate the after market one with the one that comes with the turntable. Unpacking - lots of packaging here, but you still need to take care when taking everything out and putting it together. The belt is already on the underside of the platter, not in a separate bag, just needs to be stretched on to the motor spindle when installing the platter. Connection - I plugged this into my home stereo system, wall mounted speakers for the TV. Sound - it plays back all my LPs with no problem, sounds as good as I ever remember them being. Lots of fun for the rest of the family to see it turn and hear them. This has the straight tone arm. Supposedly the S shaped arm available on higher models make them better at tracking warped records with less stress on the grooves, but I think it's mostly a style thing now. There is an adapter for Jukebox 45s (wide center hole) in the box, but there is nowhere to store it on the turntable itself - need to save it somewhere with the albums. Higher models - I did some homework before choosing this one. - the TN400 has different colors and a better cartridge. The TN550 has a servo controlled motor, so speed regulation will be much better (the TN-300 and below are hand calibrated, could drift over time). All together, this is a solidly made, great value turntable.