It was an inevitable comparison that needed to be done badly. Most cheap record players tend to sport a Chuo Denshi CZ800, a ceramic cartridge. Some, if lucky, may sport an Audio-Technica AT3600 moving magnet cartridge instead. First clip demonstrates the sound quality from the AT3600, from a 1994 Kenwood P-100 mini-turntable. It's a very popular MM cartridge, and some of Crosley's models use this cartridge, as well as some entry level turntables. Second clip demonstrates the sound quality from the CZ800, from a 2016 Victrola 6-in-1 Turntable. This is the most common cartridge used in many budget turntables, including most of Crosley/Victrola's lineup. The CZ800 actually sounds pretty decent if used on a proper setup, as vwestlife demonstrates in the video linked below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nsPGILzrRs Song is September by Earth, Wind & Fire, from the Greatest Hits Vol 1 LP. RAW RECORDINGS: AT3600: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6ezlq2ofpfzb4t1/ewf_september_at3600.mp3?dl=0 CZ800: https://www.dropbox.com/s/n1ekdfgn53o5w3d/ewf_september_cz800.mp3?dl=0 As for recommendations, i strongly recommend a vintage turntable, as most have better upgrade options, but if you ABSOLUTELY want a modern turntable like a CROSLEY or any sub-$200 turntable, make sure it has an AT3600 cartridge (it will state it has a moving magnet cartridge, or a magnetic cartridge in the specifications). Also make sure you adjust the tracking weight. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85Y8MUwsWDw

... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiM56DZakII

... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US2TEzxuFVQ

... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i7bSZqfY9U