Crosley
Crosley C6 Review
A beginner turntable that can be a solid first step up if you want adjustability without spending a lot.
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Quick Specs
Hover over ⓘ to learn what each means
- Drive Type ⓘ Belt drive = quieter listening, great for home use. Direct drive = instant start/stop, good if you want to DJ or scratch records.
- belt
- Speeds ⓘ This tells you which records you can play. 33 RPM plays full albums, 45 RPM plays singles. If it includes 78, you can also play old vintage records from your grandparents' collection.
- 33, 45 RPM
- Built-in Preamp ⓘ Yes = plug directly into any speakers and you're ready to go. No = you'll need to buy a separate phono preamp or use a receiver with a 'phono' input.
- Yes
- USB Output ⓘ Yes = you can plug into your computer and save your vinyl as digital files to listen on your phone. No = vinyl only, no digital copies.
- No
- Cartridge ⓘ This is the part that actually touches your records. A good cartridge means better sound quality. You can always upgrade this later without buying a new turntable.
- Included
Our Take
Crosley has a mixed reputation in vinyl circles — largely because of their suitcase players, which can damage records. The C6 is a different product. It's a proper turntable form factor with an adjustable tonearm, anti-skate control, and a removable headshell. It's not a suitcase player, and it shouldn't be judged as one.
That said, it is still a budget deck, and expectations should be set accordingly. The included cartridge is basic, build quality is lighter than Fluance or Audio-Technica at similar price points, and the configuration varies by bundle. It's a fine first turntable for someone who wants a real deck at a low cost and plans to upgrade later.
Skip it if you want to buy once and own it for years. Consider it if budget is tight and you want a proper turntable form factor rather than a novelty all-in-one.
Sound Quality
The C6 sounds like a budget entry-level deck — which is exactly what it is. Mids are present and listenable; highs can be a bit rolled off depending on the cartridge variant. It's notably better than suitcase players, which is a low bar but a meaningful one. For casual playback of albums you just want to hear, it works. Don't expect it to reveal detail that pricier decks will find — it's not designed for that. The best upgrade path if you keep this deck long-term is a cartridge swap.
Setup and Ease of Use
Setup is beginner-friendly: the built-in preamp means you connect directly to powered speakers or a receiver. The adjustable tonearm needs to be balanced (counterweight set) before use — this is covered in the manual and takes about five minutes. Anti-skate should be set to match tracking force. One thing to watch: verify the cartridge tracking force is set correctly out of the box, as this affects both sound quality and record wear.
What We Like
- ✓ Good starter value with adjustable tonearm
- ✓ More real turntable feel than suitcase players
- ✓ Usually includes useful adjustment features
What Could Be Better
- ✗ Quality varies by bundle/version
- ✗ Not a long-term audiophile deck
Best For
Beginners who want a traditional turntable experience under $200
Sold Out on Amazon?
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