Why the Crosley C20 Turntable Should Be on the Design and Music Lover’s Wish List

Superior sound and thoughtful design make this turntable worth the price tag.
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Crosley Radio is perhaps best known for its portable, suitcase model turntables, but the recent resurgence of the vinyl business has prompted the Louisville, Kentucky-based company to set its sights on more serious audiophiles looking to invest in a more sophisticated product.

For those ready to make the upgrade, the company offers the C20, a two-speed, manual turntable with a price tag of $559.95. It’s the fourth and latest addition to the C-Series product line, which boasts higher-quality components, craftsmanship, and sound.

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Aesthetically, the C20 is an undeniably handsome product featuring a genuine zebrano wood veneer plinth, a 11 ¾" solid acrylic platter, and a clear dust cover that keeps everything in view even when the tunes are paused. Shock-absorbent feet keep the turntable steady, while superior parts such as a Pro-ject aluminum tonearm with adjustable counterweights and a pre-mounted Ortofon OM5e cartridge ensure crisp, full-bodied sound. The built-in Phono stage offers USB and Line outputs with cables included.

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While the C20 plays 33 1/3 and 45 RPM, to switch between speeds the user has to remove the platter and adjust the belt by hand, which can prove to be a pain when playing singles. Besides this hiccup, however, the C20 is a strong contender in the world of audio, offering impressive sound, good looks, and durability.

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To get your hands on a C20, click here.

Jenny Xie
Dwell Contributor
Jenny Xie is the author of the novel Holding Pattern, a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 Honoree. She’s received fellowships from Bread Loaf, Yaddo, and MacDowell, among other organizations.

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