In this article, we’ll take a look at the Lenco LBT-345WA turntable and help you decide if it’s the perfect entry-level turntable for you. We’ll go over its design and features, how to set it up and give you a few comparisons to others on the market so you can make an informed decision when investing in your new turntable.

Vinyl Is Back!

Vinyl has been making a huge comeback over the past few years. Whether it’s the warmer, more natural sound or the satisfying experience of physically handling records, there’s just something special about it. In fact, vinyl sales have been growing steadily, even outpacing CDs. But if you’re new to turntables, you might be wondering where to start.

The truth is, a good turntable doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The Lenco LBT-345WA is a fantastic entry-level option that balances affordability, quality, and modern features like Bluetooth. It’s designed for beginners but still delivers great sound, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to dive into the world of vinyl without breaking the bank.

More Lenco Options at Even Lower Prices

If you're looking for an even more budget-friendly turntable, Lenco offers a variety of models at lower prices with different features and for people with different needs. You can check out our full selection here. As you look through their lineup, you’ll notice that some come with a pair of speakers, some offer built-in speakers, and some are direct drive units with pitch control for DJs.

While these are great for getting started, it's important to remember that you get what you pay for. Investing in a better turntable ensures you’re getting a unit with better components that won’t harm your records and will provide great sound for years to come.

However, any of these options will beat that record player in a briefcase, so no matter what you choose to go with from Lenco, you’ll get a great choice at their lower prices.

A Quick History of Lenco

Lenco has been around since 1946, and if you’ve been in the audio world for a while, you’ve probably heard their name. Originally founded in Switzerland, Lenco quickly made a name for itself by producing high-quality, precision-engineered turntables that were built to last. Over the years, they became known for their great designs and smooth, reliable performance, making them a favorite among vinyl enthusiasts.

One of the things that sets Lenco apart is its dedication to both innovation and accessibility. While many legacy turntable brands have focused solely on high-end audiophile models, Lenco has consistently found ways to offer great performance at reasonable prices. This balance of quality and affordability is why they’ve remained a trusted name in turntables for so long.

Today, Lenco continues to evolve, combining decades of engineering expertise with modern technology. Whether you’re looking for an entry-level turntable like the LBT-345WA or a more affordable model, they’ve got options that make it easy to enjoy vinyl without the hassle. Their turntables deliver solid build quality, great sound, and thoughtful features—exactly what you’d want from a company that’s been in the game for nearly 80 years.

Build Quality & First Impressions

Before we get into the details of this turntable, if you’re new to this hobby or just want to better understand the different components that make up a great record player, we recommend checking out our Turntable Buyer’s Guide. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about tonearms, cartridges, platters, and more so you can make an informed decision. Now, let’s take a closer look at the Lenco LBT-345WA.

Right out of the box, this turntable makes a great first impression. The walnut wood veneer finish gives it a premium look, making it an attractive addition to any setup. But it’s not just about appearances—Lenco put real thought into the components to ensure solid performance.

We immediately noticed it features a carbon-fiber tonearm, which is rare in turntables at this price point. Carbon fiber is lightweight yet rigid, reducing unwanted vibrations that can affect sound quality. It also comes fitted with the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, a highly respected and award-winning cartridge that delivers detailed, balanced sound. Many entry-level turntables come with basic cartridges that are just okay, but the 2M Red is a major upgrade, offering a more refined and dynamic listening experience, and we are happy to see it on a turntable at this price point.

Underneath the platter, there is a belt attached to a motor that spins the platter around. This means it is a belt-drive turntable. Many enthusiasts believe belt drive turntables sound better than direct drive turntables when you are in this price range, but ultimately, it usually comes down to what you’re using it for and your preference. We typically recommend that if you’re using your turntable to listen to music, you should go with a belt drive option. But there are also some really great direct drive options as well, so this isn’t always a strict rule. If you want to learn more about direct drive and belt drive turntables, we’ve broken it all down here.

Belt Drive vs Dire-Drive Turntables

This table is also fully manual, meaning you’ll need to move the tonearm over the record yourself, lower it down to start, and pick it back up to stop playback. This requires a little more hands-on operation than a fully automatic turntable that does it all for you but many vinyl enthusiasts prefer this approach since it keeps the design simple and reliable. There are also two-speed options, supporting both 33⅓ and 45 RPM records, so you can play a wide range of vinyl from standard LPs to singles.

The aluminum platter ensures smooth, stable rotation, and Lenco includes a felt mat to help reduce static and resonance for a cleaner sound. Another great feature is the removable headshell, which makes it easier to swap out or upgrade your cartridge down the road. For beginners, this is a fantastic feature because it allows you to improve your sound quality over time without needing to replace the entire turntable. If you’re interested in this, you can reach out to our experts for advice on which cartridge would be a great upgrade and fit. Plus, we even have a detailed video showing you how you can replace it yourself!

How to Mount a Phono Cartridge

To further enhance playback performance, the LBT-345WA also includes an adjustable anti-skating feature. This helps keep the stylus centered in the groove, preventing distortion and excessive wear on your records. Lenco also includes a chrome-plated record stabilizer, or a record weight, which helps keep the record firmly in place and minimizes unwanted resonance.

Features & Technology

One of the biggest advantages of the LBT-345WA is that it blends classic vinyl playback with modern technology. If you want the analog experience but also enjoy wireless convenience, this turntable has you covered.

It features Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, which allows you to stream your records wirelessly to Bluetooth speakers or headphones. This is a huge plus for anyone who wants to enjoy vinyl without dealing with a wired setup. Bluetooth 5.2 ensures a stable connection and better sound quality than older Bluetooth implementations, making it a genuinely useful feature.

However, we will note here that using Bluetooth with your turntable no longer gives you that analog experience. You are lowering the quality by sending it wirelessly to your speakers and losing some of that “vinyl sound” that so many people love when it’s not connected to your speakers with cables. To really extract the most from your turntable, we recommend using cables to connect your table to your speakers if possible. But if that’s not possible, or you want to use a pair of headphones or speakers further away from your turntable, Bluetooth is a great option. At the end of the day, if the Bluetooth feature makes it easier for you to listen to your record collection, then there’s no judgment from us!

Another feature we were happy to see is the built-in phono preamp. This means you can plug the turntable directly into powered speakers or an amplifier without needing a separate phono preamp. For beginners, this makes setup much easier. But if you’re looking to upgrade your system down the road, you can also bypass the built-in preamp and use an external one for even better sound.

Setup

Setting up the LBT-345WA is straightforward, even if you’ve never used a turntable before. The included manual walks you through the process, and since the tonearm and cartridge come pre-installed, there’s minimal assembly required. Just balance the tonearm, adjust the counterweight, and you’re ready to go.

Once you drop the needle, the first thing you’ll notice is how smooth and quiet the turntable runs. The platter spins with precision, and the carbon-fiber tonearm moves effortlessly into place. The Ortofon 2M Red does an excellent job tracking the grooves, delivering a clear, dynamic sound that brings out the best in your records. There’s a warmth and depth to the playback that digital formats just don’t capture in the same way.

We put on a few test records and paired this table up with a few different speakers. We connected it to powered speakers, an amplifier, and tried Bluetooth feature. When you compare the physical connection to Bluetooth, you’ll instantly hear the difference in quality. We even used an upgraded external phono stage and loved the way it improved the sound. We were fairly impressed with what you get right out of the box with this turntable. And it’s nice to know that you can make some fairly inexpensive upgrades down the road to bring your sound to the next level.

Comparable Turntables You May Want to Consider

While the Lenco LBT-345WA is a fantastic option, there are other turntables on the market that might suit your needs depending on what you’re looking for. We just reviewed the Pro-Ject T1 Phono BT, which is another Bluetooth turntable with a manual belt-drive system, offering a sleek design and high-quality sound. It features an integrated phono preamp like the Lenco but comes with a lower model cartridge, the Ortofon OM5e, rather than the Ortofon 2M Red.

Another solid competitor is the U-Turn Audio Orbit 2 Plus. This turntable has a simple, minimalistic design and a high-performance acrylic platter. While it doesn’t have Bluetooth, it’s a fantastic option for those who want pure analog performance at a great price. Plus, it comes in seven different fun colors!

Ultimately, all three of these turntables are great choices. You can watch our reviews of both of these other options here. If you need help deciding which one fits you best, again, our team of turntable experts can help you choose!

A Must-Have Accessory

No matter which turntable you choose, keeping your records clean is crucial for the best sound quality. The Lenco TTA-12IN1PRO is a great cleaning kit that includes everything you need to keep your vinyl and stylus in top shape. A good cleaning routine will help extend the life of both your records and your turntable, ensuring you get the best sound possible for years to come.

This is a great kit for the price and includes an antistatic brush for record cleaning, a stylus cleaning brush, an electronic tracking force gauge making cartridge set up simple, an alignment protractor to help if you change out the cartridge, plus an azimuth and VTA protractor for even finer tuning. You even get 4 small and one large spirit level and a lot of tools and accessories. We’d recommend this kit to anyone with a turntable because you get so much for the money.

Final Thoughts

Lenco did a great job with the LBT-345WA, balancing great sound, quality components, and modern features in a way that makes vinyl more accessible to everyone. The carbon-fiber tonearm, Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, and aluminum platter make it a serious contender in the entry-level turntable space.

If you’ve been thinking about getting into vinyl, the Lenco LBT-345WA is a great way to start. It’s easy to use, sounds fantastic, and offers just the right mix of analog charm and modern features.

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