Best auto-lift/shutoff turntables?

Winegasman, You're not interested in "add on lifters", but you are interested in a turntable which contains linkages, bellcranks, and subassemblies for an auto lift function?

My suggestion? Buy a CD player.

Buscis2, thanks for the helpful reply. How will I fit the lps into the Cd player?

Further reply: I am not interested in an add on lifter because I am not handy so anything that's "a little tricky to install" is going to be beyond my capabilities. In addition, the lifter idea is coupled to the Teres turntable suggestion, but the Teres' are beyond my budget. I am looking for as good sounding and stable a turntable as I can get for about $500 tops, and will live with the linkages, bellcranks, and subassemblies that the manufacturer has built into the table in order to have the arm lift up and the motor shut off at the end of play. I don't think my earnest question is that unreasonable.

Winegasman, My most sincere apologies. Your question was not unreasonable AT ALL. Although, you will be making one hell of a compromise (sonically) by using a turntable with all of the added mechanisms. I would hate to see anyone who enjoys analog take a step backwards sonically.

But, I can understand your concern with convenience. I made the ULTIMATE compromise when I purchased my CD player. I love my analog. Although sometimes, I simply do not feel like, cleaning, clamping and turning over an LP just to enjoy a musical performance. Even though I do have to reluctantly admit that digital is actually getting better. A LOT better.

The reason I had initially suggested the Expressimo "lifter", is that it can be installed on any turntable of the highest sonic standards without ANY sonic compromises whatsoever. I wish I could help you with an "automatic lift" model but I really can't, other than suggesting possibly Ebay? I had noticed many offerings of turntables of the "semi automatic" variety. Unfortunately, there are not many manufacturers offering quality turntables with automatic features. In fact there is none to my knowledge. If there is, please correct me.

Regards, Ed.

Thanks, Ed. My experience with the Thorens TD-320 has been quite good. There may be sonic compromises involved in having the auto-lift and shut mechanisms, but I don't think I can hear them. or, since I haven't a/b'ed the table with a good, purely manual table maybe ignorance is bliss? Since I'm willing to buy used, I thought that maybe there was a good older table out there with the convenience I want and the sonic quality I hope for. So far, only Elizabeth hs recommended 2 tables, Denon and Dual, but I think those might be lateral moves compared to a Thorens. Is that true?