Personally, I have always spent a theoretical $1500 budget buying a used unit that cost $3-4,000 new rather than buying new. You tend to get much better arms and cartridges, as well as better design that way. And while there is something to what you say about having dealer back up, the used high end turntables have usually been kept very well and any issues have been ironed out by the previous owner.
One of my tables was bought by me used for a price that was the same as the new price for just the tonearm or the cartridge alone.
One of my tables was bought by me used for a price that was the same as the new price for just the tonearm or the cartridge alone.