The first thing to do is take a deep breath and realize that once there were scads of entry level tables. Every major manufacturer made one. Now there are but a handfull, and IMHO the fittest have survived.
Once you get to the Project and Rega level all of your options are very accomplished turntables and there is not a dog in the bunch. And this is a good thing, since your odds of making meainingful comparisons are, as you have found, highly unlikely.
I truly don't think that you can buy a bad table, with the exception of all of those digitize it to your computer plastic things.
So why the difference of opinion? Well there will always be subjective preference. You like one flavor and I like another.
Since they are all good, and you understand the perils of shipment, perhaps you should shop for a dealer rather than a turntable brand. One that can support her products, do a decent setup for you, and advise you on proper siting of the table and help you to overcome any problems involved.
Just my 2 cents; good luck in the journey.
Once you get to the Project and Rega level all of your options are very accomplished turntables and there is not a dog in the bunch. And this is a good thing, since your odds of making meainingful comparisons are, as you have found, highly unlikely.
I truly don't think that you can buy a bad table, with the exception of all of those digitize it to your computer plastic things.
So why the difference of opinion? Well there will always be subjective preference. You like one flavor and I like another.
Since they are all good, and you understand the perils of shipment, perhaps you should shop for a dealer rather than a turntable brand. One that can support her products, do a decent setup for you, and advise you on proper siting of the table and help you to overcome any problems involved.
Just my 2 cents; good luck in the journey.
