There are lots of options in the $1500 range. And it's a good place to be, dollar wise, that is where you jump over beginner tables and get to some real entry level high end tables!
Shopping used, you've got many options, I paid $1100 for a VPI Scout, and put a Sumiko cartridge on it, and I am very pleased! I have no plans to upgrade any time soon. Perhaps I'll upgrade to a better cartridge one day, but the 'table is great. My son in law has a Music Hall Ikura 'table that sells new for $1200, and he loves it. Then there is the Clearaudio Concept that comes complete, about $2 grand new, but used ones aren't hard to find. I've always liked the Marantz TT-15, a complete outfit that's actually made by Clearaudio with a Clearaudio cartridge on it for $1500 and change new. If you like low mass, the Rega Planier 3 is about $1300, and Sota tables can be had used in this price range too. The first high end 'table I ever heard was a Sota, and it changed my entire outlook on vinyl! so many companies jumping in at this price point with some real high class tables!
Any one one of these could make you happy, a real step up from the basic stuff in the $500 range. Seems that most folks that start at the $500 range soon upgrade to the next step up, so save yourself the trouble and get something really nice, you will be awestruck at the difference from your old table to one of these new designs. And there are even more names that I haven't mentioned, Funk, Mitchell, Basis, etc.
some folks will preach on the restored greats from the past, and I've no problem with that. Thorens and Garrard, etc. if that's your preference nothing wrong with that. And the Linn tables are also excellent, and have an endless upgrade path! Sorry I couldn't narrow it down more. But I can testify that my Scout is awesome and I have no intention of upgrading any time soon. Happy shopping!
Shopping used, you've got many options, I paid $1100 for a VPI Scout, and put a Sumiko cartridge on it, and I am very pleased! I have no plans to upgrade any time soon. Perhaps I'll upgrade to a better cartridge one day, but the 'table is great. My son in law has a Music Hall Ikura 'table that sells new for $1200, and he loves it. Then there is the Clearaudio Concept that comes complete, about $2 grand new, but used ones aren't hard to find. I've always liked the Marantz TT-15, a complete outfit that's actually made by Clearaudio with a Clearaudio cartridge on it for $1500 and change new. If you like low mass, the Rega Planier 3 is about $1300, and Sota tables can be had used in this price range too. The first high end 'table I ever heard was a Sota, and it changed my entire outlook on vinyl! so many companies jumping in at this price point with some real high class tables!
Any one one of these could make you happy, a real step up from the basic stuff in the $500 range. Seems that most folks that start at the $500 range soon upgrade to the next step up, so save yourself the trouble and get something really nice, you will be awestruck at the difference from your old table to one of these new designs. And there are even more names that I haven't mentioned, Funk, Mitchell, Basis, etc.
some folks will preach on the restored greats from the past, and I've no problem with that. Thorens and Garrard, etc. if that's your preference nothing wrong with that. And the Linn tables are also excellent, and have an endless upgrade path! Sorry I couldn't narrow it down more. But I can testify that my Scout is awesome and I have no intention of upgrading any time soon. Happy shopping!