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Is a GREAT turntable under $2000 possible???

Howdy folks-

I’m really enjoying my current set up and return to 2.1 channel listening and Home Theater. Here’s what I’ve got:

-Mc402 Amp
-Anthem Mrx 520
-Oppo 103 Bdp with Scott Nixon tube dac
-Mac Mini with a Scott Nixon Usb tube dac
-Audience and Wireworld cables
-Tekton Electron speakers

I’d like to introduce vinyl to my evening listening pleasure. Any recommendations for a turntable (including arm, cartridge, etc) under $2000? Is this a reasonable figure? I have no clue when it comes to turntables so any advice given is surely appreciated.

Brent

128x128knollbrent
noromance's avatar
noromance
1,780 posts
 
Gotta love the Erotica!

noromance's avatar
noromance
1,780 posts
 
$2k? Maybe not off the shelf but you can certainly do what I did. Source a clean Garrard 401 for about $800. Make or buy a layered birch ply plinth and add a 12" Jelco 750 arm for $550. Optionally add an Audiosilente idler for $100. Add brass feet and sit table on solid level support and you will have a great table.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
4,908 posts
 
Old VPI’s are a safe bet table (good design, and built to last), and can be found cheap. I got an HW-19 Mk.2 for $500, and an Aries 1 with TNT-3/4 platter and bearing for $700 total (I got lucky). Add a new Jelco or Audiomods arm ($500-$800), and cartridge of your choice, and boom---LP music!
jsm71
141 posts
 

If you don’t want to buy used, look for a well made value priced table with a good cartridge. For example the Marantz TT 15S1 can be had for $1,499 and it comes with a Clearaudio Virtuoso ($800) cartridge. Clearaudio also makes the turntable for Marantz. It’s solid.

You have a number of options for a phono stage in the $500 range. Others can better provide advice for the phono stage.  There’s your $2,000 spend and this would work well.

knollbrent's avatar
knollbrent OP
314 posts
 
Thanks everybody for your time and suggestions. I'm looking into your suggestions. The Technics is old school, I like that a lot. Music Hall 9.3 looks very good as well. I'll keep my eyes to the used turntables to see if I can get a steal there!

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