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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
schubert
4,867 posts
 
I've owned at least a hundred TT's for an tricked out Linn LP-12  to a AR-xa ..
Right now I am listening to a Pioneer PLX-1000 with a Soundsmith Ottelo
 cartridge at a total cost of 1k + tax .
 And yes , it IS great . It was very good but a 700 $ Project DS-2 Phono
 pre-amp made it great .
Read The Stereophile review of the PLX-1000, it is spot on !
People who have have never heard one , much less own one , will tell you
it is Chinese junk . They lie .
jollytinker
147 posts
 
the trouble is you'll need a good phono stage to do justice to whatever you put together with the turntable. all of it can be done used for better value (except maybe the cartridge), but $3000 maybe a more reasonable target to get an analog front end into your system.  

The Marantz TT15s gets high praise from people whose opinion I trust. It's actually a rebadged Clearaudio TT and retails for 1500.  used ones on eBay are about $1k often with good carts.  
jollytinker
147 posts
 
oops -- once again I forgot to refresh the page before posting a response.  Sorry if i'm being redundant. 

jollytinker
147 posts
 
Btw - nice thing about an older VPI is that you can gradually upgrade the parts and end up with a really stellar turntable (and a nice analog rabbit hole to fall into!). The Aries TT's are great for that. 
knollbrent's avatar
knollbrent OP
314 posts
 
Wow, what great suggestions. Leaning toward...

Marantz TT15s- Open box $1250

Lehmann black cube statement $500

Might be a nice place to start???
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