I recently restored an EMT 927, which leaves me speechless every time I listen to it. It's nearly 60 years old and is absolutely the finest table I've ever heard. I'm using a SME 3012 and a 1966 Denon 103.
I have also restored a Garrad 301 and use a SME 3009 ( series one) tone arm and it likewise is outstanding.
Last, my favorite is the humble Dual 1229 with a Grace 747. What a sleeper this table is. Wow!
I spent a decade with a Linn (don't get me started ). (Recently sold the Linn set up gig to a fellow agon member. Thank you Alan!)
Used Micros, Walkers, Thorens, EMT's, Clearaudio, SOTA's, VPI's, can all be had is superb condition for 10k or less. Much less. (Okay, you might need to add a little to get the Walker, but what a table!)
If you love the Linn, you can get excellent results but it's a great deal of work. I know many that love them, but personally the Linn sound just wasn't for me.
Take your Krystal MC cartridge and go listen to some turntables. You might be surprised, because that is an excellent sounding cartridge and on the right table is a keeper!
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