Trying to get in to vinyl, turntable suggestions?

In my limited experience I have used the Rega P-1 and P-2, the Music Hall 2.1 and currently a VPI HW/Audioquest PT-9 and had the most fun with the Technics. What I have found is that the Technics holds the platter speed better than the others and nothing will make a record sound off more than the rpm's being off. The other belt drive tables sound good with slower jazz and orchestral music, deeper soundstage, more dynamic even, but put on a piece of complicated music and I can hear the stylus drag and the speed warble. Nothing sounds worse to me. If you were in the $1500- range and could get a speed control that handled these problems i would agree with Learsfool, the belt drive are wonderful, but at this price point those tables seem out of pitch and to warble constantly, a problem you will never have with Technics DD. This is just my own experience with these tables and others with far more experience than I will find the entry level belt drive to be superior.

I have a VPI -19 MK.2+ that I can let you have within your budget. Email me at mscevw@aol.com.

Unless you have a fairly good size vinyl collection it's probably not a good idea.

If you're starting from scratch expect to spend far more than you expect to spend.

is it that hard to find vinyl? My goal is not to replace my library of cd's but obtain albums over time.

If it's not worth getting in to without already having a collection...why would anyone ever get in to it at all...unless they received some library or collection via gift\inheritance?

There is plenty of vinyl around and I think you have a good idea about what you are getting into. You will find a few sources for used and new here on agon or on e-bay and you will be upgrading your system regularly, just like we all do.

If it's not addictive, expensive and all consuming, what fun is it?