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Best TT under $1k

I’m looking to get into vinyl but don’t really no where to begin. I’ve been doing ample research on what TT to buy but am seeking the opinions of the A-gon community. I’m looking to spend under a grand, $750 if I can get away with it. (new or used)

Some units that I’ve looked at online:

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Esprit SB Turntable – $599
Rega Planar 2 Turntable – $675
VPI Cliffwood Turntable – $900
Rega Planar 3 Turntable – $945
Technics SL-1200MK2

Criteria in order of importance:

- Sound quality
- Must include cart
- Excellent build quality
- Upgrade-able. Usable now but can upgrade down the road.
- Easy to setup/ use/ maintain

Thanks,

Joe

audionoobie
bpoletti
1,004 posts
 
@elibow - You asked....

I have had a particularly bad experience with a couple of rega tables.  Cheap parts, poor qc, substandard performance.  Silk purse / sow's ear.  The ONLY redeeming quality I found was that it was fairly easy to set up because it couldn't be adjusted to improve performance.  Was even GIVEN one that I took back to the dealer. 

All were easily bettered by both my AR-ES and VPI HW-19/III.  And the VPI was using a Linn Basik LVX with a defective counterweight buffer / damper.    

I was told that to make a rega perform, it was necessary to add a lot of tweaks, options and modifications. So what's the point of even getting a rega table if it doesn't sound good anyway out of the box and requires a lot of mods.

So in my experienced opinion, rega tables are not worth the box used to pack them.

But YMMV..  YRMV.


truebluephil
13 posts
 
I didn't know that all belt drive were cheap nonsense. I must get rid on my Thorens TD-147 with and 2M black cart. 
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
+3 Rega RP6
edinburgh1066
6 posts
 
I can’t believe how much Rega TT’s cost now. Back in the 80’s the rega 2 was a Dual 505 competitor for £129 and a rega 3 w/rb300 was £288!  I don’t see what they could have done to the decks to justify the current pricing.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
4,908 posts
 

Except for their arms, I consider the design of Regas poor. I don't like the resonant MDF plinth, the motor attached directly to it, the plastic sub-platter, the glass platter, or the inability to adjust even arm height. I would much rather have an AR ES-1, which can be picked up for peanuts.

The reason you see the VPI HW-19 recommended so often is because it's an excellent design, is built great (they last forever), and is a superb platform for whatever arm you want to mount on it. A Mk.2 or 3 can be found for less than a Rega, and is imo a far better table.

But turntables seem to be a very personal thing, like loudspeakers. Everyone has to decide what kind of design meets their taste, expectations, and preferences.

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