Best bang for the buck turntable?

I have a $1000 analog front end - MMF-7, Goldring Eroica H, Lehmann Black Cube SE. It sounds more alive and dynamic than my $2500 digital front end, which sounds flat in comparison when playing the same music on both formats. I'm of the belief one doesn't have to spend a great deal of money on analog to realize it's benefits.

No question, a good Garrard 301.

The new improved version of the Rega P 3 is about a month or so away from shipping. It will include th option of adding the same outboard power supply that is available as an option for the P5, a significant upgrade. The price will increase but will still be a bargain at probably $800. The recently improved P2 and recently released P1, Ortofon cartridge included, are both bargains at $525 and $350 respectively. Both are candidates for upgrading from the stock MDF platter to a glass platter for $70, an easily audible improvement. The P5 is a more serious table and arm combo for $1295. The new versions of the Rega cartridges are quite good an available at a discount with a table package. You'd be hard pressed to do better than a P5 with an Exact for the money and that goes for any of the lesser combos in the line. Above that price and the competition gets more complicated. Their phono stage is quite good for the money as well.

Bear in mind I am a Rega dealer...

Good luck on your adventure!

Piedpiper, it is great to have dealers participate in these forums, identify themselves as such, and give useful and practical information. Lots of light, not too much heat. Thank you.

Viridian, Thanks. Although the conflict of interest can certainly insinuate itself, generally dealers, distributors and manufacturers of high end audio equipment are in business because they are passionate about recreating the magic of perhaps the most compelling and accessible of art forms. We are not all that different from the the customers we serve except that, ideally at least, we are in a position to have a bit more experience and inside information, and we commit to making ourselves available to provide this service, a very tenuous choice at times.

preaching to the choir perhaps...