best "entry level" audiophile TT?

Is'nt it ironic that in the days of digital, there are so many excellent turntables at every price point and turntables do seem an area where you get what you pay for. As things stand, in the US, you probably want to stick to US products, because of the $ price. Having said that Rega and Project are excellent and competitive in any market. If you plan to upgrade then going for Rega or Clearaudio or VPI which allow for upgradeabilty is a good idea. In the UK I went onto an Origin Live Resolution, but it is probably overpriced in the US.
As Kitch says, you have to listen yourself, if it sounds good to you it is good.

I listened for months to various tables and ended up choosing the Rega P5 with the TT PSU and an Exact2 cartridge. For my price-point I could not find one that sounded better. Plus the fact that Stereophile chose this table as the analogue product of the year in 2005. Everyone had their opinion but really matters is yours - let your ears direct you to the table of choice.

although some people have said otherwise, it's my understanding that direct drive is better than belt - especially in my area of the country (st louis) where temp and humidity go crazy in any single day. if so, why not go the Pro-Ject RM-5 route - direct drive? still looking SUB 1000$, want good, rich sound but not necessarily audio bliss (which would be hard at such a cheap 'table). I'm definitely looking into some of the used, old thorens and AR.

Flyingred, thanks for the cheap answer to isolation. Maybe I can make a zen garden out of my zen music. anyone else tried this?

Tvad: I can sell you some beachfront land for cheap...three dollars an acre. E-mail me.

JohnnyB: I e-mailed you the pictures. There was a nice tourist that let me use their laptop--I don't own a computer. No computers on this island...only little AM radios.

Audiofeil: Raoul has a lot of toys--especially for a kid that smoked weed and listened to music on a Technics 1700. However, he does know how they sound and has let quite a few know that they're being ripped off by the high end establishment. You could relocate to my island and become a real estate agent. Don't worry about the $3 an acre price. We have plenty.

Metalsymph: $500-600 on a Technics 12XX, Kevin's newest $100 modded Stanton 500 cartridge and an eBay Groovmaster record cleaner would leave some cash to go get used records in Chicago.

Groovmaster

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+++ I spent 2 years auditioning "high end" tables before making my choice. Part of the problem was that nothing I heard bested the 25 year old Technics SL-150 Mk II or Lenco L75 that I picked up to re-learn analog set up. +++

Well Red, which one is it? Did you audition high end tables OR have you not heard anything better than your SL150/L75?

Regards
Paul