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Best turntable/cartridge combo for $700-$750

I have been out of analog playback for several years and want some advice about turntables and cartridges up to about $700-750. I have seen a few prepackaged combo's by Project, Rega, and Music Hall. I would prefer more cartridge options than these combos offer. I realize my price range may limit my options. I have been recently quoted on a Soto Comet II with RB250amr and an Aurum Wood Classic, but the price is $450 over my budget.I am not familiar with this cartridge's performance or value.... The Sota table by itself seems overpriced.....I have a Creek SE5350 Classic integrated amp with their MM phono stage, and a pair of Silverline Preludes. I use Analysis Plus Oval 12 speaker cable.... All advice welcomed
sunnyjim
toufu
83 posts
 
May I suggest the Music Hall 5.1 and get the Goldring 1420 replacemnt stylus... I have this combo and it sounds so much better than the stock one. More richer, warmer sound and less surface noise...
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
691 posts
 
Search the archives...

In your price range, you'll also want to consider a KAB Technics SL-1200 MK5SE w/ a Denon DL-160 cartridge.
soulbrass
246 posts
 
Here a variation of Nrenter's "Can't go wrong" recipe: Technics SL1210 mk2 from Musicians Friend (free shipping!) will run you $400 and you can then add either a Denon DL160 or an Audio Technica 440ML. You'll have change left over to purchase some actual LPs! KAB offers an upgrade path you can travel at your leisure. The archives here and at The Vinyl Asylum are full of worthwhile reading on these very combos - hard to argue with the performance/cost ratio. Welcome back to vinyl!
tiger
313 posts
 
Go the extra bucks and purchase a refurb Marnatz (e. g. Clearaudio) The accessories for less web site will give you great pricing. It comes with a matched $800 clearaudio cartridge.
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