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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
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
691 posts
 
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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.
johnnyb53
3,490 posts
 
04-26-08: Soulbrass
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.
MF Technics + DL160=$560. Add KAB Fluid Damper ($150) and Sumiko headshell ($40) to bring it to $750. Quiet, great pace, great attack, great bass slam, pro-level build quality and precision. Adding the Denon/Sumiko plus fluid damper brings a surprising amount of refinement and control. I can really "hear the room" with this rig.
piedpiper
753 posts
 
"I would prefer more cartridge options than these combos offer. I realize my price range may limit my options."

not sure what you mean by that. You can get any cartridge you want.
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