First used turntable +- $20,000. Any suggestions?


Hi all,

I've been into audio for several years but never ready looked into turntables. Since a few of my friends telling me they like the sound of turntables much much more than CD I might make the switch as well.

Since new is too expensive I will be looking on the second hand market. Could anyone advise me on a superb table that will be max. $20,000 (incl. cartridge, arm etc etc) on the used market? What are the brands to look for and are there particular things I need to watch out for when buying second hand turn tables?

Appreciate your thoughts.
maxx1973
My comment was based on my surprise at the sound that was coming out of top of the line SME arm/table combos with stone bodied Koetsu cartridges through Airtight electronics and Sonus Faber speakers; not my own system, but not what I would have expected. Also, I did say "compared to the best of its competitors," which wouldn't include Rega.
Follow up to my previous post.

I sell Thorens turntables and a couple of the most expensive models are available with SME tonearms.

However, I am not an SME dealer and do not sell the tonearms separately.

In fact, I do have an "association" albeit indirect with SME, so please accept my apology for the error.

Dealer disclosure.
A "top of the line" combination of components is no guarantee and/or predictor of any listener's expectations or results for that matter.

You will learn this through more listening experience.
"A "top of the line" combination of components is no guarantee and/or predictor of any listener's expectations or results for that matter."

Of course. It was my expectations for these particular components that precipitated my surprised. All bets are off though when it's not your own system and you can't take responsibility for set up.
Maxx,

Here's a brand new killer setup for far less then $20,000

1. VPI Aries III Turntable $2900.00
2. VPI SDS system $1000.00
3. VPI Periphery Ring Clamp $600.00
4. VPI Center Weight $150.00
5. VPI Mini Super Feet $300.00
6. Dynavector DV-507 MKII tonearm $4750.00
7. Dynavector DV DRT XV-1s Cartridge $4500.00
8. Synergistic Research Magnetic Tricon Phono Cable $800.00
9. Synergistic Research (2) Tesla T2 Power Cords $1100.00

MSRP $16,100.00 That's a winning combo all across the board.