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best sub $1K TT for 45 rpm

My friend is looking to replace his TT which recently crapped out. He has been looking at used and new Rega P3's but is turned off by the exercise required to change speeds. He plays 45's about 25% of the time, so would like more convenient speed switch. Any recommendations for a deck that plays both 33 1/3 and 45 rpm disks re3asonably well, with painless speed switching, for under or near $1K new or used including arm and cartridge? I realize this is at the toe of the vinyl mountain price wise, but the P3 would have fit the bill for now and been a significant upgrade from what he had been using.

This friend recently gave me an unopened heavy vinyl pressing of Dark Side of the Moon, so I am feeling motivated to help. Any advice very much appreciated.
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soulbrass
246 posts
 
...forgot one...

Dead-on speed accurate.

Good luck!
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knownothing OP
1,298 posts
 
Any belt drives fit this bill?
johnnyb53
3,490 posts
 
01-08-10: Soulbrass
Agree w/ the above recommendation - I am one who prefers the Technics to the
P3.
You're not the only one. With a few low-cost tweaks
to the SL12x0 to tame vibration and resonances, it approaches or equals the P3
in the midband resolution and handily beats it in timbre, frequency extension,
pace, pitch accuracy, transients, and bass slam.

Anyway, back to the OP's questions: The Technics SL12x0 series has the
smoothest way to switch speeds anywhere near that price range. The controls
are very smooth and expensive-feeling.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
To actually answer your second question, Thorens makes some very good sounding belt drive tables with speed adjustment knobs that cost under 1K. The 190 is quite nice:

http://www.needledoctor.com/Thorens-Turntables-TD-190-2B?sc=2&category=355

Happy hunting!
rlwainwright
1,901 posts
 
Hmmm, plays 45s, is easy to switch speed, and is belt drive...I'd have to say that you should check out any of the B&O turntables, they fit your specs to a T. And, because the tonearm and cartridge were designed as a "unit", most B&Os can handily out-perform any turntables anywhere near their price. And, to play a 45, you simply lay the 45 on the platter - the B&O will know automatically that you have a 45 on there. Just press Play and you're off!

Plus, it is virtually impossible to scratch a record using a B&O turntable - their effective tip mass is the lowest in the world. And, their MMC1, MMC2, and MMC3 cartridges are VERY good cartridges. The MMC1 is especially good - and very expensive.
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