A low cost way to try phono once again?

There are always a lot of good used tables on Audiogon. Here is one: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1300411029&/Oracle-Alexandria-MkII

I would much rather have a good used table than a new budget one. Email me if you see one you are interested in and want info on.

Buy a used Rega p1. They usually come with an arm and cartridge for very little money. For phono preamps try the NAD PP-2 phono preamp for moving magnet and low output moving coils. I have two of these phono preamps and they work very well and are very quiet. They cost about a 129 dollars each from audio advisor. I am trying to save u money and recommend something that is both good and affordable.

Used Denon 47F, picked up locally, married with a Denon 160. Cost no more then $300. Preamp could be nad PP-2, which would work well with the 160. Then once you decide to move up, sell off the system and move up to a VPI.

I agree; go for a used table. You most likely will get a better table overall than buying new and get more bang for the buck. The VPI Scout is very good table for the money; not sure how much they go for used though...

Ebay seller, "vintage_audio_lab" sells a 2 box mm tube phono preamp for $400 shipped free. It is a Taiwanese product which I bought a while back and have been very impressed with. I agree that a used table, if well cared-for, gives the best value. You may consider making an offer on the JVC VL-8 currently on 'Gon. I own the dd version and it's a very nice table. I've no connection with the seller. Even with the needed $89 replacement stylus, you may get the whole tuna for $750-$800 leaving $200 or so for lps!

There are many other options, but don't overlook the relative importance of the phono stage in the mix. The "VALAB" stage, while limited to mm carts, is very, very high quality/performance for the price.

Just my 2 cents.

jb