This table was on permanent sale for $500 for the last year or so, and now that it's discontinued its gone down to $299, so I really look at this as a $500 street priced table. Not having heard it, just looking at the specs, it seems like a great bargain for the closeout pricing. I can't imagine you could get hurt buying this unit even with the MDF platter and inexpensive cartridge, I say go for it.