[TheChairGuy]

Of all the topics the years here, this one has probably been the most often stated.  Related to it is 'Best turntable that won't break the bank', 'Best turntable for vinyl newbie', 'I don't want vintage, what's the best table under $1000 for me'.

Etc, etc. 

Member Wayner has gamely tried a bunch of new ones out and been mostly disgusted with the outcome of the under $1000 TT market today.  I think, and he can step in when he'd like, the only one that shined was the Audio-Technica / SL-1200 Mk. II knock off called the AT-PL120.

For $330.00 delivered to your door all set up with the basic analog goodies to get you started, so long as the quality is baked in from the start, seems to be a stellar deal 

http://www.elexatelier.com/AT_PL120Improved.htm

Perhaps better, but 3x the cost (still under the magical $1000.00 price point) I just today saw a nice sale price for the Rega P3-24 with power supply at $995.00.  Could be one of the better values in the turntable world today 

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-3485-rega-p324-gloss-turntable.aspx?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%%xtlinkname%%&utm_name=musicdirect+soundbytes+rega+p324+issue+7-22-11

John

[eclein]

I like the Rega if its a good deal, it looks very cool......but then on the flip side you could put the $600 you save toward records by getting the other one. You need a pre with that don't ya, there's a couple 100 additional to the Rega, the other has a built in doesn't it??

 Anyway, If I had to choose between those two and it was your cash..I'm doin Rega, My cash, the other one is mine because what if I end up hating it. Thats me though and I'm cautious sometimes....other times no...

[Mike Nomad]

Not sure what you are looking for in a feature set:

http://www.esotericsound.com/turntable_cvs_16%20Spec.htm

[WC]

I have a $100 turntable and need something better. I was mainly looking at the Pro-ject RM5.1SE since $1000 is what I was budgeting. Since I am not going to get the turntable until next year, I will probably also check out the newly announced Rega RP3 also before I make a decision. I figured that the less than $500 turntables would leave me wanting more.

[Devil Doc]

Unfortunately, it's not made anymore. VPI HW-19 Jr. If you can find a used one, grab it. There's nothing made for under a grand that'll touch it.

Doc.

[bacobits1]

Go used. lots to choose.
I could make any one of these sing.
Make sure they pack well!!!! Lots of bubble wrap, no peanuts.

Used VPI Junior, MKII, Planer 3, 2 (older with glass platter), Thorens 160, 166.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1316218736

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1316290950&/Project-RM-6

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1316112451&/Technics-SP-25-Turntable

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1313714146&/SONY-PS-X5

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1315871099&/Music-Hall-MMF-5.0-Turntable

D

[Letitroll98]

Yeah D Doc, I agree with you the VPI's are my recommendation, but as I read it, the OP specifically says no vintage tables, I take this to mean anything not currently in production.

Sooo, here's a leap of faith for a table I have not heard, but I believe in Pierre's ears and here's what he recommends in budget tables, the Stanton ST-150 at $479.00 or Stage I modified by Maple Shade for $995.  Here's the quote from the website:

"The Stanton ST-150, is a better-sounding version of the legendary Technics SL-1200 professional turntable, incorporating a far more massive, resonance-free plinth and a heavier duty direct drive motor. Compared to standard entry-level Rega, Pro-ject and Music Hall turntables, the Stanton incorporates visibly superior engineering and quality. Even in stock form, it also delivers audibly better bass, clearer detail, quieter backgrounds and far better pitch accuracy.


Stanton ST150

Our Stage I Mod takes the Stanton to a sonic level at or beyond most $2000 turntable/arm units. We remove the sound-deadening plastic enclosure, replace the sprung feet with brass Triplepoints coupled directly to the chassis, upgrade the platter damping, replace the rubber mat with our unique five-point record mount, add three-point headshell-to-arm coupling, upgrade motor supply/control capacitors and dielectrics throughout, and replace the AC cord with a Double Helix MK1 Plus. Direct-to-USB output is retained. The table mounts inside an elegant, fully decoupled maple enclosure."


Stanton ST-150 Turntable, Stage I Modified

http://shop.mapleshadestore.com/Stanton-ST-150/products/201/

[roscoeiii]

VPI HW-19 Jr is a great table for the money used. Be on the lookout for an ad for mine shortly or PM me if interested. Eventually upgraded to a Well-Tempered Amadeus. But the VPI is superb.

[WC]

Used turntables are fine and will most likely give you the best bang for your buck, but for an inexperienced vinyl user is it really a good idea.

The vision I have of used turntables is that you would need to do a lot of tweaking to keep them operating well. For a newby, making the turntable settings could be a little disconcerting. I am mechanically inclined, but have very little idea what to do to a turntable due to lack of familiarity.

[roscoeiii]

Fremer's turntable set-up DVD is a great resource for newbies. Budget for a copy. Getting a turntable really dialed in has a huge payoff.

[Wayner]

The Stanton ST150 was one of the tables I purchased for review. The comment that it is "better" then a Technics SL1200MKII is just plain "hot air". While the table may look "cool", it's arm is poorly constructed, demonstrating a weakness at the collar where the headshell and arm connect. I also recall hum as being an issue with even my AT440MLa cartridge. The claimed motor torque "being better then the Technics" was also false, as I could stop the platter, using my Discwasher cleaning brush, while the Technics barely showed signs of the motor slowing (viewing the strobe). I also recall the arm assembly bearings being loose. Not a table I would buy, nor would I recommend.

The AT-LP120USB was a different story. It is built very well, but had 1 problem. It's anti-skating adjustment was almost a "knob to no-where" as it seems to actually do nothing to counter-act the skating issue. The table is supplied with a ATP-2 cartridge (a disco cartridge), which is designed for scratching (running the cartridge forwards and backwards on the record) and is designed to track at 3 grams.

I have made a fix for the anti-skate problem by attaching a "deadman" weight to the arm, running fishing line from it thru a donut on the arm pillar and affixing the deadman weight to the end of it.

 

After installing an AT440MLa, the table proved to be quiet the performer. Jeff Dongray, editor of TONEAUDIO said that he thought the table sounded great for the money and if I recall, liked it's sound better then the Technics.

After several conversations with AT America that went absolutely no where, I gave up on trying to get the table's anti-skating issue addressed. If they were to fix this, it would be the killer deck of the decade.

So, I now either recommend a Rega P3-24, or Technics SL1200MKII which still can be found new in the box at a few retailers. I am vinyl curios about the Thorens TD295 or some of their lower priced manual tables.

Used tables are a different story, but newbies may find the associated problems they may encounter, overwhelming. But my favorites to recommend are Technics and Sony DDs and as mentioned, VPI HW-19s.

Wayner

[bacobits1]

http://www.maximumtech.com/audio-technica-lp240-usb-turntable-review

Another look. Actually pretty sharp.
http://www.hitechreview.com/audio/audio-technica-intros-at-lp240-usb-direct-drive-turntable-system/27780/

AT-LP240-USB
I see this one was introduced at this years CES. J&R has it for $349. The arm looks like the same manufacturer as the Denon out now. 28 lbs it seems pretty hefty.

D

[poseidonsvoice]

Of all the topics the years here, this one has probably been the most often stated.  Related to it is 'Best turntable that won't break the bank', 'Best turntable for vinyl newbie', 'I don't want vintage, what's the best table under $1000 for me'.

Etc, etc. 

Member Wayner has gamely tried a bunch of new ones out and been mostly disgusted with the outcome of the under $1000 TT market today.  I think, and he can step in when he'd like, the only one that shined was the Audio-Technica / SL-1200 Mk. II knock off called the AT-PL120.

For $330.00 delivered to your door all set up with the basic analog goodies to get you started, so long as the quality is baked in from the start, seems to be a stellar deal 

http://www.elexatelier.com/AT_PL120Improved.htm

Perhaps better, but 3x the cost (still under the magical $1000.00 price point) I just today saw a nice sale price for the Rega P3-24 with power supply at $995.00.  Could be one of the better values in the turntable world today 

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-3485-rega-p324-gloss-turntable.aspx?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_content=%%xtlinkname%%&utm_name=musicdirect+soundbytes+rega+p324+issue+7-22-11

John

John,

For those who are dead set on the Rega P3-24, I just saw this for $875 fitted with the Elys cartridge including delivery. That's a brand spankin new P3. Not bad I thought.

Anand.

[Wayner]

http://www.maximumtech.com/audio-technica-lp240-usb-turntable-review

Another look. Actually pretty sharp.
http://www.hitechreview.com/audio/audio-technica-intros-at-lp240-usb-direct-drive-turntable-system/27780/

AT-LP240-USB
I see this one was introduced at this years CES. J&R has it for $349. The arm looks like the same manufacturer as the Denon out now. 28 lbs it seems pretty hefty.

D

Michael Brown don't know jack. I also purchased this table for review. It has the exact same arm as the AT150 with the same problems. Also had hum issues.

This is another table that looks cool, but just doesn't cut the mustard. Obviously, who ever built the AT-LP240USB also made the Stanton ST150 and also the $2500 Denon DP-A100.

I'd consider a used AR before any of these.

 

The higher priced AT just doesn't deserve high praise.....at all.

Wayner 

[bacobits1]

There ya go. Stay away from this schiit. Wayne knows.
I'd go for the Rega myself just for the large "boogie factor".

D

[Letitroll98]

The claimed motor torque "being better then the Technics" was also false, as I could stop the platter, using my Discwasher cleaning brush, while the Technics barely showed signs of the motor slowing (viewing the strobe).

Hi Wayne, thanks for the info.  As a person with way more knowledge about DD tables than I and one who has actually tested these tables, please help me on this point.  I read the torque specs on the Stanton as 4.5 Kgf-cm, the Technics as 1.5 Kgf-cm and the AT as 1.6 Kgf-cm.  I know how ad sheet spec can be distorted, but other than an outright lie from Stanton, how to you rectify these numbers with your findings?  There is a torque adjustment on the Stanton, could you have had it mis-adjusted, or is there that much fudge factor in the specs?  With DD I don't see how any coupling issues could come in to play, is there a clutch mechanism perhaps? 

Additionally, your report of hum seems to be validated by other reports on the web, they solved it by using a cheater plug.  Did you try that?  Thanks for your reply and putting up with my impudence.

[Wayner]

The table came with a ground lift switch, so in effect, a "cheater" plug should not have been required. I don't recall if I tried that or not.

As far as the torque specs go, who knows. I do know that when the motor is running, it does not have nearly as much torque as the Technics, by a long shot. There is a torque adjustment on the AT, but it is for (I believe) stopping the platter. Many direct drives have this feature, but the factory setting on my Technics is fast enough that I never bothered to adjust it.

I spent over 2K on sampling turntables under $500 last winter. I did it because I really wanted to help out newbies get into vinyl without spending a fortune and without going down the used turnpike. I pissed off a couple of retailers because of my returns, and I recall asking one of them if they had a table that actually worked in all regards. The answer was what a "spin doctor" would use. The real answer is yes, but only about 2 that I would trust and I have already mentioned.

You can go down the to the used bin. There are some folks that like the older Empires (208/298), ARs, Thorens (like a TD-160), even some Duals. Of course there are hundreds of models to pick from. But there always seems to be some kind of problem with used, vintage tables that may be overwhelming to a newbie.

Then if we decide to change the budget, to say, $2,000, the door does open up. The VPI Scout now is an option, so is the Marantz table, ClearAudio has a couple in this price range and you could move up the ladder on a Rega. Keeping in mind that that is just a table in some instances, tho some do include a pre-mounted cartridge if like the one offered.

Wayner

[twitch54]

The comment that it is "better" then a Technics SL1200MKII is just plain "hot air".

I concur with Wayner here as well, not only does the table represent a superb value one can assemble a complete set-up incl a nice cart and the record cleaning products and still keep the price tag under a grand !

[roscoeiii]

FYI, just listed an ad for my VPI HW-19Jr in Trading Post.

[gray49]

Hello...

A great turntable resource...
Vinyl Nirvana...
No affiliation...Just a very satisfied customer...

http://www.vinylnirvana.com/vintage-turntables-for-sale/

Peace...
Stuart