Budget turntable

[iiaudio]

I've been borrowing my father's vintage Thornes turntable for the past 10 years because he lost interest in his LPs. Long story short, he was over at my place for the holidays, we played a few albums and he wants it back.

The Sony PS-LX150H I own doesn't cut it, I've got about $500-$600 to replace it. What should I be looking at?

Thanks.

[wkhanna]

New or used?

How comfortable are with cartridge set-up?

New Rega, ProJect & Music Hall units in your price range are basically 'plug & play' from the factory with the carts already installed and aligned.

[exojam]

If you go used, you may want to look at a Rega 3. I picked up a used Rega Planar 3 for about 450 and put an Ortofon 2M Blue(200) on it and was happy with it (until the upgrade bug took over).

I was originally using the Phono inputs on my Denon 3803 but later picked up a Cambridge Audio 640P which made a good difference in sound.

If you go used make sure the person selling it knows how to package it so it will not be damaged in shipping.

[dyazdani]

+1 for Rega or Music Hall.

I haven't checked around recently, wondering if you could scoop up a VPI HW19 Jr for that price range...

[Hdale85]

Not to long ago my friend picked up a MusicHall MMF-5.1 for 550 bucks. Very nice TT.

[exojam]

Just a quick check on Audiogon, there is a decked out Rega 3 for the top end of your budget. If you could go there and maybe another 100 for your cartridge, maybe a Ortofon 2M Red? If not, just keep checking around for some deals and check for the other brands guys have mentioned.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1234395447&/Rega-P3-+funk+groovetracer-pri

[Russ L]

Are you using a phono stage within an amp or did your father take the phono pre as well? Remember that a good phono stage is as important to the sound as a TT or the cartridge.

[iiaudio]

Thanks for the replies. I'm leaning toward new, but if I can find one used locally I'd be into that. I'm not too keen on buying sight unseen.

I'll be using the phono pre on my rotel RC-1082 which has been doing a nice job.

[H.T.C]

I believe marantz makes a few turntables and may have 1 around the $500.00 price point.

[David Meek]

I'll second the recommendation of the Music Hall MMF 5.1



It's a turntable/arm/cartridge system that produces excellent sound and comes already set up.

FWIW, the Rega P2 should have been right along side the MMF 5.1 but it's been discontinued by Rega. However, because of that, you still might be able to find a new one and get it at a really good price.

[Hdale85]

The cart's that come with the MMF's are extremely nice and usually if bought separately are like 1/2 the cost or more of the TT :B

[littlesaint]

The cart's that come with the MMF's are extremely nice and usually if bought separately are like 1/2 the cost or more of the TT :B

Agreed.

I picked up a used MMF-5 (glass platter) for <$400 awhile back. The 5 and 5.1 come with a Goldring 1012GX MM which runs about $300 separately.

[Alaric]

I'm happy with my mmf-5SE. Bought it "pre-owned" , but in the original , unopened box , for under $600. :T