$1200... What would you buy?


I've been lurking a long time looking for a turntable. Posted a few times when I thought I knew what I wanted but never pulled the trigger. Now my budget is a little better so I'm curious, what would you recommend? Previoulsly I was considering older Denon's DP-59/60's but with more $$$ I have more options. I've seen VPI's in this range, Sota, Clearaudio, all types. Not sure if I should spend less on a TT and consider a TT amp or be better off with a better TT.

Current setup:
Reciever; Pioneer VSX-94txh
Front; B&W 602 S3
Rear; B&W 601 S3
Center; B&W LCR 600 S3
Sub; Outlaw LFM-1

Thanks.
botit
Get a used MMF-5 as a starter table it originally came with that $300 crtridge .The old MMF-5 came with a GR1021 a moving magnet by goldring.As well with a clamp, cover etc all set up.
People it appears think they want to go analog. After giving it a go, they then, for any number of reasons, decide it isn't their cup of tea. So the MMF-5 a well known starter comes around for sale with some regularity.
The only warning as the owner of such a table is that it is far from the more detail retreiving tables, especially the tables which use MC carts.
The MM cartridge in general requires less of an incredible phono preamp. In fact if you have a classic preamp or in your case receiver, an MM phono input was a standard fixture.
It is a simple table and perhaps others are more detailed at that price point which was about $500-600 new. The current MMF-5 offerings from Music Hall are now near a kilobuck. I would skip it at that point but used it shouldn't legitimately cost you a lot more than $300. That is the price of the original incarnation not a 5.1. The 5.1 bought you some nice trimmings. The 7 adds plinth mass, and a heavier real dense acrylic platter, as well as a step up on the Goldring cartridge ladder, all that adds up to a lot more money. You won't find any in the $400 range. Unless they tore out the arm board and cart. leaving you limbless and paying out the shnozola for a cartridge.
My own next move was a VPI Scout with a $700 cart (680 OK close enough) and the JMW9 arm in a factory package. It is night and day different and very good. plentiful bass and highly detailed. The Dynector 20X HO MC cart I chose is flexable. It can be used with an MM phonostage but the current model is a medium output MC that will require an MC capable phono stage. These can cost as much as you want, of course, dependent on what you decide is aceptable.
All of them tube or SS have to be dead silent not so easy to do.
$1200 should get you the Scout setup. An ideal buy would be from a person who used it only occasionally and not long enough hours for the opportunity to ruin the cartridge. I got mine at a closeout price. It is as much table as I think I will want.
Avoid the temptation of a quick impulse to get a semi automatic from back in the day. The only thing they do automatically is stop working.
I suggest experiment first as cheaply as you can to see if you even care for the routine. If you know you are definitely in love with it then... I would and did get a Scout or the likes e.g. SOTA whatever. Then start figuring out what you are going to do for a good MC phono stage?
Good Luck on your adventure .
I play vinyl but I am far from an analog devotee. Be careful not to sell your other sources.
2nd the Rega,but look for the 5/7 used and pop in a Glider or Blue Point special.
Given your system, I'd try to set a much lower $$ limit on the TT. I sold a Rega P25 a few years ago (no cartridge) for $500. I assume a P3 would be less. Start out small, $300-$500 for a used TT & cartridge......
Botit, Yes, the older Denons are a beautiful table,and i have myself a lesser one on ice as a second table, a DP-2550, with a retro-fitted AQ PT-8 Arm.

Downside of the Denons you mention, is that these Tables are getting up in age, to find a mint one, without Plinth Scars, and Rashes becomes harder, and harde, they'll be top dollar for an el minto example, and the other, even larger possible problem with these, is electrical problems, they were quite sohisticated electronically, and were prone to speed stability problems, with thier magnetic strip on Platter, Sensor, and an array of electronics to make it all happen.

If I had that sort of money,was looking and perhaps a little more $$$ just in case, I would perhaps keep an eye out for a mint VPI Aries 1, that possesses the original Lead Filled Black Acrylic Platter. If it has the JMW 10.5i Arm, all the better.

There's of course a myriad of other fine Tables out there to be had used.

The other gents here have brought up some fine points, and I hope they have helped you to narrow down your choices. Mark