Analog under 2k?

The EAR 834P will take you along way, especially if you modify it. I wouldn't make the decision about MM or MC until you decide on what arm you will have. That will dictate what cartridge you can use. Have you experienced vinyl in the past? Do you like the warm, musical sound or do you lean more to the highly detailed, somewhat brighter sound? What type of music do you enjoy? Just want to get you thinking.

The Animal makes a good point. There is alot of information along your line of questioning in the archives.

The Aries Scout at 1600 US including JMW 9 arm is very tough to beat in its price point. You can pick from a range of cartridges Dynavector 10X5, clearaudio wood virtuoso, or benz ACE or Glider depending on listening bias. The table is good enough to go 1000+ on a good MC as well

After I posted I went throught the archives to find this question has been asked many, many times. I have about 400 albums fronm the "old days" that are all in good shape, including about 50 MFSL's. I like the warm musical sound, and my musical tastes run from classic rock to classical. I know little about the lastest technology in tables, arms, etc.... After serching for about four hours, I know even less!! I do know that I like the Teres tables, but don't know if I can make that happen.

Well?

Joe

Well Joe, I'll try to help you out.

Get a Teres Model 150 in "kit form", which only requires you to finish-sand, and apply a coat of lacquer to the base. The rest is the same as the assembly of an "assembled" Teres table. Anybody who has ever sanded anything made of wood could do this with their eyes closed. It costs $1700. It has the same features and benefits of the Model 245, except it is Baltic Birch instead of Cocobolo. The sound difference is very small. It is a good value. Have them drill the armboard for a Rega arm.

Next, get a used, good condition Rega RB250 tonearm. You can get them easily for $200, or less on the classifieds.

Then get a Denon DL103 to put on it. They are $149 new. They sound like they should cost alot more than that. If your phono stage won't handle the low output MC cartridges, then get a Goldring 1012GX for under $200. That's a real good lower cost MM cartridge.

That puts you at $2049 plus shipping for the system, or maybe a little more if you choose the Goldring instead of the Denon.

That's as close as I can get you to the $2k mark, and still access the superior sound of the wood-based Teres. I can guarantee that you can't find anything for that price that will beat this rig.

PS - It would be a good idea to also get the adjustable VTA collar for $40 from OL or Expressimo. You really need to have adjustable VTA.

Used Sota tables seem to go for way too little. You can usually pick up a $2500 table for around $700.