The SP12 pickup is long out of production and replacement styli are very hard to come by so that's a big problem right off the bat. The old 3000 was an okay table sonically but I can't see any reason to use one today unless it has some special appeal that no other table can equal.
The later B&O units that use the MMC series cartridges are a much better choice. Replacement cartridges are available through www.sound-smith.com. You can probably find a Beogram 1800 or RX for around $100 and a new cartridge will set you back between $150 and $1500. So equipped, B&O radial tracking tables can sound quite good as can the more expensive tangenital trackers. I had a Beogram 3000 and with the $500-ish MMC1 it was a good performer.
Remember one thing, though: when a B&O breaks, it costs a small fortune to fix and only a handful of shops will even attempt it. They have complex mechanisms and in the case of the tangenital trackers, complex electronics as well. Many are nearing the end of their useful lives and those that aren't will at least require a belt service, cleaning and lubrication.
Given all that...how about a new $395 Rega P1? Looks vintage in that it is not much different in appearance than Regas of the 1970s. Made in England, stylish, simple, almost bulletproof and easy as can be. Plug it in, screw the counterweight all the way in, put the platter on and in two minutes you're playing records. You can upgrade the performance simply by swapping out the supplied stylus on the included Ortofon cartridge if you want more detail.
The new $650 Denon DP-500M has a vintage look and with a $180 Denon DL-160 cartridge it will throw a nice soundstage and produce a "big" sound.
Finally, the good old Technics SL-1200Mk2 is still around and looks the same as it did in the days of disco. Search the threads...many of us think these are the cat's ass and for good reason. Kevin at www.kab-usa.com can hip you to the scene if you so choose.
Good luck!
The later B&O units that use the MMC series cartridges are a much better choice. Replacement cartridges are available through www.sound-smith.com. You can probably find a Beogram 1800 or RX for around $100 and a new cartridge will set you back between $150 and $1500. So equipped, B&O radial tracking tables can sound quite good as can the more expensive tangenital trackers. I had a Beogram 3000 and with the $500-ish MMC1 it was a good performer.
Remember one thing, though: when a B&O breaks, it costs a small fortune to fix and only a handful of shops will even attempt it. They have complex mechanisms and in the case of the tangenital trackers, complex electronics as well. Many are nearing the end of their useful lives and those that aren't will at least require a belt service, cleaning and lubrication.
Given all that...how about a new $395 Rega P1? Looks vintage in that it is not much different in appearance than Regas of the 1970s. Made in England, stylish, simple, almost bulletproof and easy as can be. Plug it in, screw the counterweight all the way in, put the platter on and in two minutes you're playing records. You can upgrade the performance simply by swapping out the supplied stylus on the included Ortofon cartridge if you want more detail.
The new $650 Denon DP-500M has a vintage look and with a $180 Denon DL-160 cartridge it will throw a nice soundstage and produce a "big" sound.
Finally, the good old Technics SL-1200Mk2 is still around and looks the same as it did in the days of disco. Search the threads...many of us think these are the cat's ass and for good reason. Kevin at www.kab-usa.com can hip you to the scene if you so choose.
Good luck!