Best bang for the buck turntable?

The new improved version of the Rega P 3 is about a month or so away from shipping. It will include th option of adding the same outboard power supply that is available as an option for the P5, a significant upgrade. The price will increase but will still be a bargain at probably $800. The recently improved P2 and recently released P1, Ortofon cartridge included, are both bargains at $525 and $350 respectively. Both are candidates for upgrading from the stock MDF platter to a glass platter for $70, an easily audible improvement. The P5 is a more serious table and arm combo for $1295. The new versions of the Rega cartridges are quite good an available at a discount with a table package. You'd be hard pressed to do better than a P5 with an Exact for the money and that goes for any of the lesser combos in the line. Above that price and the competition gets more complicated. Their phono stage is quite good for the money as well.

Bear in mind I am a Rega dealer...

Good luck on your adventure!

Viridian, Thanks. Although the conflict of interest can certainly insinuate itself, generally dealers, distributors and manufacturers of high end audio equipment are in business because they are passionate about recreating the magic of perhaps the most compelling and accessible of art forms. We are not all that different from the the customers we serve except that, ideally at least, we are in a position to have a bit more experience and inside information, and we commit to making ourselves available to provide this service, a very tenuous choice at times.

preaching to the choir perhaps...

Sadly, very well articulated. True quality is always an elusively moving target. At the top of my game? No. Just aspiring as always. Thanks for the encouragement.