Best turntable under $4000

Imho, never consider buying a table without also considering the arm and cartridge to go with it as a system.
 

fwiiw, I’ve got a VPI HW MK IV, Sumiko MMT, and a Koetsu Onyx. I bought the store model of the table and arm, the cartridge second hand from someone I trusted. 

Technics SL-1200G (GAE)

Dr. Feikert, 1st I've seen for sale. No Dust Cover sucks

Oldie but Goodie, rare Open Box

https://audio-database.com/TechnicsPanasonic/player/sl-1300mk2.html

If anyone is interested, I know all about them, this one is in very nice shape. Needs provided belts installed, and arm adjustments which are explained clearly in the manual.

Revox, Linear Tracking

Nice Looking Well Built Yamaha

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

https://audio-database.com/YAMAHA/player/yp-d10.html

Sony BIOTRACER Electronic Arm (anybody had one?)

"The Sony PS-X600 is a fully-auto turntable with direct-drive motor system and Biotracer electronically controlled tonearm.

The unit features auto-record size selection, electronic stylus force and anti-skating adjustment, synchronised operation with Sony cassette decks, a muting system and magnedisc servo system."

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https://audio-database.com/SONY-ESPRIT/player/ps-x600.html

Micro Seiki, Wood Look rather than their more typical metal

I'd want to know if real rosewood veneer or vinyl wrap. Based on grain direction on ends, I suspect/hope real wood, dust cover end panels are wood also

I highly recommend you look at Rega. A company that has been making turntables since the 70’s and to me not only sound great but look great as well. Going from a $500 table to a $4K table is a pretty big jump. I would recommend a mid level table like the P3 from Rega or P6 if you want to spend a little more. The P3 with an upgraded mm cartridge (Exact 2) or look at a P6 with the same mm cartridge or step up to the Ania mc cartridge. A P8 would be in the $4k range but if you want to enjoy the journey (hear the difference as you move up in the line) then I would gradually upgrade. Just my opinion. 

good luck!
 

Montgomery Ward, World-Pioneering since 1872. Just to remember them

Montgomery Ward is the name of two successive U.S. retail corporations. The original Montgomery Ward & Co. was a world-pioneering mail-order business and later also a leading department store chain that operated between 1872 and 2001

I have an RT85 and actually like it! Nice sounding deck. I also now have 3 high-end decks: Clearaudio Innovation Compact, Master Innovation, SOTA Nova V.

Yes, the high end decks are better. The weaknesses of the RT85:

• Bad energy management from putting a high compliance 2M Blue on its heavy-ish tonearm. The table’s feet are on a sort of suspension to try and combat this, with limited success. Any energy coming in from your speakers is gonna cause problems. Ideally you’re on concrete slab to at least eliminate large displacements.
• The tonearm bearings are not great. There’s noticeable "play" and it doesn’t have a silky smooth action like better arms.

I thought about putting an MC cartridge on it to better match the arm mass - something like a Benz Ace SM. But in the end, decided this would be a waste given the tonearm’s quality shortcomings. A Cadenza Black would be way overkill. It’s already nicely matched to the 2M Blue, quality wise (if not compliance-wise).

So anyways, I think SOTA is a always a fine answer for these sorts of questions. Unfortunately their prices have gone up a good bit, though it’s come with significant materials & tech improvements. Unless you’re on concrete slab, you really want to make your like easier with their 4-point suspension on the Sapphire and higher models. You might be able to squeeze in a Sapphire - I haven’t priced them out lately.

for your viewing pleasure, a Micro-Seiki with 3 tonearms installed

custom round table included. 6,000 euros

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here, TT only, $1,900. No armboards included (not readily available)

. you could make your own easily enough

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and 2 arms,

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vintage knob

cpdkee OP

22 posts

01-28-2023 at 07:00am 

Thank you everyone for the responses.  All the feed back helped me narrow my search. Looks like I am going blow my budget on just the table and arm then buy the cartridge seperately. Thank you all

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did you buy a TT?

The Mc is way cool.

That "Accutrac 4000" turntable.

Wasn't that the turntable on "COLUMBO  THE BYE BYE SKY-HIGH IQ MURDER CASE"?

Great song in the closing credits.

unusual from McIntosh: Integrated TT with Preamp and Amp Built-In

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It’s not worth further discussion.

@lewm The best advice I could give to a newbie is to buy a belt driven transcription  type turntable. But even that comment would be met with disapproval. I’d also try educating that person on the various types of tonearms and how adding an after market tonearm to a good table with a stable motor can potentially reward the listener with a better rig. I’d also recommend potential buyers to visit their local dealers to find out what type of tables they offer. I believe the point is to plant a seed in the mind of newbies so they developed a curiosity and eventually understand the advantages and disadvantages regarding various design choices in both new and vintage turntables. I honestly think the best way to help on these forums is just to mention all of those things I mentioned above as they come to mind. There’s no way we can help someone completely, they are going to have to think for themselves. If someone looks at an $800.00 direct drive table and think it’s going to beat the flagship VPI in a listening test, then they just lack the brain power to make pragmatic choices and should have an appointed legal guardian to take care of their finances.

lewm

true, all these are not meant for newbies, that's for them to decide,

others have varying skills, perhaps like me, didn't know that model existed.

newbie, like my two nephews, this will get em started enough to decide if they are going to stick with Vinyl.

$228. best price I found, orders confirmed, shipping/tracking issued (could have been a come-on)

I just sent them 100 lps each.

Goofy and Elliot, OK, perhaps I should have put it another way:  Many of the turntables you guys have recommended either suck outright or are going to be problematic for any newbie, because old TTs (e.g., greater than 20 years) with high degrees of automaticity (e.g., autolift at the end of an LP) are going to need service, if not in the short run then very soon thereafter. So, for a true newbie, which neither of you are, purchase of complex vintage TTs is not advisable, no matter how quaint any particular one of them may be.  An initial bad experience with a troublesome TT might alienate someone from vinyl altogether. I guess that's what got under my skin. I meant no offense.

Scuffs in Dust Covers,

if not bad, an idea how to solve them:

I spilled Goof Off on one of mine (idiot).

I took my dust cover to my auto body shop, just like old headlight lenses, they polished it, like new

I knew Micro Seiki had the DDX-1000, most compact TT that fits 3 tonearms, saw one at VAS with Steve and Ray

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/micro-seiki/ddx-1000.shtml

just saw they had a DDX-1500, fits 4 tonearms (says 4 short arms)

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/micro-seiki/ddx-1500.shtml

oh, right click the image 'open in new window' works!

btw,

The camera forum I have been on since 2012, we encourage personal stories, and the site lets you send private messages with phone numbers, addresses, I have several new friends I have met and take photo trips together.

pindac, others

I can paste links to things I find, a photo and part of the listing show up

HOWEVER

When I click on them, nothing happens.

The ones that show just the page address, I can copy and paste the link, or click on the address, it takes me to the proper page.

What happens when you click the ones with photos????

@elliottbnewcombjr You Stated the following 

"As I said, I always imagine other people following the threads with TT interest, but different budgets, objectives".

"Add that I'm retired, have the time and it's fun looking every day for new listings, finding TT's I never knew existed".

In response to your first statement, I am 100% with you, there are thousands of individuals looking in that do not post, always best to think of how a content provided might be of use to the broader community.

As for the second statement, the Link should speak for itself.

Enjoy.

Nakamichi Dragon TT, never knew it existed

I showed one of these in bad shape earlier, this one is in decent shape. Repeat: I set one up for my friend (also met here),they are surprisingly solid and sound darn good. Automatic or Manual.

A decent start for someone jumping in to vinyl.

It does need someone who can make adjustments, the manual is available and clear to follow if handy.

Mounting cartridges for these far easier than pivoted arms. 

this would scare me when new, a real risk used, but, for unique features:

The Accutrac 4000 features a computerized control panel, a'seeing" cartridge with infra-red electro optics, a "hands-off" tone arm, electronically controlled direct drive motor, a cordless remote transmitter. LED indicator receiver and integrated circuitry to eliminate cumbersome mechanical parts. The Accutrac 4000 combines the latest breakthroughs in MOS computer circuitry and the latest advancements in direct drive technology to create the State-of -the-Art for direct drive turntables.

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my 2012 Volvo C70 hard top convertible mechanism was a bit concern. I wanted a convertible, a decent back seat, and room for a wheelchair in the trunk to take my mother hither and thither (she just turned 100!)

I took the risk, so far lucky.

lewm,

OP is and has been non-communicative. Never even answered simple questions early in the thread.

As I said, I always imagine other people following the threads with TT interest, but different budgets, objectives.

And, despite a $4,000. budget, many less costly TT's are very good choices for some.

Add that I'm retired, have the time and it's fun looking every day for new listings, finding TT's I never knew existed, ...

Also, I always hope other members might chime in on a model I find/post.

I'm off to see new listings, primarily USA and Canada which has a strong Audiophile community.

@lewm the best turntable under $4,000.00, I never made such a claim but this Realistic isn’t the first table in it’s class to be mentioned here. I read the original post but the conversation has been meandering from page one. The Technics is the best table under $4,000.00, seriously? As far as I can tell, you were never appointed the ‘Director’ of this thread. Everyone has a vote but no one has a veto.

So a Realistic Lab400, valued at $350 CAD, or a JVC QLY66F, for sale for even less might actually be "the best turntable for under $4000"?  That's rhetorical, because I don't think so.  If you guys want to turn this thread into a "guide to inexpensive vintage turntables currently for sale", you may as well go for it, because the OP seems to have left the building.

An underrated turntable on the cheap,

Tempting, $2,500.

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https://audio-database.com/VICTOR/player/ql-y66f.html

Micro Seiko BL 91......excellent table.....

Cheers.....

My friend Jim (met here) has this Auto Technics previously posted, absolutely loves it

that’s NOS, this one, JUST LISTED, is Open Box

Acoustic Solid is similar to Transrotor but less expensive. You can buy one without the tonearm if you wanted to upgrade. Thomas Schick seems to be a fan of EMT turntables. Rega is a pretty safe option. 

@cpdkee,

I own the Clearaudio Concept Wood and am having a great experience with it.  If you decide to go this route, I strongly recommend the Satisfy Carbon tonearm option.  Also, if the phono preamp built into your excellent Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III supports MC, you can also consider the Concept MC cartridge with boron cantilever and microline stylus.  It's a great $1K cartridge that is often included in a package for ~ $400.   Wishing you the best in your search.

Music Hall Stealth $1,649

Sumiko Starling $1,799

$3,500 before tax.

Sound quality: priceless!

I have suggested the Toshiba / Aurex SR-510 on this forum in the past and got a bit of grief for the suggestion being made.

I own this model along with other Japanese Vintage Models.

I am not a fan of the Base of the Bearing Housing, it will need a little extra thought and design put in place to enable the Bearing Modifications I like to see utilised put in place.

I have listened to one for a short period and have no concerns for the performance, it has shown another model that is well sought after to be wanting, and as a base model, has great potential. This is one I look forward to becoming a completed modification project, in my view, when complete, it will seriously hold its own against the most sought after standard versions, or even modified versions of DD TT's from the same era of production.

I learnt of this TT through a member of another forum, and one who is possibly the most experienced of Vintage through to Hi End Modern Vinyl Replay equipment that I know. Their assessment of it in use, claims it has a presentation that is closely related to Micro Seiki DD TT's.

The SR-510 proved to be worthy for them to set it up with a Tonearm and Cart' with a Value of approx' £6000. This is the type of investment the user thought was able to be added to the TT and not be wasteful.

I know this TT was used without too much TLC added to the old mechanics, and the impression in this condition was reported on as being very good. My investigation of the mechanics of this TT has shown that a lot can be achieved by doing a little, but the ideal upgrade is presented with a few hurdles to be gotten over.   

It is seriously worth a Punt. What is an absolute reassurance for the OP is that the experience of this TT will not set them back anywhere near the $4K being proposed as a spend limit.     

Denon, open box, quartz direct drive, auto-lift with 2 arm wands

An Automatic Quartz Locked Direct Drive Beauty, $3,000. free ship

Removable Headshell, YAY!

This Mark Levenson 515 is new to me, asking $4,900.

Ignorance is treatable, dogma. Do some homework.

I don’t understand why some people recommend Technics. At best, entry level. I think if it as a general consumer item. DJs love them. 
 

I have been using the VPI HW for 38 years. For the last 10, the MK IV with SAM. 

To get started, to see if you are going to stay in the game, this looks like a good choice

https://audio-database.com/YAMAHA/player/yp-d7.html

still having fun looking

this is nice looking, anyone know if wood veneer or paper wrap that looks like wood?

I always prefer 'add your own arm', and I read it could fit a 12" arm (need to confirm)

Not only are we chatting to ourselves, OP hasn't had anything to say in quite a while.

Next, a year or so, the conversation will be revived by someone.

That happens often enough on the Sony camera site, I get a kick out of it.

Curt, goodbye. I apologize for engaging you.