Good turntable needed, need recomendations.


I am not a vinyl guy but want to become one I have a pair of Vandersteen Sevens coming in and want a source to match. With speaking with my dealer he recommended a Basis turntable. Everything I read states they are good and the vacuum system is the way to go. This puts me into a 20K table though. I am thinking that is just too much money for what I see there.

My problem also is that although the basis tables look nice they all looks like a 3K table, unless you go to the insane models.

So I really think 15K on the top end is my budget I rather be around 10k. But really want something I will like to look at as well.

Part of my issue is being an amateur machinist and a wood worker a piece of cnc plexi glass for thousands of dollars just doesn’t excite me.

Any recommendations, or is the Basis the way to go, thanks in advance for you input.
programmergeek
Good quality tables with a bit more style than Basis, check out Brinkman, Raven, and Origin Live. However, having a local dealer who will take care of setup and keeping you happy may be a better choice overall.
I purchased my table used, and learned to setup the arm and cartridge myself. I invested in the proper tools to perform the work and in my view, it is part of the vinyl experience. You may not want to be involved with that part. If you're willing to take the plunge on setup, then your options are wide open.
If your not a vinyl guy.Then I would stay away from Oracle and Linn. Stay with a table that's a set and forget. Oracles and Linn can be a nightmare to set up and they need much in setup maintenance.Just my thought on the subject.
My Oracles have been set and forget. This myth of difficult setup has been passed down from the original Oracle Delphi and was mostly solved by MKII and solved by MKIv. The latest MKVI is no more difficult to maintain than any table after you put it together. The Linn I dont know anything about.
It seems like appearance will be a major factor in your decision. Maybe the best way to go about this would be for you to visit Needle Doctor, Elusive Disc, Music Direct and Acoustic Sounds. Find a few turntables that appeal to your sense of style (there are plenty below AND above your budget), then come on back and ask for our opinions on them. I, of course will have no opinion because you're playing in a league with which I am unfamiliar.
-Bob
Do you have any friends who listen to vinyl? I would suggest spending some time with people who know vinyl. Listen, play and get comfortable. Also visit more than one dealer. In my opinion you need some exposure before investing that amount of money in an analog front end. The possibilities are many. Find someone local whom you can trust, and learn as much as you can from him before you take the plunge. Alternatively, spend less on something used and learn yourself. There are a couple of good threads on this very subject in the analog forum. Analog IMHO is a real commitment which can have huge rewards. You have a nice problem. Enjoy learning.