Help…looking to buy turntable

"ready to play" = The Rega within your budget.

   A lot of good advice given here. Aside from good recommendations from others, I would look into local dealers who sell audio but have a strong repair staff. Many of these local dealers have knowledgeable people who can also order from companies selling new or used stuff. And it can be serviced locally.

   Adventure into vinyl is a trip worth taking. Good Luck in yours.

I have a Rega R2 and really like it. It is ready to play. With all turntables the first step up is the cartridge. When I wanted to take the step, I got an Audio-Technica VM95ML. Even better, still affordable.

I think this will be a better choice for you at $1350. Given that this is factory refurbished but from a good dealer. It is a good table made by ClearAudio and comes with a very good ClearAudio Virtuoso Wood Ebony MM cartridge. Cartridge alone retails for about $1000. For a new table, you can also consider the MoFi StudioDeck Foundation for $1199 from the same dealer.

Marantz tt-15s1

MoFi StudioDeck

Clearaudio Concept