Help me decide on first turntable purchase

+1 for WTL, 

+ 1 for the Well Tempered! The Simplex is in your price range. There also may be some used ones.

If you don't mind a unusual design, Well Tempered Labs makes a very good sounding turntable.

I was like you, I got back into vinyl last year after switching to digital almost 40 years ago. I wanted to be conservative and not spend too much money in case I don’t like it.

I ended up getting a Project Classic. It was selling at a discount last year because the new EVO model came out. I paired it with my good old Shure V15 Type IV, and a Vincent PHO 701 phono stage.

I have to say I never did find the sound was that good. It was different, but not better than my digital setup with Lumin T2.

I decided to upgrade earlier this year and bought the Mofi Ultradeck with the MasterTracker combo. What a huge difference, the Mofi sounds much better, and a lot quieter than the Project. I can’t say I’ve listened to many turntables, but I think the Mofi is a solid choice at its price point.

I also upgraded my phono stage to a Herron, based on the overwhelmingly good reviews here in this forum. I now love my analog setup.

Good luck!

The Ultradeck is fine.

@ wturkey

Save some coin and try a U-Turn.

This is great advice and I tell everyone that asks me the same thing. I did this when I got started. I wasn't certain if I would enjoy playing albums again. I got a basic U-Turn and I quickly learned I loved it. It allowed time to let me find the perfect turntable for my system while buying a lot of albums.

I have a Clearaudio Concept TT with the upgraded Carbon Fiber tonearm and am very satisfied with the table and have never had an issue with the motor or inaccurate speed. I also have a Clearaudio Phono Preamp that sounds great.
I also know two friends with Clearaudio tables with no issues.
Prior to the Concept my primary table was a Music Hall mmf-5 and it performed without an issue for over 15 years and sounded great. Absolutely great value and quality for the price.
I also still have a Technics SL-3200 as a secondary table that I purchased about 40 years ago that is a great table. Enjoy the search!

@jmphotography
Cheapest- buy and sell used.

For new turntable, get the Ultradeck.  Bundling with the positively reviewed Ultratracker or better yet the MasterTracker will save you $.  Even paired relatively inexpensive phono stage will sonically sound better than trying to split the budget- you can further upgrade phono stage later.  

I second the suggestion of not topping out your budget for a part of your system that you’re not sure you’re going to continue; keep your purchases fairly modest initially so you don’t take a large bath when either trying to resell it or just letting it sit around. The VPI Player has a preamp built in and comes with a cartridge, so not a bad way to start, and setup is minimal so you don’t have to spend time worrying about having it right. That will get you involved in vinyl so you can decide if that’s a path you want to follow. 

well for $3 k and some effort you could get a SOTA Sapphire and skip past spending $ on isolation ( btw Townsend is hardly the Apogee of TT isolation - pick your expert advice carefully )

A decent used Jelco, Sumiko, SME arm, a used KC Vibe or Nova III phono or Soundsmith phono stage, and the best Soundsmith or Ortofon you can afford w budget remaining.

The Ultradeck is fine ( yes i have spent many many hours listening to one w Ortofon Bronze )…

but…

I can tell you one thing, the Mofi ultra tracker cartridge is a fantastic MM cartridge. I got one from music direct at a discount for my classic thorens turntable and was very much surprised by the sound! Full, solid, excellent sound stage, great bass and on and on. So if this helps you in your decision, you will be very happy with its performance, since i believe it comes with the Mofi ultradeck . 

Pro-Ject Classic EVO comes with Sumiko Moonstone MM cart.  Musical Suroundings Phonomena II phono preamp has all the adjustments and good enough SQ to get you going.  Tweaking possible with platter mats, future cartridge upgrades, etc.  An Ifi low noise SMPS can improve the phono pre...all for very near $3K.

I agree with the advice to dip your toes in slowly. A buddy of mine spent several thousand on an analog rig a few years ago. In just a couple of months he dumped everything when he found out it just wasn't for him. The good news is I cherry picked all the records he bought for a great price.

Oz

I have a setup similar to yours at least in the amp part. PrimaLuna Evo 300 integrated, Tannoy Autograph Mini, and a REL T/5i sub. I pretty much looked at all the tables you mentioned, and ended up with the Rega P6 with an Ania Pro cart. I got a very good deal from tmraudio.com. For me it came down to essentially plug and play, not having to fit up a cart as I'm new to the world of vinyl, and great reviews. I've had the table for about 1 year now and have been very happy. Fit and finish is top notch, it's been trouble free and sounds wonderful!

OP

For me, even 3K is too much to determine if someone would stick with Vinyl. I’d rather spend the difference on musical content, and upgrade later.

I agree, I don’t like the Technics Metal/Plastic Look (however...).

Your Speakers and Equipment, the sound In your Space, is established. It comes down to: Vinyl, opposed to CD’s and/or Streaming: Surprise: Vinyl Sounds Good! Is it Worth the Work? Do you like the hands-on involvement?

I suggest a lower cost start, ascertain future intentions, learn fundamentals, then, with some acquired knowledge and skills, move up. Keep, sell, give away the initial TT and Cartridge.

Cartridge Alignment is FUNDAMENTAL, I strongly advise an OEM pre-mounted cartridge. Stick with it? then acquire alignment skills PRIOR to upgrading.

I also advise starting with a MM Moving Magnet type, Elliptical Stylus Shape to keep initial costs down.

I prefer Direct Drive, Quartz Locked, however ANY decent TT will produce accurate enough speed, and low enough wow, flutter: IOW, IMO, specs will not be the reason you stick with or don’t stick with Vinyl.

All Phono Cartridges (except horribly expensive Strain-Gauge) require a Phono Stage to provide signal Equalization (cut highs/boost lows) prior to volume control and amplification.

Some starter TT’s have built-in OPTIONAL Phono EQ. Again, ’good enough’ to ascertain Yea or Nay. Then, finding a Phono EQ with better/preferred sound is one of the trickiest parts of refining LP’s sound. I always advise return options for phono stages. This forum is filled with this and that about Phono EQ, happiness and discouragement, big money can be joyful or misspent.

PHONO EQ., my trail

Old Days, prior to CD: Tube Receivers; Tube Preamps; SS Receivers; SS Preamps. Then, after CD: I had a highly respected McIntosh C28 Solid State Preamp, overhauled by the factory. I actually preferred the AT120’s dinky built-in phono eq. I changed to McIntosh Tube Preamp mx110z, it’s MM Phono EQ is wonderful, I’ll never look for better. In my office, just to get a TT going, I bought a a $14. Pyle Phono EQ., sounded decent. Upgrade: I tried a Cambridge Duo, nah, sent it back. Got a Luxman with phono EQ, love it.

COMPARISON:

For direct comparison, buy both CD and LP versions of music you are familiar with and love. In addition we can suggest specific music, excellently engineered, importantly superb imaging, that will help you decide.

A single suggestion, 3 master guitarists, superb recording and imaging:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_Night_in_San_Francisco

STARTER TT

So: as an ugly Technics Look start, I can tell you, I believe this is a very good starter TT, good enough to determine future intentions with Vinyl, then ditch the ugly thing:

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120XUSB-Direct-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Skate/dp/B07N3S4X3P...

I used one for years, upgraded the stylus, changed the cartridge, used it’s built-in Phono EQ. Enjoyably. It could better the CD versions. Then, after research, acquired skills, got my Vintage Wood TT shown here, selected it's 3 tonearms, 3 cartridges, tried my first MC cartridge, bit by bit, all with help from members here.

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9511

I gave the AT120 to someone like yourself getting back into vinyl.

Then the world of upgrades lies beyond.

Hello,
I am not an expert my any means. I go to MC for advise.  If you can live without the Rega NEO speed controller for now I would go with the Rega P3. If you are going from 331/3 to 45 you will need to shift the belt under the platter. Rega carts are good but I feel you have more options. I say get the table without the cart. Buy a nice cart. Dynavecktor has a 10x5 mk2 MC in low or high output. So you set your phono preamp to MM for the high output or MC for the low output. I own it and it sounds really good. You can go with the Schiit Mani which I also own. Again it is great for the money but it is a little basic. Some of the Rega guys can get you into a $1200 preamp. Or buy the Rega P3 which now comes with the better Exact cartridge for $1200. If you can open up the wallet just a little more I would go with the Hegel V10. This even has balanced outputs, big sound and resolution for the money. The reason I am telling you about this setup is I own it or have tested it. Plus, When you upgrade you can do so to the table and even add the speed controller. Or sell it or trade it in on your next table. The P3 is very popular to sell because it’s a great starter table, has tons of upgrades you can do as money comes in, and isn’t out of people’s price range like the P6 can be. So $3250 before tax and you will be amazed by the sound. Or stay within budget by getting the Exact cartridge. Or go slightly over budget with the Exact cartridge and the Neo speed controller. If someone lives near the Chicagoland area this store has Rega, Dynavecktor, and Hegel. https://holmaudio.com/
I hope this helped. 

I have the Mofi Ultradeck with the Ultra cartridge and the Manley Chinook MK II with the better tubes and higher gain. My wife and I danced and smiled a lot. Have it now couple years. Play Ella and Louis, Nina Simone sings the blues, Star Wars soundtrack, Black Keys the Breaks, Gillian Welch the Revelator, Sturgil Simpson High Top Mountain, Chris Stapleton… we are focusing on enjoying the music and I love this dynamic TT ! Enjoy my friend 

Audio-Technica LP-7

Built in Phono MM+MC+ Facility for external
Stylus upgrade possible without having to buy new cartridge

Save some coin and try a U-Turn. They have units with built in phono stages. Will it be better than the other tables mentioned? No. Will you have it unboxed and playing records to a satisfactory degree in 15 minutes after unboxing? Yes. Resale is pretty good. If it turns out vinyl is not your thing, no big loss. 

@elliottbnewcombjr I am not certain, that is why I don't want to jump in at 5 to 7K. I don't have much vinyl, so we will see how it goes and if I like it and stay with it then I can upgrade in a few years. 

@cd318 sorry, just not a fan of the Technics look. My TT when I was a teenager was a Technics, but I just don't care for the look now. I don't dislike the Rega, but I prefer the styling of the Clearaudio and Music Hall Walnut. I like the Ultradeck though as well.

Sorry ..have to disagree with above....avoid the exact cart...it almost ruined me for getting back into vinyl....There are much better choices for the money. I also got out of the rega turntable game because of inability to adjust tonearm height without 3rd party gizmos.

I do think the cart (and phono pre) is far more of a factor than the table

This is my experience and opinion...I may be wrong 😉

I basically went though the same thing to get back into Vinyl. I went with the Rega 6 and their MC, as it avoided all the setup issues and matching, etc. It was high enough 'high-end' to satisfy a jump back into vinyl, without going over board. But it was a tough choice between that and Clearaudio and Music Hall. It turns out I'm glad I didn't go up to the next level ($7-10K in my opinion) as I like (repeat I like) my digital setup, sound and convenience much more then spinning records again. 

Technics SL-1200 MK7

 accept no substitutes. She will last you 35 years with proper care and maintenance.

we own 3 of them, 2 are well over 30 years old, still start/stop on dime, and play as new.

Or use up your budget on the SL-1200G
or the SL-1210gr. 
 Last TT you will ever buy, no belts, no problems with speed, just 30 years of trouble free ,visually stunning reliability. 

You don't like the Technics or the Rega, dare I say the 2 most obvious choices?

That's unfortunate.

I wouldn't rule out Clearaudio either. It's simply unthinkable that an established company like that would risk their reputation by using poor quality motors.

Many years ago Pink Triangle were bought down by persistent rumours of speed instability. All of which seemed to stem from one particular review which seemed to be endlessly resuscitated.

Of course years later it is common fact that Pink Triangle made some of the best turntables ever built.

If all else fails, why not consider the Pro-Ject Classic. Their Carbon was already a good deck, and this is better.

I can second what MC said about siting. It really can make all the difference.

I found a lightweight rigid wooden table preferable to any wall shelf but every situation (turntable/room) can be different. 


https://www.project-audio.com/en/product/the-classic/

Only you know your situation, where the table will go, how you want it to sound. Rega are light and fast. Clearaudio even more fast and lean. VPI go the other way, MoFi, Music Hall sort of in the middle. How much you like the looks can sometimes matter as much as sound. This is fine because there is a lot more difference between carts, phono stages and arms than tables. Hate to generalize but this is a tendency. 

Then in terms of what you get don't forget that what you put it on is almost equally important. Especially if you go something light and stiff like Rega, you will want a really nice platform for it. But not just Rega, they all benefit big time. On the budget end you have Nobsound, while on the top end Townshend. In between lies a no-mans land of stuff that costs a lot more than Nobsound but not near as good as Townshend. Either of these are so good as to be almost mandatory equipment. For the table and the phono stage too by the way.   

Keep all that in mind then. This by the way is almost exactly the advice Michael Fremer gave me 30+ years ago. Didn't tell me what decision to make. Helped me understand how to make my own decision. Hope this helps you too.

If  $3k is total budge of table and phono stage, consider  the $130 Schiit  Mani. 

This is based  on taking a personal demo with the Mofi thru my PL.  The Ultradeck is a a good value.

Best future upgrade is a decent LOMC then a $2-3K phonostage. It will take your LP playback to another level.

If you can avoid making a purchase for an extended period.
I suggest selecting a few Albums that have impressed you from the digital collection and see if these are available for reasonable money as a Vinyl Purchase. 
To get the maximum value of the Vinyl as a source media, if these can be cleaned for you, it would be worth the small additional investment.
Both yourself and any owner of equipment being demonstrated will appreciate recently cleaned LP's   

From that point on, it will depend on how many demonstrations you can arrange for a Vinyl Set Up within your budget. 
My thoughts are that if you stick close to your Budget with New Equipment you will be more impressed how a Digital Source SQ Compares.
If you are looking at having demonstrations of used devices that were once over your budget, there is a good possibility that the Vinyl Source might be able to show the attractors it is known for over the Digital.

 As an initial experiment and re-introduction to a Vinyl Source,
acquiring a few Albums is not too expensive and the arranged demonstrations could introduce you to a new friend who is kept in contact with.

I would add VPI to your list.  Of the ones you mentioned, I would go for the Mofi Ultradeck.  I had a Music Hall 7.1 and it is a pretty decent table with good isolation and a good arm for the price point.  I've never had the chance to do any serious listening to a Rega, so I'm not saying that I've listened to that table and prefer the others over it.

The phono stage is important, don't skimp on that.

Are you fairly sure you will stick with Vinyl, or just wondering?

I have had 2 Rega’s. And the P6 with the Ania cartridge or even the Exact cartridge is a great value in my opinion. 

And listen to the options before you make a decision