Is a PTP Solid 12 (Lenco) worthy of a $5k cartridge

There is no reason for it to not be worthy. There are much more unworthy, overpriced, generic belt-drive tables that show up en masse at every audio show from LA to Munich that people do not hesitate to put kilobuck cartridges on simply due to the false perception of performance that comes along with their price and aesthetically flashy designs.

Turntables and to an even greater extent tonearms are simply a vehicle for the record and cartridge to interface with each other. The PTP decks have a thoughtful and minimalist design, using a drive mechanism that is well regarded for its timeless performance. Considering many supposedly high-end belt-drive designs do not elaborate past a motor 'pod' turning a big disc using a string, I can hardly see how they would be any more worthy of expensive cartridges than the PTP.

Dodge, I bought my L75 NOS only about 10 years ago for $300.  You can still buy a mint L75 for $500 or less.  The motor will run forever, and if it doesn't, there's a huge source of information on how to rebuild them on Lenco Lovers website.  Every other part of the turntable is either easily restored or has been reproduced.  I spent about $500 to have my slate plinth made and about $300 on the PTP top plate.  Even with the overkill bearing (I think I wrote $800, but now I recall it was more like $600), I have about $1900 in the whole thing, less the tonearm.  $2500 buys you a generic belt drive with MDF plinth, platter of either glass, alu, or MDF, and a tiny weak motor with a rubber belt.

K4star, I strongly disagree with your assessment of the importance of the turntable.  Music has tones played in strict time.  When you play an LP, the turntable alone is responsible for the y-axis, time.  Without precise timing, music loses its foundation.

X-axis, not y-axis.
my bad

A shootout between goldmund reference and lenco by a high end builder who designed his own turntable of 400 lb and very well reviewed high end loudspeakers.
https://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=7776.0

Thanks. Thats good news.

I am now shortlisting tonearms. The obvious cost effective choice is Thomas Schick. But I am also looking at Origin Live, SME 3012R or a Fidelity Research FR64s.