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Need help: turntable market in the $1500-$2000 range is overwhelming

I’m looking for a new turntable. Had a Dual 1229 years ago but it broke and I got out of vinyl and all that. Got a crappy Audio-Technica around the holidays last year because I thought I’d digitize my records but I don’t feel like doing that anymore and it’s a fiddly turntable that doesn’t sound great. I’m giving myself $1500-$2000 to jump in with the expectation of buying something that’ll keep me happy for a few years.

Sorry, but no Technics tables please!!!! Black or silver. They all look like my crappy Audio-Technica and I’m going to be shallow and say looks matter and that I’m agnostic at best about direct drive. Yeah, I’m dumb.

So in the price range I’ve established I’ve looked at and found interesting offerings from:

—SOTA
—Rega
—Pro-Ject
—Music Hall
—Clearaudio
—Marantz

And what feels like a zillion others.

So how the hell do I choose in a market flooded with tables in my price range? 

Oh, and sure, tell me how stupid I am for not wanting a Technics like I keep seeing recommended on the forum, but I’m not going to buy one so please help me with another offering if you can!!!

And I’d prefer to buy new so I can work with a dealer or manufacturer if there are any issues.....
larshepping
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
One nice thing about the Sota tables is that if you ever decide to move up down the road, you can trade in or make significant upgrades, depending on which model you start with. You won't lose value like you do you with many alternatives. A phone call with Donna from Sota will be worth your time to understand that. 
If you are open to used, you can have a table shipped directly to Sota and for $100 they'll evaluate it's condition & provide estimates for any required service. A good way to start with a better product and stay in 

While the Sol seems really cool, it's their first table, and who knows how committed they'll be to support a few years down the road if it doesn't sell well? I'd see that as a risk. 

FWIW, I own a Sota, and previously have owned near top of the line models from both VPI and Technics, as well as other types of gear from Schiit. Cheers,
Spencer
scm
313 posts
 
 Rega...
Lots of upgrades available that you can do a step at a time.
It`s fun and it`s interesting to see what each new component 'brings to the table' :)
I`ve enjoyed doing that exact same thing to my Rega P5
As an example, adding a Groovetracer subplatter was an immediate and very noticeable improvement.
So good, that, that`s the very first thing I would suggest to do.

I put a Origin Live Mk3 silver tonearm on it..another nice improvement ! 
The NEO TTPSU was crazy good too.

My P5 table in hot rod terms has been Bored and Stroked, Ported and Polished with a 3 stages added.
I`ve kept all the original parts and at this point the only original thing on it is the cherry plinth.
It sounds great and was very fun to build ! 
 
 I have a P10 on the way now and that one will most likely stay 'Numbers Matching'.... maybe :)
lewm
12,994 posts
 
You explicitly said you are not interested in a direct-drive turntable, and yet at least 3 of us recommended direct drive.  I won't add to the list, but I will say that among the belt-drive turntables you did list as options there is not much difference.  My personal bias is that Clearaudio usually exacts a premium in cost, based on the brand name and its association with much higher priced models.  So maybe eliminate Clearaudio just on that basis. That still leaves a long list.  None of them is going to be "bad".
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
The OP’s argument against Direct Drive based on his “crappy Audio-Technica” - this is exactly what he said about his AT. In fact it’s AT and Pioneer tried to sell their look alike turntables to kids (wanna be DJs) when Technics temporary stopped making turntables. That was a target audience and hence the low price. OP purchased one of these cheap AT and for some reason decided that Technics looks like his AT, but it’s the other way around. New Technics is another level, but anyway, it’s a matter of taste. I’m tired of the SL1200 mk-whatever look, so my choice was SP-10 mk2.

But Luxman turntables does not look like Technics, AT or whatever turntable. PD-441 is little inexpensive DD with superb design and usability!




lewm
12,994 posts
 
The OP wrote, "I’m agnostic at best about direct drive. Yeah, I’m dumb."You might have a point that this statement does not entirely rule out DD. My own point is that if someone wants to buy one of those cookie-cutter belt-drives, I let them.  As you know, I also have my reservations about your regular practice of recommending vintage DD's to a neophyte vinylista. But I know your heart is in the right place.
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