Depends on what you want to spend and how long you see yourself listening to your records. All comments based on experience ...
at $2K - buy the new Technics 1200GR @$1700. Several excellent cartridges in the $200 - $300 range, depends on your phono preamp. You will be set for a very long time with this TT.
at $1100 - buy the Project Classic 25th Anniversary model. Already set-up with an Ortofon cartridge. Good choice if you want better than a budget experience.
at $300 - Audio Technica LP120. Set aside that $200 for a better cartridge. Smart and safe choice if you are not certain how deep you want to dive into this. Really nice for the cash. Have set up two friends with this TT.
The Pioneer mentioned above is not shabby. Do some research on Super OEM turntables. The Pioneer is cut from that cloth. I spent a few years with a Stanton ST150 (M1). They get the job done, but when you spend some more and get over the $1000 mark, you will notice the differences and they are substantial.
As for buying a vintage TT, hope that the seller knew what he was doing. A pure learning experience. A potential rabbit hole ... TTs were built better 30 and 40 years ago, but so was I. My experience is that sellers dump these when they tire of them and are looking to upgrade to where they originally wanted to be. I prefer to buy new.
This so depends on what your expectations are in terms of sound. Go too cheap and you will wonder what the fuss is all about.
Rich
