What turntable, $500 or less


Okay, so I'm thinking that I'd like to get back to vinyl. I say "back" because I used to "dj" (beat match and mix records). Anyways, I used, and liked, technics sl 1200 with ortofon cartrideges. How do these rate in the audiphile arena? What are your recommendations for a complete setup (catridge, turntable, tone arm, phono stage (never even knew about phono stages unril recently, and I still don't know much about them)? Thanks for your help!!
128x128b_limo
Hey B_limo, re-read my post and you will see why I went with the 1.3. I have not had any vibration problems. I have had zero problems. My wife has problems with me playing all my records!

As far as keeping it around $500 then my advise would be to get the carbon and maybe you will like the Ortofon that comes with it.

I dont know your system but you could get the Cambridge pre-amp or even the Pro-Ject phono pre...or something cheaper and keep it all at $500 easy.

The Carbon sounded fine but not once I went to the Denon DL-110.... {See my post above}

Hope that helps a little....

db
Photodusty, well maybe I will go with the 1.3, and just upgrade to the denon catridge when I can. I don't want to skimp and save $200 if I can gain quite a bit better sound if I go with the 1.3 and denon catridge vs. the carbon and ortofon catridge. What phono pre amp do you recommend? Would you suggest a pro ject just to keep it all in the same family? If so, there looks like there is one for $199, and then a tube ond for $299. Im asking you because it seems likd you've done alot of research on this. Thanks!
For those of you who may like the new Project Carbon, you can by paying extra get the Acrlit platter to swap out the standard metal one and thus any issues with a MC cartridge would be eliminated. The Acrlit platter goes for around $130 U.S. though. But still keeps a high value turntable in a relatively lower price point.
There certainly are other options out there. But after my long search I landed at the 1.3.

I have the Cambridge 640p which sounds fine, but just came into a fantastic and rare Soundcraftsmen pre-amp that is incredible.

You certainly wont go wrong with the Cambridge or the Pro-Ject.

This is where this hobby can shake your brain and your cash :-) {and we are in the "budget" audiophile market :-)

Good Luck and listen to as many systems as you can.

db
Is the 1.3 s better turntable though? The carbon at $399 + $130 for the different platter brings the total to $530, which is $30 more than the 1.3. I like the looks of the carbon more and I like the idea of being able to upgrade as funds become available. I think I will want to use that denon catridge. I've heard good things about it. Also, which pro ject phono stage? The tube one or not? I like the idea of having a warmer sound, would the tubes be the way to go? Thanks again for everyones help on this. I feel totally lost about the whole turntable thing.