Which belt-driven table to play Rock vinyl?


YATTANT - Yet Another Turntable Adviced Needed Thread!

Ok,

I'm ready to take the plunge and get my first high end table. I'll start auditioning tables next month and I'm putting together the "hit list" now. I'm looking for a belt-driven, high mass turntable for playing about 99% Rock music ( 1960s - today, but mostly 1970s/1990s).

Things I don't want:
  • an overly "fiddly" table ala VPI or the Schiit Sol
  • a factory packaged table/arm (and sometimes cartridge too) combo.

Brands I'm NOT interested in*:
EAT / MusicHall / Project / Rega / Techniques / VPI

Things I want/need in a table
  • Accurate 33 1/3 & 45 rpm platter speeds. Fine adjustments a plus.
  • Reliable and built to last
  • Table must be made within the last 5 years by a company that's still open and servicing customers.
  • Low maintenance after a professional setup
  • Low background noise - I like to make vinyl rips
  • Wide/3D Natural soundstage that's realistic and musical.
  • A wee bit of drive/PRAT would be ok as well. Not too much.
  • Ideally flat response ( no EQ tweaking gimmicks, etc) and little to no coloration by the table/arm/cartidge
  • Detailed but not sterile/clinical. I want detail retrieval, but being a tad forgiving on less well mastered LP's would be a plus.

Budget... Mentally I pieced this together
  • around $1500 for a tonearm ( I had Audiomods series 6 / Jelco 850 in mind based on descriptions alone )
  • around $750 for a cartridge ( I'm eyeballing the Nagaoka MP 500 based on descriptions alone )
  • around $3000 for the table

So that's a bit over $5k. I figure I could get a nice setup for that price. I am interested in new gear or, ideally, dealer demos of recent/current models to stretch a bit higher. Please toss me your suggestions.

Last thing: If it helps.. These brands seemed interesting in my googling around the net*:
Acoustic Signature / Clear Audio / Feickert Analog / Gold Note / JA Michell / Nottingham Analog / Origin Live / Scheu Analog / Sota
( Other brands meeting my criteria are welcome )


* brands listed alphabetically before someone asks

PS Let's hope I got all of those terms correct.

128x128bigslacker
I have the Gold Note Mediterraneo table with the G.N. ph/psu 10's and love it, and I listen to alot of classic rock 60/70 early 80's. I will be upgrading to the bigger B7 tonearm in the spring.

The Pianosa and Gigilo are in your price range, even the 425 Valore Plus is a decent priced table. 
The Technics is a lot of turntable for the money but I'll agree with effischer on this one. The SOTA has one big advantage over all the other turntables out there except the SME, Basis and Air Force turntables and that is a perfectly tuned suspension system that isolates the platter, tonearm and cartridge from just about anything. With the new magnetic bearing, motor and speed controller it is very hard to beat at any price.
SOTA will mount a Jelco arm for you which will handle any mid to low compliance cartridge, the vast majority of them out there.
Thorens TD309 is my choice (and my dream turntable) to step up from my entry Thorenns TD203, BTW which I'm quite happy with. With your larger budget the TD309 is available w/ careful shopping near your budget. Many of awards and great reviews too.

https://www.thorens.com/en/thorens®-td-309.html

https://www.amazon.com/Thorens-309-Tri-Balance-Manual-Turntable/dp/B01822FDSG/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Th...
Pear Audio Blue Little John with an Ortofon 2M Black. Comes in under your budget and rocks.
Why, the Townshend Audio Rock, of course. If you’re into 50’s Rockabilly, Chess Records, etc., it will be the original Cranfeld Rock turntable. For British Invasion, the Mk.2. For Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Black Sabbath, the Mk.3. For AC/DC, Aerosmith, and Queen, the Mk.4. For The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, and The Clash, the Mk.5. For Nirvana and Soundgarden, the Mk.6. And If it’s current Rock artists you play, go for the Mk.7. If it’s for LP’s that have yet to be pressed, wait for the upcoming Mk.8.