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Best sounding turntable and cartridge for $1100

I have seen a lot of turntable and cartridges packages in  $1000- $1100, such as the Project RPM3 with the Sumiko BP-2 MC.   Project Xperience 1 with a Sumiko Pearl MM;  Rega Planar 3 with a Elys II cartridge. 

 I have formerly owned a Rega 3-24 with Elys II  and a Project Carbon DC with Ortofon 2M Red (which I did not like at all) . Would like to try something different, but can live with the above brands depending on their overall performance 

Need recommendations for turntable/cartridge new or used combo that punches far above its price of  $1100.  Thank you

   

sunnyjim
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,202 posts
 
You say you no likey Ortofon Blue yet inc it in options.
Get a Rega Planer 3 with Elys fitted hifi heaven $1145

Edit ... you already had a 24. Um... see my first comment at the top.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
Ah, noromance. It is not my fault that the choices I listed are prepackage the Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge.  It is even worst that VPI has prepacked the Ortofon 2M Red  with  Traveler and Scout II  or did a few years ago. Does that make any sense??  Not to me.
 
Also, lay off the "you no likey Ortofon Blue" schtick

BTW, why should I buy a Rega P-3 with the Elys II, when I can buy a used Rega RP6 with the same Elys II.   It is a better table, and even if the new P-3 is close in performance, the used RP-6 is $200 less and the selling price could be probably negotiated down another $100 . 
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,202 posts
 
The same reason I could by a 2 year old Mercedes E350 for $26k or a new Nissan Sentra for the same money.
mesch
3,530 posts
 
Sunny, I own a Blue Point No. 2 cartridge which has no more than 30 hrs on it. I went to the dark side and now source primarily digital. I am going to put this cartridge up for sale here on AG. I will inspect it under my dissecting scope to insure it is like new, as I am confident it is. I will try and get my add up in the next couple days. If interested and you get to the add just send me a private message. We can discuss any concerns at that time.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

To mesch,  Thanks for the  heads up.  I read several reviews of this cartridge. What is your opinion of its sound quality   I actually owned the original  Blue Point Special, which I renamed the "Blue Plate" Special  It was just too bright......    It was mounted on the Audioquest P-6  tonearm and  spun on a  VPI  HR-19  Junior

To noromance, I respect your opinion and comments, but that  analogy does not work for me.

 

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