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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
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

Thanks to all who have responded and provided many good TT options.

However, I ran across and ad for  "U-Turn Audio turntables" on a Stereophile newsletter. I have never heard of this company, but their website is impressive and offers a slide show of the manufacturing process of their tables  located in Woburn, Massachusetts.

They offer a few models and  a "custom option" where the buyer can pick and choose features.  I priced out  their "Orbit Plus" table  with  Red plinth, acrylic platter, cueing lift, and a Grado Black cartridge (comes with dustcover and phono cables) The total price was $349.00; and $369.00 with the Ortofon 2M RED.. 

No matter I could replace either at some point with something much better.  The pricing seems very reasonable.  Has anyone auditioned or  owned one of these tables. If so, would you know how the U-Turn table might compare to the Music Hall 5.1 table with their own Magic 3 cartridges.??  There are several on sale on AG, and also by some internet vendors, like Music Direct, and Soundstage Direct  

Thanks, SJ    


wolf_garcia
6,695 posts
 
I have a friend who loves his "U -Turn" although I haven't heard one myself. They're inexpensive and they're made in my current home state of MA (!). If they made them in China they would be free.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
sunnyjim sez:
I am not sure I want to go the modded TT route. It will or could be expensive, and do I really want a table that has dance club speed and pitch controller.

Technics should build the same table without the speed and pitch control, and put the dollars into a better tonearm or drive motor.. The TT would be less expensive, and could still compete with tables in its price range, it not higher. Thanks again
I’m really getting tired of this myth. The Technics SL12x0 series WAS NOT designed as a dance club turntable. It was designed as a high end broadcast and home machine, and later *adopted* by the dance club set for its drive, ruggedness, and yes, speed and pitch matching.

But there are home use applications for the speed control too. Not every album was cut at an exact 33-1/3 rpm. A famous example is side one of Miles Davis’ "Kind of Blue."

In the Comments section of Michael Fremer’s review of the new Technics SL1200 GAE, when a detractor stated that the speed adjustments "were for DJs and scratchers," Fremer answered:
Or...

for correcting speed on 1) an original copy of "Kind of Blue" and "Beggar’s Banquet" to name two incorrectly mastered albums!
It’s also handy for musicians who want to play along with records, and either have to pitch-match to the instrument or the other way around. If your piano is out of tune, you’re better off adjusting the speed/pitch control.

sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
To Johnnyb53,   I am sure every point you make is true. However, I am not going to play along with the band.  

Why not the Pioneer PLX 1000? which retails for $679.00.  It looks solid and well made, and got the blessings of that blowhard Herb Reichert who reviews for Stereophile  It is also less expensive than Technics  SL1200 GAE  also reviewed in Stereophile.  Thanks for the comments. SJ 
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
I have a friend who loves his "U -Turn" although I haven’t heard one myself. They’re inexpensive and they’re made in my current home state of MA (!). If they made them in China they would be free. LOL- That really is funny.
I make it a point never to bring any negativity to these forums, but I have to agree with SJ about Reichert’s reviews. Everything is so hypnotically mesmerizing in a Lava Lamp sort of way. I just have to STOP reading them. Happy New Year!
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