Best sounding turntable and cartridge for $1100

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.

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 

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!

sunnyjim:

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.

That was another option I would consider. Take a $679 PLX-1000, add an Audio Technica AT150Sa for $323.69 plus this economical but very effective cherrywood headshell, plus a good phono preamp (e.g., Schiit Mani for $129) and you should have a bangin’, musically involving system.

I have the AT150Sa mounted to that very cherrywood headshell, and the results are magic. Gone is any bright glare, replaced by a seductive organic presentation. I marvel at the sound and musicality of everything I play through that setup--jazz, pop vocals, large scale orchestral, etc.

BTW, whether you use a pitch control to tune the recording to your instrument is beside the point, which is that THE SL 12X0 SERIES WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR DANCE CLUBS AND SCRATCHERS. It was designed for audiophiles to restore the intended pitch and tempo, and for pitch-matching for musicians.

As an old person, I've always been horrified by "scratchers"…LP Abuse! Tawdry! As a musician I actually get it though, and should get a grip and calm the heck down.