turntable choice

Research more research with plenty of patience especially if buying used
gear.

Vintage prices for TT's are not what they used to be with allot of gear being bought up and shipped overseas, the demand is exceeding the supply but keep looking you might get lucky.

https://www.hifido.co.jp/?G=0301(the English translation is in upper right corner), Audiogon, and ebay are excellent options for online searching for a vintage TT.  If you have quality audio repair shop within driving distance this would be a positive if you go this route.


I would take a vintage Stanton 681 cartridge any day over any cartridge mentioned thus far.

A Spin Clean Record Washer MKII would be a excellent choice for bringing your original issue records back to life.

Well good luck to you and keep us posted...

The MMF 2.3le is comparable to the Debut Carbon.  The tonearm on the MMF 2.3le has VTA adjustment which the Debut Carbon does not.  While the adjustment is a bit rudimentary, it allows for more options if you change your mat or cartridge.  I have never used their Spirit cartridge, but I can’t imagine it isn’t on par or better than the 2M Red.  The suggestion of a record cleaner is a good one.  I did not suggest it earlier because I didn’t want to take you too far into the weeds.  Hopefully your vinyl collection has been well cared for and is not too dirty.  On another note, the interconnects that come with Pro-Ject and Music Hall turntables are OK at best, even the ones they supply with their high end tables.  Blue Jeans Cables make great cables for the money.  They have different quality levels and will build to order.  Beyond what they make, to get a noticeable quality increase, the price goes north quickly.  While this buying process may seem a little overwhelming at times with all of the options etc., remember to have fun with it.  This is buying hifi, not getting a tattoo.   There is no reason you can’t change your mind to other products in the future.  Keep it spinning! 

Go used and buy the newest/best you can afford that say Synergistic Research on them. Unlike most others that work like band-aids or tone controls the wire from Synergistic Research actually delivers improvement in every area across the board evenly and without regard to associated equipment. They've been so far ahead of the rest for so long now that even some of their stuff from 15 or more years ago is still awesome only now its actually affordable.

Thank you tborg and Miller carbon. Yes my collection is very well kept. I even have some unopened classical and opera; I was working at j and r in ny when CDs came around so there were tons of cut out LP’s.