So many great golden era DD tables out there, what do you recommend for $1000?

Vintage DD for $1000 with plinth and tonearm? I think it’s pretty tough, but much more realistic without plinth and tonearm if you want something special.

Technics SP-20 from the mid 70’s was a budget version of SP-10mkII, exactly the same size and shape, but without external power supply. Simplified DD motor. But look at the finishing, simply amazing. I like this black finishing. This is a rare model. My previous two samples now in use in the hood and friends are happy. Custom plinth and some nice vintage arm will make this model so cool and still not expensive.

And if you want all in one under $1k then only SL-10 comes to my mind. The SL-15 most likely will be over $1k. I’m pretty sure refurbished samples must be great, there is a phonostage inside.

I can’t ignore a budget version of PD-444 made by Luxman, this PD-441 is much smaller, but it has the same decent DD motor! I’m a fan of big and heavy (metal) PD-444 (not 441), but 441 is much cheaper and you can find it without arm under $1k

@lewm

Lewn you can disagree no problem, if you are more up to date with fresh news this is good and useful.
MN6042 .... mmmm .... I have to understand which is in the logic board and understand what function it has .... you say that inside the SL 1200 you find this chip? Good to know I will do an investigation and if it is true I’ll take that piece for spare parts

IMO the best buy for a DD turntable under $1,000 is a Luxman PD-121 or PD-131.  Pair that w/ a Micro Seiki MA-505 MkII tonearm and you are in the game.

Honorable mention goes to the Teac TN-400, a great little deck that requires a plinth and tonearm.  They are reasonably priced and feature a very quiet drive.

The SP10 Mk2 is a great deck, but for $1,000 these days you are probably going to find a unit that has had hard use at a radio station or needs repair.  They are also big, when you consider the external PS and the need for a plinth of some kind.

There are lots of other great DD decks out there.

Dear @uberwaltz :

https://www.ebay.com/itm/DENON-DP-60L-Direct-Drive-TURNTABLE-WORKING/153428377243?_trkparms=aid%3D333200%26algo%3DCOMP.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D59957%26meid%3D96c1c6ffbcb8455088b1cd60d6bdb8bc%26pid%3D100008%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D383129488065%26itm%3D153428377243%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100008.m2219


https://www.vinylengine.com/library/denon/dp-60l.shtml


file:///C:/Users/Sylvia/Downloads/ve_denon_dp-60l_brochure_en_imp_scan.pdf

R.

The Technics SL-1700mk2 (semi-auto, quartz locked) fits the bill very nicely for me. You can get a restored unit without cartridge in your budget range. Spend another $300 on an Audio-Technica VM540ML with microline contact stylus, and you’ve got something that’s hard to beat. I’ve got one such turntable, as well as another that’s in the restoration process, which will be equipped with a mono cartridge and VM540ML stylus. Parts are somewhat more available because these turntables were the basis for the SL-1200mk2, but the SL-1700mk2 is the audiophile choice, while the SL-1200mk2 is the DeeJay and rap-“DJ” choice. You can also go SL-1800mk2 if you prefer fully manual or SL-1600mk2 if you want fully automatic.