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Yet another turntable recommendation question

Hello all,
Longtime reader of the forums, but I rarely post. As a relative noob, I have learned much from reading your conversations, so thank you.
I am currently looking to upgrade my turntable situation from my old plastic Technics and Onkyo hand-me-downs.
Budget would be stretched at $600-ish.
Features I like...
- removable headshell, or at least a way to easily change carts and related tonearm adjustments
- speed stability!! (as a musician, pitch instability drives me absolutely insane)- some prospect of upgrading over time (tonearm, platter, sub-platter, wiring, etc.)
- belt drive- good (dare I say great?) sound quality- Auto shut off would be very nice

I don't want bells and whistles like built-in phono stage and USB nonsense. Simple is good.

I have considered buying used (Thorens, Dual) and haven't necessarily ruled it out, but I don't want a project, and I darn sure don't want to inherit someone else's problems. Warranties are kind of awesome.
The rest of my system is...
Schitt Mani, Jolida JD1501BRC, Wharfedale Diamond 10.7, Audioquest, BlueJeans, and Morrow cabling.
Mid-fi, I suppose, but I think it sounds great for the price, and I have no immediate plans to change any of that.
I listen to everything from classical to hard rock to jazz to ambient drone.
So far I have looked at Music Hall, Fluance, Denon, Rega, Pro-Ject, but all are compromised in some way.
Are there any others I should be factoring in to the equation?Or any I should steer clear of?
Thanks for any advice and cheers!

earworm22
jdesj's avatar
jdesj
24 posts
 
Denon DP-3500 direct-drive, 32 pole motor. Owned one; gorgeous. 
glupson
7,842 posts
 
Pioneer, as others mentioned, is really good for the money.

However, if by any chance you find some extra money in last year's coat pocket, Technics SL-1500 C. It checks almost all the boxes (it is direct drive, like Pioneer) including auto-lift at the end of the record. Do not worry about included preamplifier, you can switch it off.
kacomess
199 posts
 
I'll second a recommendation already posted: buy used. You may be able to get a really nice turntable that can be subsequently upgraded with a better tonearm and cartridge, if needed. VPI is a good bet, especially for older models like the HW-19 for which parts and various enhancements remain readily available.
audite84
110 posts
 
+1 for VPI HW-19. I have a MKIII which I bought used. The dealer installed a new Jelco TS-550S and Hana EL. I am very happy. With your budget, you may not be able to get a new tonearm and cartridge. My point is, look out for one which comes with an arm (and you're lucky if there's a cartridge) and in good condition. You may need to shell out a bit more than what you're planning to, but you'll have a very nice 'table. The HW-19 is simple, solid and a very accomplished performer.

If you want direct drive, I suggest you get a Technics SL-150MK2. It is just a couple steps down from the level of the SP-10, is better that the SL-1200 spec- and sound-wise, and sells less (a sleeper). It usually comes with an SME 3009 Series III (at least based on what I've seen around and mine did come with that arm and a V-15 Type IV). That arm is happy with high compliance carts like the Shure V-15 and Stanton 681.

I hope that helps. 
bikerbw
108 posts
 
Get a used Technics or Technics-like direct drive turntable from a dealer or online store you trust that offers a warranty, if you're serious about staying at $600.  The Technics have the removable SME-like head shell (if you're really going to be changing/adjusting cartridges all that frequently?), have great pitch stability and speed accuracy, are easy to match up with a suitable cartridge in your price range, have some of the bells and whistles you asked for (even though you said you didn't want any - I would forgo the auto return/auto shutoff myself), and are more sturdily built than a lot of the new paper-mache-plinth and fishing-line offerings out there.  I would also forgo the idea of upgrading a $600 (or less) turntable unless you really love tinkering, because after it all 1.) you will have spent more money than if you would've bought a more expensive table, and 2.) no one will want to buy your Frankentable for anywhere near the amount of money you've invested in it, unless you've really done some stellar upgrades.  Bottom line:  I would go with a used SL-1200mk2 with an AT/Ortofon cartridge from a dealer you trust (with a limited warranty), and go on with your life.  If you want to go crazy later on an expensive tt you can unload the Technics for what you paid for it or a little less.
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