Not much talk about Yamaha turntables.


I've been wanting to jump into the analog world for years, but for a lack of experience and/or knowledge about the equipment, I haven't. There's plenty of talk here about the big names in analog and I was surprised the other day browsing around somewhere that Yamaha has turntables.  Are these any good?  What do they compare to in terms of other more well-known analog names?  I'm not asking about their $8,000 models.  I will never be able to afford that.  I'm asking more about their sub $1k models.  

Thanks!
shtinkydog
Buy Technics SL1200GR for $1700 NEW (or find lightly used for less), do not expect anything else under $1000 will be even close to Matsushita (Made in Japan). This is the best NEW direct drive at this price available today, tonearm is nice too. 
Chakster, according to Music Direct, the Pioneer above is a descendent of the Technics, and even betters it at only $700.
  Any thoughts?
By "descendant", they mean a copy! It's built to a price. It's very good for the money but it's no 1200.
Put a Nagaoka MP110 on it and you'll be a lot better off than on many other cheap belt drives. If it was my money, I'd save for the 1200GR. 
@yogiboy, Thanks for recommendation and link for Grado cart. I just ordered one and headshell for it.  Easy as pie!