For around $1,000 right now, The Pro-Ject Classic SB with Wooden Chassis and Ortofon Quintet Red MC Cartridge package from Audio Advisor that includes Pro-Ject’s Push-Button Electronic Speed Control, the Clamp-It $99 Record Clamp, and the Leather-It $59 Upgrade Turntable Mat has got to be the deal of the week. A Rega P3 is always a good choice, but Adding $345 to the base P3, and the other goodies, and you are way over the $1199 ask for the Project. If you want to economize even more, the standard Pro-Ject Classic Turntable with an Ortofon 2M Silver Cartridge (I think it's a 2M Red wound with fewer turns of silver-plated wire, instead of copper) for $899 is likewise a great value.
For those who think I'm a shill for Pro-ject, AA also has Rega P8s for $1999 plus cart. That is a jawdropping price on a spectacular table. I'd also look at the EAT B# Turntable with the Ortofon 2M Blue package, and the Marantz TT 15S1 Turntable with ClearAudio Virtuoso MM Cartridge ( It's actually a ClearAudio table in Marantz cosmetics)
For those who think I'm a shill for Pro-ject, AA also has Rega P8s for $1999 plus cart. That is a jawdropping price on a spectacular table. I'd also look at the EAT B# Turntable with the Ortofon 2M Blue package, and the Marantz TT 15S1 Turntable with ClearAudio Virtuoso MM Cartridge ( It's actually a ClearAudio table in Marantz cosmetics)