New TT for ~$1500

If you can repair the tonearm rubber gasket (easy with basic handy skills), this is a darn good start to a dual arm direct drive in a wonderful wood plinth (CL-P2) with a special tonearm, effective length 282mm (11-1/8")

It's big, make sure you can fit it. 564mm wide x 506mm deep (22-3/16" x 20")

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VICTOR-CL-P2-TT-81-UA-7082-Analog-Player-Set-AC100V-Working-Properly-F-S-d60/254585467881?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200520130048%26meid%3D1efa8200025841aa99eb369313af7d0c%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dsb%26sd%3D174154854899%26itm%3D254585467881%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithBBEV2bDemotion%26brand%3DVICTOR&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

I bought one like this, didn’t know much, was warned here about the arm, got anxious, cancelled the sale. Found another one in Canada, seller repaired sagging counterweight, it came plinth and dust cover busted, returned, found another in Canada (no JVC arm), it came, I added my two arms.

While I had the busted one, I took the JVC arm apart. Now I know how easy it is to fix that arm, Well worth fixing as it is JVC-Victor’s Long 7082 arm, with VTA On the Fly height adjustment.

Simply take rear counterweight portion of arm apart, replace gasket with rubber washer from Home Depot, back together, done.

You could point out the counterweight sag to this seller, offer around $900., see what happens. add another arm in the back for ... (mine is mono cartridge ready to go), bingo all set.

this Sony is an inexpensive start, $220. delivered, or make lower offer.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/362991960379?ul_noapp=true

info at vinylengine.com

not wood, not plastic, 

Hey all, OP here. I appreciate all of your responses and youve given me a lot to think about. I was initially set on a 1210GR after your responses here and elsewhere. With a Hana SL that is closer to an endgame system for me. Unfortunately, price is still too high.
However, I have a Concept in my sights with a dealer-installed Artist V2 cartridge for $1300. Seems like a great deal, low hours. Talk me out of it?
@panzrwagn that IS a good deal on the pro-ject--any other thoughts on this combo?

I've never seen a Clearaudio Concept, had a peek.

The anti-skating adjustment located on the underside of the deck and the specific data sheet about adjusting it seem poor at best, 

I would want to know more about that, it's critical to success.

@tas234

Hey all, OP here. I appreciate all of your responses and youve given me a lot to think about. I was initially set on a 1210GR after your responses here and elsewhere. With a Hana SL that is closer to an endgame system for me. Unfortunately, price is still too high.

If the price is too high simply buy used GR and don’t buy Hana SL, instead of this MC you can find a better deal on MM or MI cartridges.

When you buy used GR you can save some $$$ (no risk).
And if you want to go cheper with great Technics then simply buy MK7 for $899