Pioneer Direct Drives - Now and then?

I think the Pioneer PLX-1000 is a terrific player, way better than my vintage Yamaha direct drive...

I think Yamaha GT-2000L is great, can be $3k but black version is 50% cheaper.
I believe you’re referring not to GT2000 model ? @jl35

When I began my journey back into vinyl after a long hiatus, I bought a Music Hall 5.1, which is a belt drive and came pretty well set up and with a good Goldring MM cartridge mounted. I thought it represented a good taste of what analog was about and after I was convinced I wanted to continue, I sold it for a few hundred less than I paid and bought something much more expensive. IMO, it’s a good way to dip your toe in the water, although if I were doing it today, I would probably be tempted to go for the Pioneer 1000. I just think you need to remember that this is an experiment to see how vinyl goes and everything at this pricepoint (and at almost all pricepoints) are going to have compromises. But once you get used to playing vinyl, you’ll be in a better position to purchase something better. Ironically, the advent of internet sales in some ways made things more difficult by giving us such a huge range of choices.  In the old days, you walked into Crazy Eddie or Stereo Warehouse and picked one of the 10 turntables they had there.  Or if you made it to a high end dealer, they had maybe Technics, Linn and Thorens and you picked one.  Now, my god, there are hundreds at your fingertips.  Have fun. 

I got into vinyl about  5 years ago.  I actually had records before I had a turntable.

Walked into an flea-market / re-sale type of store in my city one Saturday morning, asked the girl working the counter if she had any turntables.  At first she said no, but then said "oh hold on, I think I have one in the back".

She walked out from the back carrying a Pioneer PL-550 turntable in excellent condition, with the original owners manual. I had already been looking around online for a decent turntable, so I knew I was looking at something that was pretty damn nice and desirable.

Asked her what she wanted for it, she replied "how about $60?". 

I'll take it!

It had an Acutex cartridge on it. I bought a new needle for that cartridge, checked the alignment and settings, and have been listening to it for the past 5 years without issue. 

I plan on getting a new cartridge for it in the near future. 

Great turntable.

There's a Kenwood KD550 listed here on Agon. $799 in Washington State. I'd buy this myself but already have too many TTs - including a Kenwood KD650! Great DD TTs worth owning and using!