Pioneer Direct Drives - Now and then?

I’m blown away at your post Eric. You have been a member since 2005, 9000 posts,

Those are kind of weird statistics to associate with turntable ownership. Since you’ve only been here since 2018 and have under 200 posts, should I assume you only listen to music on your phone?

and you sound like this will be your first turntable.

Second actually. My first was a DD Technics with a p-mount system. Since then I’ve gone completely digital. I buy direct, use Tidal or listen to Internet radio, but I can't remember the last time I actually spun a CD.

I’d like to take this time from explaining myself to weird suppositions guy by plugging the ladies who run http://jazzcast.ca/ as running a great modern Jazz station.

You want to spend $1000 but you claim you will buy as little as 5 albums. You also want to set it and forget it. Unlikely. Why bother?

Buddy, no one is born with a large LP collection, and few can afford to start a hobby with a fully maximized set of tools and equipment. Tone it down a bit?

Best,

E

Dear @erik_squires  : I owned this TT and is really good ( my brother still have it and working great. ) and comes with a very good cartridge, I could say a famous vintage cartridge:

https://www.ebay.es/itm/143636018083


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

In case it wasn't clear, I don't know how many LPs I'll end up buying, but buying inexpensively to learn whether I like this part of the audiophile hobby for myself or not is a good idea. 

"Buy a decent rig that won't hurt the albums and see what happens" is a good pattern.

The end of the P-mount, and the convenience of CD's, improvement in DAC's and availability of streaming services + internet radio have all contributed to me not turning to LPs.  That plus my apartment lifestyle.

Even this modest expense would have to be put on hold.

@erik_squires

Also agree with Chakster about the PL-70LII, which I have the pleasure of owning. It’s an excellent table, but what most sets it apart from similar ’80s DD tables is the superb 12" tonearm. This is very closely related to the one used in the Exclusive P3 and P10, except is has static balance instead of dynamic balance. Some would even argue this is preferable.

While the 70LII will exceed your budget, the smaller PL-50LII and PL-30LII probably won’t. They also feature a coreless motor and basically the same tonearm in 10" length, which comes with S-type and straight armpipes and several counter weights. So you can accommodate just about any cartridge and sonically it won’t be embarrased by even the most exotic MC cartridges.

It would be a great way to get started on vinyl (again). You won’t stop at 5 records.....

PS - If you have a 2nd turntable you haven't used in years and want to donate it to a good cause, I'm a very good cause. ;-)