Buying a new TT today

Chakster is a tremendous hobbyist/tinkerer/researcher/turntable historian and quite knowledgeable about DD tables.

As I've stated before, it is not about the technology, but the execution of the specific model. Whatever table you have, there is ALWAYS something better sounding.

I believe in KISS - one table, one arm, one cartridge, one phono stage and spend time enjoying the music and the records and appreciating the quality of the sound from the music I like.

@big_greg
Here is a interview with KI where he talks about designing the TT-15s1

http://www.newaudio.it/marantz/TT15S/TT15%20Gramophone%20April%2005.pdf

BD vs DD
So I’m new in the TT game and it’s been wonderfully fun but I’m not new to the HiFi game...
So my take on it is this. It’s been a interesting debate about BD vs DD but the point one is clearly superior and can be backed up through specs is something of a half truth.
There have been so many amps, pre’s, cd Units and d/a converters that either spec out much better than others or are built in supposedly superior way and yet they don’t sound as good as the supposed inferior unit?
What that says is that not only is the ear of the beholder but also the way a manufacturer can manipulate what they have into their house sound. Some manufacturers are very good at this and some are great at it! They have the ability to get more sound out of what they have to work with.
Anyway I’m sure the Technics are great but I’m sure there are BD’s in their price range that some listeners would prefer the sound of...
jmo

Thanks for posting that article.

Anyway I’m sure the Technics are great but I’m sure there are BD’s in their price range that some listeners would prefer the sound of...

You could say that when you will be able to compare them side by side with the same cartridge in the same system.

No, you will not find equal sounding BD at the same price range that new Technics GR for example ($1700, Technics keeping the price very low), or equal to any of the vintage turntables i have mentioned in the earlier posts, simply because we’re living in the digital era and comparing almost any new BD turntable to the Japanese DD from the golden age (used) is strange. Prices for new BD always higher but the build quality is not higher (this is marketing) and tonearms on them always inferior in comparison to the best Japanese DD from the 80’s. Specific models like SP-10mkII, DP-80 are cheaper and better turntables. Same about Japanese vintage tonearms (always cheaper and better). I rate some vintage DD higher than new Technics.

Also you can’t change tonearm on most of those Belt Drive turntables, manufacturer want you to stay with their arm (which is often not adjustable for some other better cartridges). This is definitely Rega strategy. 

Why do the Technic TT’s primarily target the Dj crowd and other professionals? I even saw one ad targeted to the audiophile consumer but the marketing slogan said something like "spin records like your favorite Dj ". Odd.  That kinda turned me off when I was looking.