A tale of two turntables

You will get tired of the Pro-ject Carbon Debut before you know it.  The Ortofon Blue cartridge is the best part of that deal.  No experience with the Rega.  

Personally, I would go with the Technics SL 1210GR or if I staying to a budget, the Technics SL-1500C.  

I own both TTs.  Both are well built and great sounding.  I use the Ortofon Blue on the SL-1500C and the Hana on the 1210GR.

I am a fan of direct drive and I can easily swap out cartridges, which you can not do with the Pro-ject.

I went from vintage Denon to the Pro-jects.  The Technics will keep you satisfied.

Best regards,

Rich 

I really like the Rega arm. It is almost everything a good arm should be and you can adjust it for any cartridge. If I might make a suggestion. Two amazing cartridges for the money are the Audio Technica VM750SH and the Goldring 1042. They are excellent moving magnet cartridges that punch way above their price point. You really have to spend more than $2000 to get a moving coil cartridge that sounds better. 

Why would he get tired of the pro-ject? I don’t get it...I’ve owned the classic sb for going on 3 years and I’ve yet to tire of it. Running the Hana el. Great sounding/looking table. It looks a lot better than the technics, and has better isolation. If I was to somehow get tired of it, I own 6 turntables, so I’d swap another in. That’s the beauty of not putting all eggs in one basket, variety! In my current stable are Thorens (2), lenco, music hall, and pro-ject (2). Also 10 different cartridges 🤪

@audioguy85, there is nothing wrong with the Pro-Jects at their price points until you get to the more expensive ones. Once you get to $3500 there is no excuse for a turntable not being appropriately suspended and isolated as there are turntables in that price range that are. I am not a big Hana fan. I think at their price points you can get better performance out of a moving magnet cartridge.

Thanks for the great feedback. Sounds like either would be an improvement but the Rega May me keep satisfied longer. Never tried MC But I do have a nice phono preamp that would work. And I will check out the guillotine effect to see how much that bothers me. I always take my cover off for listening as well. I don’t have Technics TTs available in my area or price range right now but I have only heard good things about them. Onward to the upgrade!