I have been on the hunt for the best turntable I can buy. Any suggestions?

ive heard of that - is it worth checking out?

That is why I mentioned it in lieu of anything else. I didn't realize the budget issue. Given that, I suspect you'd have been better off having your old Technics serviced out. You can't buy much of a decent turntable these days for $450. The SL1200G is a $4000 machine. 

OK folks, let’s shift gears and help him get the best sound out of his TX.
we can be a welcoming community if we desire.
to the OP SoundSmith is a good source for info on checking your table, etc...
enjoy the music, the journey.
jim

When I 1st read this I was going to suggest checking with Fremer to see if his AirForce TT was sold yet. Anyone know?

"half off retail... with what you save you can send your kids to yale"

@jjss49 -- He would only be saving $120,000.  That might cover 2 years at Yale....

A pal asked me for advice because he wanted to get serious about a new turntable. 
He was willing to go "up to 5k all in."  I put together a bunch of options with links and prices. He ended up buying a used Sony on Craigslist for "a few hundred."

:))