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Best budget turntable?

Looking to buy my son a new turntable.  He has an entry level audiophile system, consisting of an NAD 316 integrated amp with PSB 2 way stand mount speakers. His current TT is an old Technics DD with P-mount Grado Black cartridge.

I'm looking to spend about $1000 - $1200 ish, any more and next thing I know his whole system will need an upgrade.

Options I've considered: Technics 1500C or  Pioneer PLX 1000 with a decent MM cartridge for DD options; and a Rega P3 for a belt "audiophile" option.  A Clearaudio Concept (base model) at $1800 is just beyond where I'm looking.

Honestly, it kinda bugs me that the Rega weighs 12 pounds while the other less prestigious DD models weigh 21 and 30 lbs, respectively (Concept weighs 17).  I've never been convinced of Rega's light weight philosophy, I guess.

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks!

bobbydd
knotscott
928 posts
 

IMHO, the cartridge is where the most significant differences in sound come from. With your budget I’d be looking at something at the level of the PLX-1000 with a Nagaoka MP500. You can always optimize that with an isolation platform, and possibly a better phono stage at some point in the future.

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,791 posts
 

Although, he might prefer the Technics 1200GR as a big upgrade over his old one. Go fo it if you can put it on a card. Might as well spend now with not knowing if we're going to live.

jerryg123's avatar
jerryg123
3,429 posts
 

@knotscott I would agree and I have the MP500 on one of my tables and the MP200 on the other. The MP200 would be a massive upgrade over the Grado.

Nagaoka MP500 is a wonderful cartridge as is the MP200 and I think would be better suited with his NAD Integrated.

Just another opinion.

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,613 posts
 

Just mount that VM750SH and you''ll be close enuff.

mr_m
1,900 posts
 

ProJect Debut Pro. Lots of good features, solid, and includes a cartridge. All for $1000.

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