Best budget turntable?

Have a look at the line of Fluance tables. Lots of great reviews online

https://www.fluance.com/turntables

cheers

Take a look at the Music Hall, the MMF3.3 is in your budget

Here are the specs

• Gorgeous high-gloss piano black lacquer or exquisite walnut veneer finish
• Music Hall’s unique dual-plinth design – isolating the electronics and motor from the main bearing and tonearm
• 33⅓, 45, or 78 rpm speeds at the touch of a button
• Electronic speed controlled DC motor for superior speed stability, isolated on lower plinth
• Custom carbon fiber tonearm with alloy headshell for superb tracking ability
• Flexible internal tonearm wire drawn from high purity copper
• Counterweight’s center of gravity is level with the stylus tip is decoupled from the arm and acts as a resonance damper
• Tonearm features user adjustable VTA and azimuth
• Highly regarded Ortofon 2M Red cartridge with replaceable elliptical stylus ($100 value)
• The cartridge supplied is properly aligned and mounted
• High precision stainless steel and bronze main bearing assembly for quiet fluid operation
• Special vibration damping adjustable feet
• High quality gold RCA connectors with detachable phono cable
• Full-size alloy platter and felt mat
• Dust cover and 45 rpm adaptor included

Regards - Steve

Value for money Rega's never disappoint if buying new.

Would try against the Technics though as I am not so sure new budget turntables would necessarily be that much better and always found the Grado Black to be very good value for money.

Might get more bang for buck looking at secondhand market for a better amp or speakers or even both.

No Brainer....I have a mid fi system and Love my U-TURN turntable with the ORTOFON BLUE cart. $500 and absolute sweetness come thru my Klipsch....JBL and Tekton speakers. Very Life- Like!  Do not get the RED cart....go with the BLUE....Much smoother.

Look for a clean one owner Rega P3. Be sure it has the original box for safe shipping and resale value later on if you decide to move up the line.

The Rega has a great aftermarket upgrade path that will definitely improve the sound with each step of the way.

Here`s a couple ideas in the upgrade department:

Groovetracer Subplatter..the difference is so very clear right out of the box !

Rega NEO power supply...surprising what it does.

The list can go on and on as budget allows.

Buy everything 'right' ( meaning used if you can wait) and make sure to keep all the factory boxes, that way you could even sell off each item if you wanted and not lose much at all or  you could even make a couple dollars in the end and have fun along the way.