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

 I would go with Project all day long over Rega. In fact Rega would be last on my list with the exception of some vintage tables that some on this forum seem to hold in high regard. I havent looked at Music Hall for some time, but I used to think they were a very good value. A used Nottingham Space Deck? 

@jim5559 

I have a Rega 6 and  a MoFi best  and a Pioneer 1000

Do you have the new/current Pioneer PLX 1000? I have the same, with an Audio Technica AT-VM740ML cartridge. It replaced a Pro-Ject Carbon DC Esprit SB w/Ortofon 2M Blue. I prefer the Pioneer.

Yes and 10 carts to play with them, right now using a Denon 110 a very good for 300$

The Grado gold 3 is sweet on it with Classical music , the 3’s are better with all .

Nag 200 is good as need be with anything .

To my ears all AT’s are rock only . Just my ears and I hate rock.

I use my Rega 6 mostly with opera  where it shines .  Sorry I ever wasted 2k on MoFi . Just my ears.

Why not buy him the Technics MK7 for $999? It’s cheaper that the 1500 and looks better, at least to me. I think it silly that they got rid of the strobe platter on that 1500 model. Put a Shure M97xe on the MK7 and away you go. Although, now you will pay a pretty penny for that Shure...as they no longer make it. New on Lp Gear for $350 I believe. I love my Mk7 along with the Shure..... I’m not certain I would pay the extra 600-700 for a Gr just to gain maybe 2 kilograms In weight. It has the same exact tonearm as the Mk7, and its pitch contol is not as good as the Mk7’s...if that is important. The Gr does have a slightly heavier platter and maybe the base contains less plastics....that is the only advantage, not worth 700 bucks more to me. The MK7 gets a bad rap because it is geared or advertised to the DJ crowd. Funny, because when you think about that, the original technics 1200 variants were never designed to be dj turntables, but they were adopted by the dj crowd and used as such.

Just to add, you can buy a glass platter/thin rubber technics mat combo from KabUSA to increase the dampening and weight of the MK7 platter.

OP,

I agree with @pesky_wabbit . I recommend going to The AbsoluteSound, the March issue has the Recommended Components. Stereophile also has a similar issue. These are professional reviews by people that have experience with a large selection of the components. They show the systems in which they tested them and try to explain their biases. Additionally they know and use audiophile terminology,

This is always a great place to start. I have read these periodicals for 40 years and heard probably a hundred components and by in large they are right on point.