Best budget turntable?

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.

Pioneer PLX1000 good all around choice. Goes well with my Audio Technica MM 440sx. Alot of sound and well-built for the dollar. Regas sound good but a bit diffy and run a bit fast and you need a good solid base for them. Project over Rega in that price range. So many out there to choose. Good luck.

I'm gonna throw this in the mix.

Mofi StudioDeck Foundation.

I think you need to add a cart though but I think is a good TT.

I had a  mofi stuio

and PLX1000 at the same time .

Now i have only the PLX 1000 .