best turntable under $5k

Clio09 makes a good point about the budget covering arm and cart too. I would still advocate the Galibier at $4500 because that will last a lifetime.

A good table will give rock solid speed stability which is fundamental to hearing timing, timbre and nuance. My first hearing of the Galibier was with a very modestly priced Denon DL103R mounted on a classic Micro Seiki arm and it blew me away.

Therefore, to keep close to your budget Pedrillo I would suggest that you buy a DL103 (the R if you can run to it) and look out for a used modified (Origin Live, Michell, Expressimo, etc.) Rega arm (which matches the Denon very well). Then over time you can upgrade the arm and cart.

For fun, I bought a used Mayware Formula 4 for $90 and can't believe how well it works with a modest Grado mm cart. It's not state of the art but when carefully set up is very relaxing and enjoyable listening.

the micro seiki (vacuum model) in its original box with the ikeda it245 with a nice cartridge for 4000 looks damned good..

My vote is for the VPI Aries Black Knight with arm (2800). Add in a used Acoustic Research PH-3 phono stage (800). We have 3600. Use the rest on the best ZYX cart Merhan can sell you (www.sorasound.com).

Marty Nickison

WHY OH WHY is vpi mentioned only once???? I thought it is a good turntable.

VPI's ARE good turntables. But they are distributed by less efficient (ie, more costly) means than some other brands.

VPI (the manufacturer) sells your turntable to a dealer, who marks it up before selling it to you. Galibier or Teres (also the manufacturer) sell your turntable directly to you. No middleman so no additional markup. You are effectively buying at wholesale.

Wholesale costs are typically about 40% below retail, so a VPI table that retails for $5K probably costs the dealer about $3K.

Conclusion: if you want the economic equivalent of a $5K VPI, buy a $3K Teres (or Galibier, if they made one at that price point.)