Turntable Suggestions

My budget is not tight at $2,000.
I felt this was around what I wanted to spend as well as
being a good balance with the level of the rest of my system.Like I said, I'm really not sure how good my YBA
phono is and I have little idea of where the cost/performance ratio lies with turntables.
Thanks,
Attila

mm7 or mm9 music hall.....otherwise look for a classic used model.

I just purchased, new, a Rega P5, Exact2 cartridge and TTPSU (external power supply) for $1650. This combo was Stereophiles analogue product of the year in 2005. I am very pleased with this set up. Can't argue with VPI, very nice table.

I would vote for the Scout too. I have never been very enthusiastic about the VPI tables - mostly to polite and laid back for my taste. However the Scout is the one table in the lineup I actually like (and I was skeptical there too). Please don't get any of the upgrades, just take the standard Scout with JMW9 arm. I have heard it with some upgrades (even the Scoutmaster etc.). IMO these kill the sound of an excellent table. Even the SDS did not improve things (sounded much more lifeless in my system).

I owned several table by now: Linn Basik, Rega P3, Michell Tecnodec, Thorens TD150, Thorens TD166. The Scout is a much more solid table, it handles great and sounds the best too.

Finally, despite claims that the Denon line does not match to the JMW arms due to their low compliance, I did not find any problems, in fact even measuring the resonance, it was in the right ballpark. I can highly recommend the Denon DL103R and DL160 for the Scout.

Good luck!

I'll have a Nottingham Spacedeck available in a month or so
doing a major upgrade

Tom