The Best Turntable for $1300 or less

IMNSHO a used VPI Scout/JMW9 in the $1K range is IMPOSSIBLE to beat. I've owned VERY expensive TT setups and the basic Scout compares quite well. Improvements past this point are incremental and expensive. It works quite well for me. Put it on a good isolation platform (mine is homemade) and be happy.

jmoog
the word giant killer is a strange kind of word
what giant are you trying to kill?
music genre will have more impact than any other consideration.
a turntable arm combo that is great with rock music may not fare so well with classical or vice versa
other than that a used oracle delphi mk11 [dc motor]and graham 1.5 should just fit in that budget
i really regret parting with my old oracle
all the best
terry

I second a Linn Sondek Lp12 and if you can get a Ittok LVII arm to boot, that would be the whip.

Happy Listening!

Apples and oranges as always. Listen and choose. If you like clean sound and simple looks and ergonomics, go with the Rega P5 and figure in the outboard power supply as an eventual upgrade.