Newbie Help

Consider the following.

KAB modified Technics SL-1200MkII or SL-1210MkII with a Cardas rewired tonearm and the KAB fluid damper. $770.00
Be patent with KAB as it may take a few weeks for them to rewire test and ship out said unit but it is worth the wait.

Denon DL-160 H.O. moving coil cartridge $180.00

Cambridge Audio 640P phono preamp $250.00

VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine: $640.00

Total: $1840.00..

IMO this would be a killer vinyl setup complete with all you need to get going on quality vinyl playback all for well under $2000.00

If you want to go another way, look on eBay for the higher end late 70's early 80's JAPAN INC. turntables. Japanese makers made some very nice units and ones which can give many a newer often high praised tables today a kick ass run for the money.

Hope that helps.

I am leaning towards the Scout, any suggestions where I can get a really good deal.

The scout is a nice table. A friend of mine has one and it really sings. I personally really enjoy the emotion i own, and am happy that i saved ~800$ to buy more vinyl :)

Since you're considering the Clearaudio Emotion, what about the Clearaudio-sourced Marantz, which comes with a very nice Clearaudio cartridge?

If you were to go the Technics route (but I'm not holding my breath) and your $1800 seems to be just for 'table, arm, and cart, I'd go with the SL1200 + KAB outboard PSU, threaded clamp, tonearm rewire, fluid damper, and Isonoe feet. Mount Sumiko headshell and Sumiko BPS EVO III cartridge. Total price = $1659. The Technics DD tables achieve a speed accuracy and s/n ratio you don't see on belt drive turntables until you get into some serious money. The fluid damper, rewire, and Isonoe feet take care of the Technics' weaknesses in vibration isolation and wire quality.

If you can't abide the thought of an S-shaped arm with detachable headshell, get an SL1210 Mk2 from Musicians Friend for $400 and add the Origin Live armboard for about $100 and fully modded OL-1 tonearm for $800 for a total of $1300, which leaves you $500 for a cartridge--perhaps a Sumiko BPS EVO III or Ortofon 2M Black.