You can buy the same motor (the one that mmf7 & mmf9 uses) for around $140 or less. Platter costs around $80. Belt sells for around $20-$30. And these are all MSRP. - if you shop around, you could get all that you need for around $200. Add plinth material ($50-$150). If you are handy and have basic tools - labor $0. If not - about $200 for a shop/time & help of the pro. Total - well....like you said, it depends on your design and budget. But it can be build for around $300-$400. All you have to do is add arm and cart of your choice.(for $600-$700 you can pick a really nice combo. Buy arm used or demo. Cart - new or demo from dealer)
TT parts are easy to get. Google - turntable parts, motor, platter etc. I think "needledoctor.com" have some parts but at full price.
Materials for plinth that worked for me in the past were:
MDF, Plywood- sandwiched layers and "Bamboo butcher-block".
My other table (X) is a lot more expencive and on par performance wise with TT costing X2 or X3 its price. Its construction is a lot more complicated and parts are of much better quality. Labor time is about 60h. Where "Bamboo plinth took about 12h and cost less to finish (sand, prime, seal, paint).
For me it is a hobby and hands-on education.
That is why I will never buy a ready TT for big chunk of $$$$, if I can build it myself and have a huge satisfaction by doing it.
TT parts are easy to get. Google - turntable parts, motor, platter etc. I think "needledoctor.com" have some parts but at full price.
Materials for plinth that worked for me in the past were:
MDF, Plywood- sandwiched layers and "Bamboo butcher-block".
My other table (X) is a lot more expencive and on par performance wise with TT costing X2 or X3 its price. Its construction is a lot more complicated and parts are of much better quality. Labor time is about 60h. Where "Bamboo plinth took about 12h and cost less to finish (sand, prime, seal, paint).
For me it is a hobby and hands-on education.
That is why I will never buy a ready TT for big chunk of $$$$, if I can build it myself and have a huge satisfaction by doing it.