I too own a VPI Scout and find that it is excellent. I also own a MMF-5 which was a very inexpensive table with a decent Goldring cart. The price has gone bezerk and I cant say it's worth the money compared to a NEW Scout.
The Scout is in another league and probably twice the price used ---
But There is a well known mail order Audio Equipment internet (Dot Com) based retailer, Music Direct. They are having an authorized VPI "B" stock sale. The prices quoted on todays newsletter will easily fit within your budget. They say there are very, very, small blems on the plinth or arm. If you can live with that, get the package deal. I bought mine set up that way with the JMW-9 arm and a Dynevector 20X H High output MC cartridge.
They discontinued the high output dynevector 20X but may have gone with the newer "medium" output 20X or a different cartridge altogether. At the time it cost $600 alone for that cartridge if you bought it separately.
The pre installed cartridge package wasn't listed but tells you to call. If that brings it over 1,500 a bit I would do it anyway it's so called "satisfaction garanteed". That is for a truly audiophile level turntable albeit entry level. They are selling new TTs, not refurbed, or misused by someone, who bought it from another someone etc.
You should be aware that you will need a good phono stage to match, if you don't have a phono input on your preamp or integrated. It is an extremely important bit of gear.
That is another matter altogether.
Good luck.
I wish I was associated with the retailer named but have no connection to them whatsoever.
The Scout is in another league and probably twice the price used ---
But There is a well known mail order Audio Equipment internet (Dot Com) based retailer, Music Direct. They are having an authorized VPI "B" stock sale. The prices quoted on todays newsletter will easily fit within your budget. They say there are very, very, small blems on the plinth or arm. If you can live with that, get the package deal. I bought mine set up that way with the JMW-9 arm and a Dynevector 20X H High output MC cartridge.
They discontinued the high output dynevector 20X but may have gone with the newer "medium" output 20X or a different cartridge altogether. At the time it cost $600 alone for that cartridge if you bought it separately.
The pre installed cartridge package wasn't listed but tells you to call. If that brings it over 1,500 a bit I would do it anyway it's so called "satisfaction garanteed". That is for a truly audiophile level turntable albeit entry level. They are selling new TTs, not refurbed, or misused by someone, who bought it from another someone etc.
You should be aware that you will need a good phono stage to match, if you don't have a phono input on your preamp or integrated. It is an extremely important bit of gear.
That is another matter altogether.
Good luck.
I wish I was associated with the retailer named but have no connection to them whatsoever.
