Turntable selection advise

I checked the tables for sale and VPI Scouts are available at around $1100,A VPI Jr with cartridge for $800, a Rega P25 for $795. These are all very good. If these are too high there are older Thorens at lower prices and Rega has a table for about $400 that will outperform the tables you mentioned.

If you're not looking for the ultimate hi-fi experience the Technics 1200 (or 1210) would be excellent choices. They're really easy to use, dead stable and very reliable. There are also a lot of mods available from KAB if you ever do want to upgrade. They are also an excellent value.

A lot of audiophiles look down their noses at the Tech-12s because they're not hi-fi enough. I wouldn't let that kind of snobery put you off these machines if you just want to play some records. They're really quite good.

I would not mess the with the AT table, but their cartridges are very good. I'm listening to one right now (AT-OC9).

If you're willing to buy a used machine there are lots of great tables out there. Personally I'm a big fan of Sota tables which can be very reasonable here on A-Gon.

all will get the job done...a vintage dual will too,,, go for it.

Doubtful you'll find a better table for the money, than a Technics 1210 MkII, or Mk5. They're loaded with good, usable features, and will surprise you, that they are a good sounding table.

One of the reasons Belt Drive became more popular, was because of its cost, being much less expensive to implement an AC Syncho Motor, rather than a sophisticated DC Servo Direct Drive Motor.

Implementation is the key, and the quality of the sum of parts. Remember, Technics use Direct Drive Motors on thier Record Cutting Lathes. Yes, it's an age old battle, but this doesn't mean one of these Technics Tables, with a very good Cartridge, and Phono Stage cannot produce very good sound.

Not sure how important this is to you, but I believe there is a 78rpm mod-kit from KAB for the Technics, as well as a large slew of other worthy upgrades from them, which will greatly improve the performance of these bulletproof Turntables. Most of the mods can be installed by an adept end user. Things like a Cardas Tonearm rewire might be best left to Kevin at KAB.

You can modify-upgrade the Technics as funds allow.

About a phono stage, I again gather you have none in your current component arsenal, and if you wish to stay with a Moving Magnet Cartridge, these don't necessarily have to be prohibitly expensive to acquire a great sounding Stage.

I think a nicely set up Technics, with a good MM Cartridge, something like the AT-150MLX, and a good Phono Section will give many years of great enjoyment. The entire package (Table-Cartridge-Stage) should be able to be purchased new, for around $1K.
Mark

Stanwal, thanks for the advise but let me explain myself. As you may know our current market is down, economy wise, gas is up, salaries are down etc. You know the endless stories out there, anyway, I got hurt at my job. Got struck by an SUV on a fire truck. I'm a Firefighter here in the City of Chicago. I don't make the best salary but I do make a decent amount for my standard of living. I also work 2 jobs, but for the past 3 months I haven't been able to work due to surgeries, physical therapy etc. So my money is very, very tight and I wont be able to go to work for another 3 or more months, sad because I need to work, make overtime and work my part time job and as well the Army Reserves.

I would LOVE to have the money to spend on better cables, interconnects power cords, better turn tables, cartridges etc but to be completely honest I just don't have the funds for at least now until things get better and I get more healthier. God willing of course. I have other reasons as well but I won't post them here on a public site.

Thanks for the advise, Robert