For <~$500 there are not many new turntables out there. Project, Music Hall, Thorens to name three have a model or two in and around that price.
You have had a few note some more popular used models. I'd like to detail my thoughts and advice.
Since the general resurgence of vinyl, many have attempted to berate and even speak with disgust Made in Japan turntables from vinyl's more golden era (IMO say 1975-1985). Well true there were some very low end tables made by the assorted Japanese makers back in the day, most though in that 10 odd year era made numerous well designed tables. It was not really until the early 90's and on when most Japanese makers basically gave up on vinyl that crappy tables from the truly appeared.
But understand from the mid 70's to the mid 80's Japanese makers put a lot of money into R&D. Their engineers where likely music listeners and vinyl was considered the top of the food chain for consumer audio playback at that time ( Reel to Reel was above that but not really embraced as a consumer item). Today many who IMO often have little clue want to say all those Made in Japan tables of this era sucked. Well they are wrong. A lot of solid engineering ideals were made at that time. Quality engineering making of parts from motors to tonearms to cartridges to plinths were developed and exploited to give very credible sound. Again only the lowest end models at that time and even those were not bad, were models that to meet a price had to sacrifice better quality.
Heck I'm currently working on a DIY table to add to my equipment list using a mid 80's, mid price at the time Akai direct drive unit. The tone arm was obviously lower grade but the platter is pretty beefy at over 2 lbs. The direct drive motor spins smoothly and quietly. I've cut out all of the auto return parts and am going to DIY a tone arm to replace the low buck one supplied by the Akai. But, that plastic plinth, well it's not any flimsy plastic. It's reeinforced and is a more non-resonant design. I cut out the molded arm board section and it's all 1/4 inch thick of dense plastic. No not the cheap plastic of those last Japanese tables made in the 90's. It is quite substantive.
My point is in all of this, if you are on a budget but really want to experience good vinyl playback. DO NOT BE AFRAID to look into and try a Made in Japan table made between say 1975-1985 or so. Again short of the cheapest models these tables in stock form are better than many may think. The Japanese industrial base at the time put a lot of money into competent to high quality turntables. Do not let any vinyl snob try to tell you that these were all junk. There were many very good choices from that era of turntable production.
Have fun in your search.
