Turntable suggestions for novice...

There are many choices. I'll note brands

Denon
JVC
Technics
Kenwood
Sansui
Sony
Marantz
Micro Seiki

These makers all make quality models in that era. Obviously given their age one takes a chance with age causing failure or tables being abused but IMO not likely on any table that was not an el cheapo model as people tend to take better care of more pricey things.

I have bought a few tables since my return into vinyl

A used Sansui SR-222MK1 from the mid 70's. Very good arm, decent table for an old belt driver.
A new Music Hall mmf2.1. Good new starter table for its day.
A DIY table I made first with a Rega RB250 arm then later a DIY arm. It was a fun project.
A new KAB USA moded Technics SL-1200MKII. A GREAT TABLE regardless of price.
My current rig is a JVC QL-Y5F, vintage top end model from JVC. I drooled over it back then as kid and recently bought it to fill my desire and its a great vintage unit.

I have a buddy who runs the TOL Sanyo Q-50 from the early 80's and its a pretty decent vintage unit. Sanyo back then did have some pretty nice tables.

The better Denons in that era would be good to look at but also check out the better Kenwoods, Sansuis, Technics and JVC's from the late 70's to the id 80's IMO.

Thanks for the response

Just as an aside a new MMF table depreciates rather harshly and they dont enjoy the same robust resale market as rega tables do. and most of the Japanese brands mentioned have some good, even 'highend' tables, but they also have some abysmally poor products too. The trick may be knowing which is which and will that arm be any good at all? ie compared to an RB300?

Anyway now I await the inevitable suggestion to go with an idler.......

PR0-JECT!!!!!

man, i cant believe that these decks are not
mentioned as they have 3 tables that are right
up his alley!!

the pro-ject debut3 is an AWSOME "entry level"
back to vinyl machine. comes set up with an
ortofon om5 cartridge.

the deck FAR,FAR exeeds its entry level price
and you ned to see the reviews from pros and
private listeners to make your decision.

i absolutely love mine and i thought for sure i
would be changing out the cartridge but so far,
after 8 months, i havnt had the desire to run out
and buy one. it looks very cool and sleek and is
pro machine, not an ion or budget stanton,numark
or ion. there is just a musical "thing" about this
deck i was not expecting at all. now, is it a top of
the line vpi or sota? no. but, you will be plenty
pleased and vinyly recharged with this deck while
waiting around for the cash for one of those hi enders.

comes with protractor, exellent manual with detailed set
up instrucions. all for around 400 bux! needle doctor
has them right now for 399.00 and they to can be "upgraded"
if you desire. the only thing i will probably do is order
one of there ACRYL-IT thick,acrylic platters. better bass
and it just looks damned cool!!! (chicks will dig it)

go read the reviews before making your decision.

In my own experience, in your price range,
New: Technics SL1200mkII
Recent used: Rega P3
Put a Dynavector 10x5 on the SL1200 and just quit. The Rega gives you a few years of tweaking/upgrades and will launch you on that path, but can be configured to outperform your excellent 740C. I have done both of the above, and either endpoint (the Rega one takes longer to reach) is satisfactory.

Personally, in that price range, I gotta agree with Les_creative-edge regarding top-line Japanese decks of the 1978-1983 vintages, but I would also consider this path somewhat incongruous with your system.