What is the best vintage TT for new audiophile?

08-22-12: Skvintage
Wow! Great responses. Ok then, what about a new TT with a budget of say...$500??

In that case, your best price/performance approach would be neither vintage nor new, but rather a recent used model in good condition that's about half what a new one would be. Such a 'table would be too new to have the issues I mentioned before. It *might* need a new belt and a spindle bearing lube, but not necessarily. Currently there are a couple of Rega Planar 3 turntables with dustcover and cartridge in the A-gon classifieds for around $450.

There's also a lightly used Rega P2 with dustcover and cartridge for just $121 over there. That would be a pretty satisfying starting rig with a minimum of fuss. The tonearm on it is worth more than that. You could put a nice cartridge and speed controller on it and still be close to your budget.

Thanks Johnnyb53!

If you want a new one, Pro Ject is offering their Debut for $400. Its a brand new design and replaces the III. It omes with a Ortofon 2M Red, which is very good. You cant go wrong with this. I would rec this over all vintage TTs in the same price. Check it out!

Check out the $400 Pro-Ject Debut Carbon at Needledoctor.com. Google for reviews.

I have owned several entry-level tables in the course of my fifty plus years as a music lover. My opinion is that the VPI HW-19 III or IV is hands down the very best "entry level" table (especially the IV!) and it outperforms many more costly offerings in today's market. With a good arm and cart and careful set-up, it is a marvelous performer. VPI still supports it (important) and all the performance mods and "DIY upgrades" are well-documented.

In addition, parts from the current line-up of VPI tables can be retro-fitted into the HW-19 in many cases. This provides and incremental upgrade path to near (if not equal or better) the level of performance of today's top VPI tables.