Turntable with stable speed.

No regrets, You have brought up the most commonly discussed issue on the Analog site. There are two or three active threads devoted directly or indirectly to this subject. Look at the current top ten threads, and you will find in several cases lively and acrimonious discussion of your topic.

DrPank, I can only agree fully with one point you made: drive technology is not the determinant of speed stability. It can be done with BD, DD, and Idlers. But not all turntables do it, nevertheless.

Syntax thanks for testing my Kuzma. I am not sure what my
saving is but you deserve one or two Bavarian 'Kanne' of beer.

Typically brush-less, quartz based DD such as Technics, etc...various price points....Denon, Sony, Sansui all made quality units doing this era...

I have (in recent years) owned Thorens, VPI and Basis turntables. With regard to turntable stability the Basis is the best of the three that I have had. The Thorens was also good but I didn't care for the particular tonearm with this table.

Good luck.

I build TT's and own (or owned) just about every possible technology.

A decent TT will measure wow/flutter of less than 0.08%, the smaller the better. 0.06 weighted is very good and below that excellent.

I am afraid that truly excellent tables do not exist at this price (thats for new including tonearm).

I would look out for 2nd hand and if it is ok with you i would check those vintage denon DD's, cause they tend to cost less than other famous DD's as the technics sp10 mk2-3.

some excellent tables (early 80's japanese products) can be found at this price range, check the vintage knob site for micro's, kyocera, kenwoods top model.

2nd hand tables (not vintage ones) might be found at y price range complete with tonearm. SME and kuzma are 2 of my favs