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Advice - What turntable should I buy ???

Finally looking to buy a turntable to complete my system and to allow me to resurrect some old vinyl and to selectively buy some new vinyl as needed. I am not an avid audiophile but know just about enough to be dangerous and am interested to receive feedback from experienced folks who can assist me narrowing my search. I am confused on what I actually need as I read references to turntable , cartridges, tone arm, power supplies etc..
I have total budget $1000-1500max for a used low hrs unit that is complete and ready to connect to my system. I sometimes see these threads used as an avenue to ding various makes and systems etc.. but please don't respond with negativity as I know what sound I enjoy and am keen to hear only positive advice on turntables to supplement my system which I know is not everybodies taste (I listed items only to indicate my type of preference). Majority listening will still reside with my CD and music dvd/blu-rays.
Oppo 105D universal player; Conrad Johnson MET-1 5.1 tube pre-amp (Teflon caps); C-J MET-150 5-channel hybrid tube amp, Cardas Hexlink/Quadlink RCA interconnects; Dali Helicon 400 fronts/300 rears/200 center. Many tks in advance of positive advice
mdempster
mdempster OP
9 posts
 
Thanks again for additional comments - to the question of where do I live. I live in Houston area. Anyone know of any places around Houston to demo ? A quick search reveals nothing so will likely require to check Austin or Dallas.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,552 posts
 
Galen Carol Audio. San Antonio,Texas.
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
835 posts
 
In Austin there is Whetstone Audio on East 6th St., Brian carries Rega and Well Tempered turntables.
Also Audio Systems on Koenig Rd. carries Rega and I'm not sure what else.
vernneal's avatar
vernneal
438 posts
 
Pro-Ject SE 5.1 with a Sumiko Blue Point #2 cartridge.
Costs $999 blows away anything short of a $2000 VPI Scout
Turn key operation. Take the $500 you save and buy a good
record cleaner & take your wife out to eat. Buy it mail
order thru Audio Advisor and have it in 2 days
mdempster OP
9 posts
 
Thanks for advice. I actually had the Pro-ject se5.1 and Music Hall MMF5.1 on my list or, a good Rega (used). Although these are not high end did anyone out there ever actually regret buying either of these units ? These look fairly decent entry level units to get me back in there without fuss and will even leave enough over to buy the record cleaner, take the wife out and pay the babysitter. Probably need something to last 3-5yrs at which time I can begin a further 5-10yr upgrade process for all my equipment. I am doing lots of research and education in a very general sense and this is definitely helping my understanding (is fun as well). Will also try to get through to visit some dealers but concerned I will end up coming out with something high cost that I don't really need because it is played through great speakers/system and is not really comparable with what I have or truly need.
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