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
Sounds like you have a pretty good digital front end. Keep in mind in essence you're competing with it for your musical pleasure and it will take a pretty good vinyl rig to do that. While it's a great idea to get into vinyl, I feel it's not realistic to get the quality you are used to for $1500.
IMO get the very best phono preamp you can afford and skimp on the TT-cartridge combo if need be. I dumped a ton into my analog front end. I'm very pleased with it.
I have to disagree with Dentdog. I had a $12K digital player at the time I bought my MMF5 and I was able to appreciate what analog had to offer, even with that huge price disparity.
Yes, a very good analog front end has it's virtues, but I think an MMF7 will let you test the waters without a huge financial commitment.
White Rega RP3 w/upgrades currently selling for $850.00
Dynavector P-75MKII currently selling for $450.00
Audio Technica OC9 MKIII currently selling for $395.00

You may never listen to your CDs again.
Clearaudio, VPI, or Music Hall has good starting turntable/arm/cartridge combo at around $1000~$1500.
I currently have a clearaudio bluemotion. It is easy to install and setup.

One you start enjoying vinyls, as with many audio enthusiasts, you you may get an upgrade bug.
The first thing you may consider would be upgrading the stock cartridge, then move to MC cartridge, SUT, then ... Along the line, you may want to purchase an additional turntable for mono cartridge.

Until then, enjoy your vinyls.
A Clearaudio Concept or a VPI Traveler are IMHO a standout best buy. The Traveler lists for 1500 but is sometimes even being offered with a Ortofon 2M red, which is easily upgradable to blue just by changing the stylus at a later date. The new Scout JR is planned to take its rightful place. Either table is good enough to grow into. You could without reservation put a $800-$1000 cartridge on either of them and still feel like it was appropriate for the rig you are putting it into, especially something like yours. If you like the BBC sound a used Linn LP12(80's Vahalla), or axis is also a really good way to go. New they sell for a fortune. Rega RP6 with a Sumiko Blue point EVOII comes in at about 2K new but also can be a very compelling match. If you want to stay at 1K or less, a Rega RP3, VPI Nomad or scout (acrylic platter) may be just the ticket with a modest cartridge. Unfortunately the Clearaudio product line is out of contention at this point. Unless you are lucky enough to find one with a MM cartridge used (about $1200 right now). A used VPI traveler sometime shows up too at about the same price sometimes, particularly the first generation. Any of these choice would sound great on your rig.