Best Used Turntable for around 1K

Look for a VPI HW-19 Mk3 or Mk 4, which sell used at about this price. You may also be fortunate enough to spot a VPI Scout (with JMW-9 arm) for about this price (they are still new on the market and retail to $1500). The Scout/JMW-9 combo just got an absolute rave review in one of the high-end audio mags, and the HW-19 Mk 4 was listed in TAS's "Recommended Components" as one of the best values in high-end turntables.

If you modify the Rega P-3, you will get better results: rewire the arm w/cardas wire, clips, cardas box w/rhodium jacks, use a golden cross interconnect to your phono pre. Then replace feet with walker audio valid points, then change mat to audioquest sorbethane. I did all these, each made an improvement in resolution. I also have my rack shelf replaced with a custom made 1/2" thick solid steel shelf, heavy as hell but super dead and super rock solid. I now have a P-9, better table, but I think the P-3 is pretty darn good in the 1K range and hard to beat.

Xie, Steve Rochlin of www.enjoythemusic.com and Thorsten (European reviewer) did the comparison of a P3 vs stock Technics 1200. No contest--the real turntable won...

A good "plug and play" and forget it turntable setup is the Music Hall MMF-7

in order
Rega P-25 becouse of the great tone arm.
Clearaudio - Champion Great Turtable. and Looks to kill
Music Hall - MMF-7 can't beat the great used Prices I have this Table and Love it!
then Maybe the Basis 1400
and the on to a used VPI