Pro-Ject turntables

I was interested in Pro-Ject turntables...are they as good as the reviews say? And which model is the one to get? IT COULD BE THE LESS EXPENSIVE ONE, no problem.

Notec; so what then is your advice if all the under-$1000 TTs are crap? And at what level does a turntable newbie start at?

Sorry Notec, but you are dead wrong. One can put together a very satisfying system with ANY of the tables you so casually dismiss. Have you ever even heard them? I notice that you say you can do "much Better" but then don't list any alternatives.

Just purchased the Debut Carbon. It is a great sounding TT in it's price category. I agree with others to upgrade the cartridge and also get the acrylic platter.

I would like to find one of those 10.1s if only because it looks so dangerous, but my Linn Basik/Akito rig keeps chugging along...Sumiko Pearl, replaced/upgraded tonearm cable (rat bites in the original...seriously). I recently cleaned the dustcover with Windex...is that considered an upgrade? I use the table with the dustcover off, so the smudges only have an impact on the table when it's not running. I think this phenomena is technically known as "visual smudging."

Per Notec...
"Anything sold as "Analog Gear" on sites like Music Direct and their ilk are a good indicator of mass produced low quality TT that should be avoided."....

Wow, even the Avid tables that Music Direct sells are to be avoided? Because they handle these too along with VPI and all the other brands you site. Its amusing that you do not think the 26K Acutus SP is not Hi-Fi? I am curious at what price speakers and amps must start at to be considered real Hi-Fi in your world.

To the OP...The Pro-ject tables sound very good for the money and they put together some very attractive table/cartridge packages. The Carbon with an Ortofon 2M Red is an outstanding entry level table. Since you don't site budget and ask which one to get, I normally don't recommend what I have, but if 1K is doable, I suggest you check out the Pro-ject RM5.1 SE. Its comes with a Sumiko Blue Point No. 2 high output MC cartridge that is a $400 cartridge if purchased separately. The 9CC tonearm this table comes with is a $700 stand alone item. In fact, Oracle uses this tonearm on their 5K Paris model and I understand that Linn uses this same arm of some of their tables too. While all good, I really believe the RM5.1 SE is the best value in the Pro-ject lineup. Hope some of this helps.