Beginner Turntable

IME the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon stands head'n'shoulders above the competition at $399. It's simply stupendous at that price. It comes with the best cartridge of the entry-level turntables as well. Pro-Ject also offers their Phono Box MM preamp for $99, bringing the total to $498, $2 under budget. You'd be hard-pressed to equal this combo at that price, let alone do better.

I have about $1100 in my turntable rig, and I'd say the Pro-ject Carbon tonearm easily bests mine.

I bought a Thorens TD 145 for $200.00. With a Herbies record mat and Grado cartridge, it sounds pretty good. I would think hard about whether I wanted a good modern table like a Rega or a good vintage table that could be modified like a Thorens.

Use your money wisely,as for beginner plug & play is very smart move!
Pro-ject debut carbon is my choice and add ART djpre phono or TCC tc750 both about $60 with gain control as xtra feature is good for money.
And the rest $ left to get as much record you can.
Have fun listening .

Go with either the AT-AP120 or MH USB-1 with a better cart like the AT95E, save the money to buy lots of LPs, and enjoy!

That way you can also enjoy meat and alcohol, not only for the next month, but for years to come!

Your well reviewed Denon mini player is a 5 star What Hi-Fi winner so you're better off keeping it.

I believe that you will like the small footprint of the USB-1 plus the color will match perfectly with your mini system.

Don't overspend and start spinning!

Happy listening!

Thank you guys very much, I saw a lot of your ID in others' thread.

For Kiko65 and Johnnyb53:

First thank for your advice. Im thinking how much the sound will be different between AT-AP120 or MH USB-1 and Pro-ject. I have seen some threads said TT with a phono build in is not as good as the simple TT. I could not find a TT store and the only place I could try tt is a LP exchange store, where they use really old machine with receiver. So I could not try any of them

I have been play clarinet for nearly ten years and I will use my tt only for classic. I would like offer the best for my ear :).

Thank you guys again.