Advice and recommendations needed for a turntable rig...

Shoot, I forgot to mention fixmydual.com. Depending on the model they might be able to fix, and improve your inheritance. I think that would be so cool.  again, have fun, that's what it's all about

Neither Music Hall or Pro Ject have a mass leading design philosophy, they focus on lightness and reduced vibration.. They are different companies but do share some manufacturing space...

I no longer own one, but I agree that a Technics is probably the way to go. There are used ones, and the upper third, or so, of the range get the new motor. The brand has a great track record (not counting the late 80's and 90's... but they weren't the only ones to throw in the towel.  I forgave them, a little, long ago). They built their rep on dependable, rugged yet sophisticated direct drive TT's. The standard tonearm is effective, and (at least it used to be) easy to set up. The exchangeable head shells (basically the SME system) are convenient, but some people look down their noses. For myself, I don't care for the DJ knobs and features, but they seem to be part of the DNA. If I had a $3500 budget, I think I'd go for one of the GEM Dandy Poly TT's  (today). I wouldn't get too carried away with an expensive first TT, good, but not necessarily great. I'm a record collector first, so I would suggest a big portion of your budget is focused on the library. I have a U Turn Theory with a 2M Bronze which is maybe the best TT for 1K. I'm using a dedicated TT for stereo and mono in the main system, both MC carts, MM in the 2 upstairs systems. I have a couple of Kenwood KD TT's. There's a Denon auto in the system right now. I have a Dual 721, a Thorens 165 and a Realistic 420 on the healing bench. I also would suggest you start out with a Moving Magnet cartridge to get in the groove (sorry). MC carts can be a bit fiddley and frustrating as a first exposure, and maybe not so suitable for heavy daily use.. There are some amazing MM carts out there,  Don't neglect record cleaning (which is actually my hobby, the record hoarding is just the excuse to get material in the house). Get Fremmer's TT set up DVD. Have fun. See you in the record store.... someone has to support the artists out there being streamed.---- I think the corporations will survive the streaming craze, and if we get going with AI we won't have to worry about the musicians any more.

You might want to look at this turntable from music direct Denon - DP-3000NE Direct Drive Turntable - Music Direct

heavy turntable that has had good reviews with a removable head shell if you want or need to change cartridges.

@grk   Life's too short.  Have a nice day.

@2psyop I've used Technics TTs for almost 40 years.  In the 80's, I started with an SL-1200 and still have a SL-1600M2 that I purchased in 1984.  In my main system, I have a SL-1200G.  The build quality is impeccable, and, like all higher end Technics TTs, it is built like a tank. 

An SL-1200G with MC cartridge and phono pre is over your budget, but Technics has others that will.  Take a look at this one: Technics SL1200GR2 Direct Drive Turntable

@2psyop 

If you want to see what vinyl play is like today but are a bit unsure how it will sound, Fluance TT's have a range of players which include the TT, arm, and cartridge.  If you go to at least the RT82, it will give you a good sounding system if you upgrade the cartridge one notch.  Step up to the top of the line RT85 and you get the upgraded platter, cartridge.  You could buy a better version of a phono preamp and save a lot of money.  The RT85 sells for only $500 delivered to your door.  The plinth on the RT82 on up is all wood.  I have a very high end system and my best friend bought the RT82 w/ upgraded cartridge.  We had about 5 people go listen to this system and were amazed at the authentic sound quality it provided.  Do yourself a favor and look up their TT's on line.  This system would keep you involved for many years and maybe more.  You could have it set up within about 20 minutes of getting it out of the box.  The price seems like a misprint, but these babies are for real.  I've had many very good turntable/arm combos.  The Fluance TT's will make you feel foolish for what very good tables cost.  I wish I were kidding about the SQ and the looks, but they are for real.  Rated the Best Buy in TT/arm/cartridge combos.  My TT weighs in at 120 lbs.  It sounds fantastic when all is working well.  My cartridge costs over $2500 alone.  The only drawback is you can't use most high end cartridges with the Fluance arms.  The cartridge they use is very good sounding.  You will not have much to brag about because of the price, but the SQ will make up for it.  Put the extra money into a much better phono preamp.  If you have never heard one of the upper end Fluance TT's, don't bash it on price or prestige, just because it costs a fraction of what many have invested in their analog setups.  

Bob

I would look at VPI. The VPI Scout 21 would be a good choice. My first foray into high end tables was a VPI. It was a great choice. I think I prefer heavy tables overall.

@bigtwin

"Vinyl strikes me as a waste in 2024." Really! The OP was not asking for opinions on what people think of vinyl. He is looking for..."advice and recommendations for a turntable rig." I don’t see how your opinion helped him. Apparently, reading comprehension is not your strong suit.

@2psyop  

Sorry to hear about your friend's passing. Old friends like that are a treasure chest of memories. I have a notion that whatever TT you end up with will be a very enjoyable time. 

Again guys, thanks for the recommendations. I have an old friend, Mike, for whom I have been close with off and on for decades. He passed with Covid about 1 year ago and his wife told me he wanted me to have his turntable and albums. We used to listen to the Beatles when we were early teenagers. The Dual TT is shot, but I now have 3 crates of old albums. I think buying a TT and listening to those records will help keep my good memories of him alive. So that will be part of the ritual for sure. I have waiting long enough to do this, even though I am a digital guy now. I do understand the big investment part. My budget is upper limit, I might spend much less but I will need a decent phono stage, since I don’t currently have one.

Looking for advice from those who have used any TT set up and why.

Why is easy. Vinyl pulls you into the music more than digital IMO. I think the biggest reason may be the ritual. Every 20 minutes or so you are going to have to do the dance, (the ritual). IOW it makes you pay attention and keeps you involved. Whenever I listen to digital I have a tendency to let my mind wander which turns into not really listening to the music. it has become a background event rather than the main event. I also believe there is something about the quality of sound from vinyl. Back in the CD player times, the advertising always mentioned the player having an analog sound.. So why not listen to vinyl? My system is skewed toward the vinyl so to say my digital is an unfair comparison. But I do like the convenience of digital. And it sounds pretty good.

Now about the ritual. Are you ready for the ritual? That’s what I usually ask the younger crowd.I suspect you remember the rituals, etc. But If you don’t like the ritual you won’t like vinyl all that much. BTW clean records are a necessity.

I’m partial to VPI TT’s I had several prior to my Teres and liked them. There are 2 rightn now that fit the bill for your budget on the 1st page of USAM. I lean more towards this one which has extras. But the TNT is a good deal too.

VPI Aries 3 with upgrades For Sale - US Audio Mart

good luck & Happy hunting

"I listen to Jazz, Blues and instrument music mostly..."

Another reason to start with an arm with removable headshell.

Jazz and Blues: many, many great Jazz masters were born around the turn of the prior century, made their reputation's 30's 40's 50's prior to Stereo, thus Mono LP's are in your future. Mono recording technics in the 40's and 50's were already very good, some Mono carried into the 60's. you are buying great listenable music, prior to that, 30's you are buying 'history'.

Thus, tonearm with removable headshell makes it easy to get/use a mono cartridge, as I learned here, it is MUCH better than playing a Stereo Cartridge in Mono Mode. Every friend agrees when they listen here. Several have gotten their own Mono Cartridges after that.

That Pioneer table looks like a great way to go.  A 32# table for $700!  Looks like a bargain.  I have the Project X2 in a headphone based system.  It's a beautiful table to be sure with a nice tonearm.  I'm very pleased with it.  But that Pioneer looks very interesting.

Are you sure you will stick with Vinyl?

If not, it is my advice to start modestly, see if you stick with it, then move up.

Audio Technica AT-120 turntable is a great start, it now comes with their AT-VM95e cartridge (elliptical stylus). MM Interchangeable Stylus: You can upgrade the stylus (6 variations fit it). The cartridge body stays factory aligned, an advantage when starting out.

Certainly not excellent sound, but certainly enough to see if you stick with the 'hands on' Vinyl world.

Direct Drive

Internal optional Phono EQ gets you started with no additional expense (my AT-120’s optional eq sounded better to me than my McIntosh C28’s phono).

Removable headshell allows trying better cartridge in the future, then those headshell/cartridges can be used on a future arm, so that investment is transferrable as you move up.

You mentioned this is for ONE of your systems. Therefore, if you stick with vinyl, you could use the starter TT in a less important system or give it away, or sell it.

AT has an outlet store, certified .... even easier to start, find out if you will stick with it.

From my personal experience. Had MMF-5, my understanding Music Hall is sister company of Pro-ject using the same components, and was not impressed to say the least. Moved to Marantz TT15S2,by Clearaudio, very significant upgrade. Went through several phono stages and settled on QHW Vinyl, see review by M. Framer. Currently having Hana ML, overall I am very satisfied and settled in with this set up for a while, I think.

Before you buy anything, make sure you have a stable place to put it. I suggest placing half a glass of water in the intended spot and walk around. If the water wobbles, you will have an issue. Been there and it’s not fun to get your new table home only to have the arm skitter across the record if you look at it the wrong way. As far as what you buy, I really think you should consider it an experiment to see if you really want to stick with vinyl. Any of the regular players are fine. technics, project, whatever. Then in a year or 2, if you want to stay with it, you’ll have a lot more experience from which to choose an upgrade if you like. 

I have an older Technics 1200 and the PLX1000 is at least as good in all aspects!

You can buy a Pioneer PLX1000 for $700 and then spend more on a mc cartridge like a $1300 Hana. Herb Reichert gave the Pioneer a very positive review in Stereophile. I bought one to add to my TT collection and am very pleased with it!

Last year I purchased the X8 with an Ortofon Quintet Blue MC cartridge from a local dealer (I live in Austria where Pro-Ject is based). The TT/cartridge combination is offered as a package here, so everything was ready to go out of the box. I also went with the Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3 B phono stage to take advantage of the balanced output option of the X8 (the DS2 does not have that option). Additionally, load impedance on the DS3 B can be set continuously via a potentiometer. Adjusting impedance during playback has been a fun feature to play with. I have tested RCA and XLR back and forth, and the XLR balanced connection through the DS3 B and my rig produces about a 6db gain with a lower noise floor. I am really happy with the X8/Ortofon/DS3 B combination. The table weighs 33 lbs and is very well made. I have not listened to the Sumiko Blue Point MC cartridge, so I cannot comment on the difference to the Quintet Blue (which is a low-output MC design). The 9cc EVO carbon tonearm has an integrated headshell, so if you are interested in swapping cartridges in the future, it will not be the easiest rig to manipulate.

Wow, you guys are giving some awesome advice and I thank you. I know analog guys are out there and the luv of vinyl is strong. Younger generations are getting into albums for a reason and I think that helps keep HiFi alive. Some others have mentioned Technics and VPI, anyone out there with experience with those two brands?

'Mass Loading' Is this a term you can expend on, as Heavy TT can be produced by including a wide range of singular materials or an even wider range of differing materials in the construction ? 

Do note 'Mass' needs good Support and a Wall Shelve is usually one method that can be discounted if the Wall Structure is questionable for the purpose.

$3.5K will be a substantial allocation on monies to get on board with Vinyl, if you are not needing to build a Vinyl Collection from 'all analogue production' of LP's.

Digital / Analogue Hybrid produced LP's will not be cheap but more affordable than an all analogue version.

Used LP purchases will have a mixed bag of opinions, and cleaning the LP will become a Buzz Word Topic, if one does buy used it will be their cheapest route into 'all analogue production' LP's. 

The LP is the Source, everything else to be achieved is attempts to have a optimised data extraction and optimised energy transfer for creating the signal to be sent Upstream in the signal paths circuitry.  

@2psyop 

Although there are lots of available options, I think yours are solid picks - reflecting solid research and careful thought.  You're gonna love it.  

Don't let the vinyl naysayers affect your decision!  Yes, it needs patience and room (to store records) but the rewards are worth it to many. I use both digital (CDs and internet radio)l and analog media and while digital is certainly convenient, it does not (for me) compare to analog. I find records to be much more sonically satisfying, plus album art work can be beautiful and the liner notes most informative.  Also, try getting an artist to sign a digital download. Will you sign my thumb drive? ; ) In addition, artists are getting totally ripped off on digital downloads... literally fractions of a penny on the dollar! Buying physical media helps them make more $ per record.

Also, @bigtwin, who are you to tell someone how to spend their money without knowing anything about them?