There is a lifter out there called the "Levitator" that works just as good or better than the Safety Raiser, and is currently in production so the availability is there. No waiting on EBay to out bid 40 people on an over priced Safety Raiser. There is a couple Youtube video's on how they work, and setting them up. Mine is wonderful, and you will have to pry it out of my cold dead hands. The Levitator people also offer a money back guarantee so I never felt like I was risking anything. See for your self at their Youtube vids. Made in USA baby!
Advice on semi-auto turntables?
You guys have convinced me to replace my 25 year old turntable, assuming I can hear a difference. I really would like a semi-auto that returns the tonearm, unless there are some serious drawbacks with this feature. Or if this feature is going to limit me to non-quality TT's. The only current manufacturers I have found that produce semi-autos are Thorens and Dual. I am looking at a Thorens TD 295 MkIII. Dual makes a CS 505-4, but my gut feel is that the Thorens would be the better of the two. They are in the $900-$1000 range. Anyone heard either of these or have any opinions that would help me out? Thanks in advance.