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Best sounding turntable and cartridge for $1100

I have seen a lot of turntable and cartridges packages in  $1000- $1100, such as the Project RPM3 with the Sumiko BP-2 MC.   Project Xperience 1 with a Sumiko Pearl MM;  Rega Planar 3 with a Elys II cartridge. 

 I have formerly owned a Rega 3-24 with Elys II  and a Project Carbon DC with Ortofon 2M Red (which I did not like at all) . Would like to try something different, but can live with the above brands depending on their overall performance 

Need recommendations for turntable/cartridge new or used combo that punches far above its price of  $1100.  Thank you

   

sunnyjim

Showing 3 responses by sbank

sbank's avatar
sbank
3,391 posts
 
@sunnyjim How about a KAB-modded Technics SL1200?  If you want new, you can pay a couple hundred premium to get NOS on eBay or just find a minty used one of the 6MM or so sold. Add a KAB fluid damper and have the arm rewired, swap out for some better feet or cones and you are well in your budget with a rock solid table that IMHO punches well above anything discussed in this thread so far. You will also be on a path to easily allow future easy upgrades if they tickle your fancy. 
I've heard these tables in SOTA systems where they replaced tables at 10x the price. 
For info check out KAB's site or the "Techipedia" section of the British forum theartofsound. Cheers,
Spencer
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,391 posts
 
@sunnyjim So no comment or reaction regarding the Technics modded SL1200 suggestions?  Read up on these before you blow it off and say I'm crazy. There are a large number who're happy that they've gone that route. Cheers,
Spencer
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,391 posts
 
@sunnyjim Yes, I agree about not preferring speed/pitch adjustments, and disabling that is one of the common mods. The motor is very robust and one of the strengths of the 1200. Remember this wasn't built for the DJ market, it was designed as a mid-to-highend table and was adopted by DJs etc. because it was so reliable, speed-stable and durably built. These are all good reasons for the modder/tweaker community to embrace it over most others. Only doing a total plinth replacement and more on a SP10, Garrard 301/401 or Lenco 75 is a likely better option for going from something that can evolve into a great table from modest beginnings. The 1200 is the only of these that fits many budgets and that's why there's such a community of shared experience to make it feasible on the cheap. Okay, I'm done ;-) Cheers,
Spencer
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