Back in the day- about 25 years ago, I was already very familiar with the sound on an LP12 and thought it was amazing. At the time I had a Thorens TD166 mkIV
Decided to get a new table, but could not swing the $ for an an LP12. Found a great dealer (shameless plug- Accent on Music, Mt Kisco, NY) where I demoed my Thorens vs 1- an Axis, 2- a Basik, 3- Rega Planar 3 and and LP 12 as reference, spent just about the whole day. Loved the Axis, but couldn't afford it. Left me between the Basik and Planar 3. I thought the Rega was a no brainer. Dynamic, pacey, exciting. I walked out having bought the Planar 3 with no regrets. I kept the planar 3 for 8 years and then traded it for an LP12 which I still have, though it's been upgraded since I first got it (most recently last year with a Kore subchasis).
Decided to get a new table, but could not swing the $ for an an LP12. Found a great dealer (shameless plug- Accent on Music, Mt Kisco, NY) where I demoed my Thorens vs 1- an Axis, 2- a Basik, 3- Rega Planar 3 and and LP 12 as reference, spent just about the whole day. Loved the Axis, but couldn't afford it. Left me between the Basik and Planar 3. I thought the Rega was a no brainer. Dynamic, pacey, exciting. I walked out having bought the Planar 3 with no regrets. I kept the planar 3 for 8 years and then traded it for an LP12 which I still have, though it's been upgraded since I first got it (most recently last year with a Kore subchasis).