budget tables

rotarius , The 30 bucks was price for tech to do it in Hi Fi store in Minneapolis . If I tried it would have ended up in trash .

I have an Edwards Audio Apprentice TT1 mk2 with the C100 cartridge.  It is the first real turntable I've owned but it does sound very good and comes well reviewed.  In college I had a Bang and Olufsen 

Hello @schubert 
What $30 tool did you get for bearing adjustment?
Thanks in advance.

PLX1000 is unbeatable under 2 grand . Bearings are set a bit loose in case
of DJ use . 30$ at a local store eliminated that !
With a Grado Sonata on it sings like a lark on acoustic music .

Thanx MattMiller

I've about come to that idea too. Plus there's a dealer in Dallas who will set it up for me, and a tech shop.That amount of money is pricey for a boy like me but I think I'm gonna splurge. thanks to all for their input. 

I don't know what you consider "budget" TT's. I can tell you that I really enjoy my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Esprit SB turntable. The price has recently dropped $50 and they are now selling for $549. The Esprit sports a DC motor, Speed control, a carbon arm, acrylic platter and an Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge. I've really enjoyed it. I did upgrade the phono interconnect cable to a cable from Audio Sensibility and felt it was worth the extra $100. I am thinking about upgrading the Ortofon with a new 2M Blue Stylus. Regardless of the urge to upgrade the cartridge, I'm pretty happy with it. Can't image you can get a much better package for $549.

U-turn would be a sideways move. Pioneer PLX1000 would be a good upgrade on what you have for little money. Pay attention to good level support table. Thorens tables tend to be lacking in detail and energy.

What is "budget" turntable for you? 
Japanese direct drive (used) kills them all for reasonable price

Switch to REGA you will never switch agian!

And I have a JA Michell! ROFL, Seriously though get a REGA best one you can afford P1 P2 P3 dosent matter.

Matt M