Enjoying "Affordable" Equipment

I too have had a similar experience, I had a very poor kept SP10 Mk II purchased for a very cheap price, which was sent in to a UK individual known for their skill set with such a TT Model.

A Swap was done for the Chassis, which left me with a similar condition Chassis to take away to have improved aesthetically.

I visited a Custom Car Paint Shop not too far from my home and fell for the Coating being applied to Vehicle being worked on.

For the princely sum of £85 I was returned a 'mini me' version of the Vehicles Paint Job which was approx' 12 Coats of Paint inclusive of six coats of Lacquer.

Another very reasonable sum had myself a fully functioning TT with the Technicians bespoke Mod's for this model of TT included.

I have never looked back, I have been so impressed, I invested further to have a Stainless Steel Platter purchased. After prudent purchasing, I am not much over £600 all in, on TT > Exchange Platter > Panzerholz Plinth.

With a Bespoke produced Tonearm added, I am close to £2K.

With the Bespoke Built LOMC Cart' I am not much more than £2.65K.

This set up has been used in other systems and easily bettered TT Fronted Ends costing 10 x more.

In a few cases the end impact on others receiving demo's, has been they sold their TT set ups and produced mimics of my own one. 

One other individual was convinced it was time to part with a Belt Drive TT that they had substantially invested in and search out something that would be a betterment. Experimenting with other Drive Types as part of the newly prompted  journey of creating new experiences to be had.

Affordable can also mean does not stretch ones means too far, can be saved for over not too long a period of time, or a loan can be paid of with little concern for the repayments.

It is not limited to being easily acquirable from disposable income.

The 1200GR2 will fall into this category of planning finances for a purchase.

In context it does make sense, as the suggestions seen commonly spoken about on the Gon for New Model TT's is typically north of 2-3x this price as a most basic suggestion.

I might be the only individual recommending a very worthwhile TT to experience that is from the Vintage era, being a Japanese DD TT Aurex SR 510. This model can be purchased and delivered for not much more than $350.

This is an extremely competent TT for the money, where I know much more monies are required to better it as a OEM TT with Plinth from any era of TT's on the market.

Mount this TT Chassis in a Plinth using materials that are a better selection for the purpose, and give it a good choice for Tonearm and this will be a real contender to many much more expensive options. 

I even have a motor unit only to produce a SR 10 Kaneta mimic design, the Electronics are the Stump for myself, but it is not unsurpassable as a requirement.    

Note: As in all Vintage Equipment Purchases, Caveat Emptor is ones best friend.  

Panzerholz Wood Body for the Denon, is where much magic is to be discovered.

A plinth from this same material has won over many advocates for the material, of which I am a paid up member of that club.