Enjoying "Affordable" Equipment

I bought the same turntable, with an Ortofon 2M Blue mm cartridge and a Cambridge Audio preamp.  I put it in a secondary system, my basement HT system, playing in 2 channel.  The intent was to move it to the big system upstairs after I reconfigured a few things to make room for the analog setup, but it sounded so good in the basement system (and the LPs are stored there) that it stayed.  Rest of the system is an Anthem 5.1 AVR and Silverline Panatella floor standers with a Paradigm sub.  Digital are a Pioneer Universal player, Apple TV, and Channel Master DVR.  
 I still love my expensive 2 channel rig upstairs but am spending more time down there

There’s a lot of really good affordable gear. It’s wonderful when it gets discovered and enjoyed. There’s not necessarily a direct correlation between sound quality and money spent. I’ve never had much of an audio budget to work with, yet somehow my system evolved into a rig that I love the sound of, am proud of, and that I enjoy everyday. There is definitely a world of affordable and potentially excellent sounding gear if you pay enough attention. 

Sometimes you get what you pay for...sometimes the other guy does!

I have had the Rhea Eclipse phono preamp for quite some time. I do recall when I first used it there was a dramatic improvement in my vinyl playback. That might be a big part of why the Technics is such an enjoyable listen for me. Also there is something special about the Denon DL 103. It is very unrefined but very enjoyable for some reason.

I am usually all about getting more than my moneys worth in audio equipment.  Sometimes it works, as your Technics TT.  Sometimes it doesn't.  Live and learn.

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.