Has anyone had any experience using a MELCO tt ?

I have not heard a Melco but someone I trust who has heard Melcos and all the relevant Micros told me that comparable Micros would be the larger models (5000 and 8000 series, with a possible nod to the 1500). Given the mass involved on the 3560 (haven't seen a 3555 so cannot say), and the possibilities for changing to a new separate motor (like ones offered by Teres & Galibier), his view sounds reasonable to me. I live in Japan but I see Melcos on the market only once in a blue moon (and when they do appear, they are rarely "complete" or "original" - and prices are more than Micro 1500s with less attached (no arm, suspect motor)). Perhaps your market is different. If it were me, I might scoop one up if it were offered cheap, but I wouldn't necessarily hold my breath waiting for the right one to come around.

Thanks Fihihifi. I would be happy to get a mail from you with more info if you manage to find a 3560 (or other) in Japan that you decide not to purchase. I can also reflect impressions on price info regarding the one you were offered based on what I see here.

As for "worth it"? I do not know. I haven't heard one, BUT for me, if the bearing is good/replaceable (and I don't know thing 1 about the bearing), then one is buying a mammoth stainless or gunmetal platter with stand, where armboards and motor could be sourced separately - very modular if you're into that kind of thing. Though, doing that would not be cheap either...

Let me know for the Melco(s).

If you know a good machinist and you can source the metal, and what you really want is that kind of base and a great hunking slab of metal for a platter, you might dig around the Teres website. You could get a DC pulley or DD-motor and bearing there, machine your own platter, base, and arm-mount, and off you go. The bearing mechanism would have to be designed but you might be able to use some combination of Teres pieces and something else.

You might also be able to ask a TT-builder to build one to your spec. You might find, however, that a lot of the guys around like Chris Brady or Thom Mackris (Galibier) have spent a great deal more time than we have trying to figure out what works best, and one of theirs will not cost measurably more than doing it bit-by-bit...