Help me to choose turntable below 1600$.

A few years ago, I purchased a Marantz TT-15S1. It is really an uprgraded Clearaudio Emotion 100% made in Germany. Includes a $800.00 cartridge too. It is a superb-sounding unit and has stunning looks. The tonearm alone is worth around $ 1,200.00 if purchased separately.

A no-brainer if there ever was one.

Next step for me is finding a compatible speed box, but nothing’s urgent, it sounds fine as it is.

https://www.musicdirect.com/turntables/marantz-tt-15-acrylic-turntable

http://www.vinylphilemag.com/pdf/vinylphile-003.pdf

https://www.amazon.com/Marantz-TT-15S1-Reference-Turntable-Transparent/dp/B000EI2I76

aeinstein: your comment ’’Marantz TT15 - merely a rebadged Clearaudio turntable with an $800 cartridge’’ you make it sound like the rebadged status is a negative thing or something not to be taken seriously.

In this case, Marantz does not hide the made in Germany Clearaudio pedigree, and this ’’rebadging’’ actually is a nice upgrade from Clearaudio’s own Emotion turntable. Marantz specified better ’’feet’’, a thicker acrylic platter, great styling and included a version of Clearaudio’s very nice Satisfy arm, I mean this arm is a beauty and sells by itself for a good sum.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Clearaudio-Satisfy-Tonearm

Not saying the Marantz is the be all - end all, but for the price with this level of jewelry, (even the aircraft acrylic used is incredible) it is a screaming deal and all the turntable many will ever need.

And stick a $ 10.00 micro IKEA lamp behind the platter, and watch the glow....as I said, a no-brainer and quite a conversation piece.

Regas, Clearaudio and VPI are of course great buys in this price range.

aeinstein, you don’t care if it’s plastic or wood? Do you also don’t care if it’s direct drive or belt? Black or red? s-shaped tonearm or straight ? Spikes or pucks? Heavy or light? Motor in or motor out? Dust cover or not?

Hope you get the drift of where I’m getting at.

The fact that YOU don’t care about the inclusion of a cartrige in a turntable, and YOUR indifference to wood or plastic has no relation to the merits of a turntable, be it that nice Marantz TT-15 or any other ’table for that matter.

You asked for suggestions up to $ 1,600. I still think that Marantz TT-15 is a steal for the money. So you don't want the included cartrige? You could easily sell it and get your own. Let's suppose you can quickly get 400.00 for it, if purchased used, that TT will end up costing you well under 1K.....and I bet you never heard one !