Honest question about cartridge vs. turntable performance.

@jimman2        
No one here would say that it’s junk.  IMO I wouldn’t put an excessively expensive cartridge on it before upgrading the table first. That’s what the original post was asking advice on. Some of us get carried away expressing our opinions. Didn’t  mean to sound offensive. 

I’ve noticed  some listeners aren’t as sensitive to pitch stability. The table may then be less important. A lessor table, especially a mediocre belt drive would be completely unacceptable to me. I cannot listen to piano not holding pitch. But a lessor cartridge I may more likely still be able to enjoy. 

@mijostyn 


I remember the DD tables back in the 70’s and 80’s and when I got my Linn lp12  in 1985 I thought it was so much better. I think the problem was I only saw the low end Japanese DD. Also when I got my Linn it was the first time I purchased a decent cartridge. DD turntables for me back then meant low end. In the 80’s,  Made in Japan had a bad reputation  in audio. They never sent us much of their good stuff to North America. I’ve learn now that I had never heard their  top tables back then that are cheap to obtain now. Like SP 10, Denon DP80, @chakster has a Luxman pd444 and others of consideration. If you would have asked me, I would have recommended similar to chakster. But since you already own the Rega, it’s probably still a decent table that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. Along with my Garrard 301 and  2 DD I also own a Kuzma reference belt drive. But for the dollar a DD (especially vintage) can’t be beat in my opinion.

@cakyol 
I total disagree. I could be content with a lessor cartridge, but never an inferior table. Especially if a decent arm was used. If you can’t hear the difference than your Lp12 isn’t set up properly. As most Linns probably aren’t with their wobbly suspension.