Looking for a more solid-feeling turntable (and maybe a new preamp)

If you get past a few thousand, Rega doesnt have much to offer. I own the top Merrill Williams table and couldnt be happier. I think Merrill makes a less expensive table which may be worth a look. I always thought the Helius tables/arms were very good for the price. Have never heard your speakers, but they may not be particularly tube friendly or you may need more power. 

Thorens TD124 with long and short SME arms, no dust cover

scroll UP

TD124, in a box, 1 SME arm, removable headshell

I owned the TD124/SME 3009 combo above, in a larger dustproof cabinet, but my wood floors are too springy for it’s amazing bearing which is sensitive to vertical movement.

For a friend, I helped assemble a two arm Luxman PD-444 with both long and short Micro Seiki 505 arms, I highly recommend it, Quartz Locked Direct Drive

https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=luxman+pd-444

I like it so much, recommend it so often that I uploaded some info on this site

One nice feature is the built-in two arm junction box, with A/B switch, so only 1 phono cable out to your phono input

PD-441 Single Arm Version

The JVC Victor CL-P2 Plinth that I chose, (when you can find one), is a very substantial 7 layer composite they engineered at the peak of the Vinyl Era, with two removable arm boards

here’s a peek at my arm board removed (it is a 5 layer composite, you cannot imagine it warping or vibrating)

It fits various models of their Quartz Locked Direct Drive spinners, I chose TT81

shown with it’s dust cover on. you lift it off, need to have a designated place for it

I agree with you. I used to own a mid-level Rega and a friend owns one. I understand why lots of folks like them. But they are not my cup of tea. They always sound light and unsubstantial to me. 

I would recommend looking at VPI, SME, and Linn. I owned a VPI Aries for a couple decades. I highly recommend one of their suspensionless models.  I now own a contemporary Linn LP12. Also a great sprung  turntable. Its upgradability is a fantastic feature. I started with a mid-level configuration and then upgraded to about the top of the line. If you’re one of those folks that wants the best, but can’t afford it... now. This is an excellent choice. Each of four upgrades were sonically very significant and cost effective. My dealer just charged me for the difference between what I had and the new component. 

The upper end of the Technics line looks awfully nice (and substantial). 

Solid reputation and very good reviews. I don't have personal experience with the newer ones but the old 1200 series we very solid. 

Here ya go!

https://www.vpiindustries.com/vpiforevermodelone

@hiscores - was at my local shop yesterday to pick up a Powernode for my outdoor deck system. They have this super loaded VPI, Scoutmaster Ref and demoed it for me. Please purchase it cause I don't have the $5K and I couldn't sleep all night thinking about it, lol!

https://holthill.com/collections/vintage-audio/products/vpi-super-scoutmaster-reference-turntable-with-all-the-upgrades

VPI makes very solid tables for the money.  Starting at about $2500.  If you don't mind a wee bit of fussiness.

You may want to consider VPI - heavy, stable, great build quality and sound. 

Some nice recommendations here already. I had been in your shoes late last year. Wanted to get back into record albums after about 40 years. The first consideration was belt drive or direct drive. These two are different camps. I went with VPI Prime X with a Soundsmith cartridge. Some people really like the idea of a removable headshell. I think? more DD models offer this. Also

VTA on the fly is important to some as well. I think the TT + cartridge + phono preamp really must have great synergy to get good sound. Good luck.

VPI and SOTA are worth exploring among others.  Here are a couple phono preamps worth a look as well.  Best of luck. 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650195047-for-sale-allnic-h-5500-phono-stage-mint-condition-2-full-extra-sets-of-nos-tubes/

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650201965-manley-steelhead-v2-phono-tube-preamp/

two arms, no dust cover

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650196514-galibier-gavia-turntable-with-triplanar-vii-tonearm-lyra-kleos-sl-schick-12-tonearm-miyajima-premium/

need a project? end up with Garrard 301 in a box with 1/2/3 arms (note: 50hz model)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/405238011206?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=06fa1c54-12fd-11f0-bd33-616134383633

I showed a few I never had personal experience with

I owned the Thorens SME combo, terrific within a solid space

I setup the Luxman 2 arm unit for my friend, it’s terrific

I setup one of these for another friend

https://www.ebay.com/itm/296674709589?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=5a2198e8-12fe-11f0-9fd8-306235663565

the EPA B500 base has easy change arm wands, including the S arm with removable headshell, a straight arm fixed headshell,    is a very compact yet multiple arm combo, the specs of the old SP-10,15,25’s have yet to be surpassed,

they don’t show or mention it, but confirm it comes with the dust cover.

bgross

I feel lucky to live near VAS, I think you are lucky to live near Holthill

budget for isolation base so you can experience BASS… or just get the best SOTA you can fit in the budget

Thanks all for the suggestions so far!

To answer a question upthread, I've been using the Shindo Aurieges as my phono stage.

And one thing I definitely want to ensure is that any new turntable/preamp pairs well with my SET system and also, ideally, with my Dynavector XX2.

Does anyone have any recommendations that pair well with Line Magnetic SETs specifically?

Does anyone have any recommendations that pair well with Line Magnetic SETs specifically?

That’s almost meaningless.  Everyone’s taste is different so what one person likes with the LM may have nothing to do with what you’re looking for or even be opposite to what you’re looking for.  Better to be as specific as possible about what specific improvements you are looking for and then you’ll get some very meaningful and more useful recommendations here. 

your amp has remote volume correct?

like me, you could use a full featured Vintage tube preamp with manual volume, get remote volume from your integrated amp.

I feel lucky that I chose a McIntosh MX110z tube tuner/preamp after reading this

https://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue77/vintage_mcintosh_experience.htm

here’s one in good shape

https://www.ebay.com/itm/116180267763?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=1bfa2d76-130a-11f0-8e1e-643436633831

I love it's sound and features, and use a SUT with 3 inputs, PASS for MM and 4 options for my MC cartridges to keep using the MX110z's MM Phono

Don’t let the “heavier is better” marketing get you.  
the turntable is a great table. 
Take a look/eval at the Audio Technica ART-20 - $3k or so

its the follow-up based in the ART9xi with an iron core. 
beautiful presentation with plenty bottom end, even on my much more basic Rega 3. 
Don’t know about your phone pre. 
 

I would look at Basis and Avid, there may also be a Kuzma in your price range, all very substantial in build, with good support from the manufacturers.

Acoustic Signature tables are very solid, and heavy. Whichever model meets your price target should answer your need.

I have a Montana Neo, and am looking at their Double X Neo if I decide to downsize.

What is the Rega placed on and have you experimented with such?

DeKay

Some would say that VPI and Rega are opposite ends of the spectrum. Maybe consider some in-betweeners. Suggestions are Clearaudio and Pure Fidelity. Good options within your budget. 

I had a Helius top tonearm.....all kinds of headaches.....went back to the manufacturer a few times and I gave it up

Two major factors (at least) here: 1) Your arm mass may be a little low for the Dynavector's compliance. That will wipe out bass on a vinyl rig faster than anything else. 2) I have never been able to square Rega low-mass 'theory' with either physics or my ears, although I think arms like the RB-330 are great, VTA issues aside. 

Personally, give me some well damped mass, like VPI. My Prime Scout weighs in at over 40 Lbs and has a solidity of bass an resistance to footballs and feedback I've never had before. Newton's First Law in action: An object at rest tends to stay at rest unless acted upon by an external force. And then Newton's Second da Law kicks in: Force=Mass X Acceleration. Or, in this case Acceleration = Force/Mass. Increasing Mass reduces Acceleration (of the stylus) by external force. Rega argues that once in motion, higher mass takes longer to stop vibrating. That neglects two factors, it is harder to initially get the higher mass moving, and second, the damping of that mass, the 'Q' is a major determinant of how long that mass resonates.

For all its humble origins, MDF is quite well damped. Especially when layered with constrained layer materials. So are some composites like quartz/acrylic countertop. A plinth-sized piece of 3CM quartz/acrylic countertop would weigh upwards of 75 lbs if used as a base. If cut out to hold a DD motor assembly, probably 50-60.  A 2.25" (5.7cm) MDF plinth like my VPI comes in at 20lbs or so before layering with steel. And at a fraction of the cost of quarz/acrylic (water jet cutting and finishing aren't cheap). Add to that the 22Lb platter, and it's not east to get vibrating, and is damped enough to do so at a low level, low frequency and low Q. 

@OP The Luxman PD-151 is worthy of consideration as is a Technics 1200 or 1300. Both are solidly built and excellent sounding.

I have had several clients move from a Rega deck to either a Feickert or Pure Fidelity table. Both are much more substantial with excellent build quality and sonics. I have had great success running an Audio Origami arm on these—simple and fuss-free design that sounds fantastic. Either table with the PU-7 can be had around your price point. 

DD applies!

VPI

Luxman

Technics

Palmer and SME

Don’t let the “heavier is better” marketing get you.  
the turntable is a great table. 

+1

@helomech  just an FYI Palmer turntables are no longer in production. Jon Palmer, the founder of Palmer Audio, ceased operations due to personal reasons. I'm sure you can still buy used Palmer tables which should be a good buy. 

For Posterity

https://youtu.be/0qWVWnxVJsU

Although I respect all opinions, I cant believe so many of you are suggesting older direct drive models. They really were pretty bad with lousy tonearms. To do direct drive properly is very expensive. 

Although I respect all opinions, I cant believe so many of you are suggesting older direct drive models....

Maybe cause were in the amp-pre topic? 

Rega is cutting edge lightweight design is known to be fast and nimble, but can be light for some in bass weight.

Mass loaded turntables are known for ample bass weight like VPI which would be a solid choice.

This Pure Fidelity Harmony turntable review also has reviews for other 10k turntables in the “Conclusion” section  

Maybe like the UltraDeck, but the MoFi MasterDeck might also be high performance/price.