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Need help: turntable market in the $1500-$2000 range is overwhelming

I’m looking for a new turntable. Had a Dual 1229 years ago but it broke and I got out of vinyl and all that. Got a crappy Audio-Technica around the holidays last year because I thought I’d digitize my records but I don’t feel like doing that anymore and it’s a fiddly turntable that doesn’t sound great. I’m giving myself $1500-$2000 to jump in with the expectation of buying something that’ll keep me happy for a few years.

Sorry, but no Technics tables please!!!! Black or silver. They all look like my crappy Audio-Technica and I’m going to be shallow and say looks matter and that I’m agnostic at best about direct drive. Yeah, I’m dumb.

So in the price range I’ve established I’ve looked at and found interesting offerings from:

—SOTA
—Rega
—Pro-Ject
—Music Hall
—Clearaudio
—Marantz

And what feels like a zillion others.

So how the hell do I choose in a market flooded with tables in my price range? 

Oh, and sure, tell me how stupid I am for not wanting a Technics like I keep seeing recommended on the forum, but I’m not going to buy one so please help me with another offering if you can!!!

And I’d prefer to buy new so I can work with a dealer or manufacturer if there are any issues.....
larshepping

Showing 4 responses by lewm

lewm
13,515 posts
 
Depends very much on who did the refurbishing.  Can be very expensive.  On a budget, maybe it's best to start with an original unit and upgrade it according to that budget.
lewm
13,515 posts
 
Yeah.  Some direct-drive turntables are better than others.  Just kidding, Russ. I really do agree with you. 
lewm
13,515 posts
 
The OP wrote, "I’m agnostic at best about direct drive. Yeah, I’m dumb."You might have a point that this statement does not entirely rule out DD. My own point is that if someone wants to buy one of those cookie-cutter belt-drives, I let them.  As you know, I also have my reservations about your regular practice of recommending vintage DD's to a neophyte vinylista. But I know your heart is in the right place.
lewm
13,515 posts
 
You explicitly said you are not interested in a direct-drive turntable, and yet at least 3 of us recommended direct drive.  I won't add to the list, but I will say that among the belt-drive turntables you did list as options there is not much difference.  My personal bias is that Clearaudio usually exacts a premium in cost, based on the brand name and its association with much higher priced models.  So maybe eliminate Clearaudio just on that basis. That still leaves a long list.  None of them is going to be "bad".
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