I disagree, dime up for a VPI Scout, they are a huge jump up from the Rega sound-wise and they sell quickly used if you decide to upgrade. Setup is a bit more difficult on the VPI but this is a non-issue now that Fremer has a DVD telling you how to do it with this table. Also I have had great luck with the graham slee phono preamp with my scout. I had an MMF-5 as my first real table and the Rega was very similar in sound when I demoed them, and the Scout demolishes it.
please help with new purchase
My home is very modern...hard woods, Floor to ceiling glass windows(11 ft), and lots of natural stone. In short, very bright sound. I like great sound but i don't like stacks of equipment. As well I live in a resort town which is a 6 hour drive to the nearest hi end audio dealer so I don't have the luxury going back and forth from dealers trying out turntables. My budget is $2500. I have a McIntosh integrated amp with phono inputs. my question is.....should I just go out and by a Rega P3 for $600 and be done with it for a year or so to see if I really like the vinyl sound? Or have you found that really thats a waste of time and money because I will just want to upgrade to a better unit shortly after. In short, I am trying to get a sense of whether or not the addition of a tuntable can be a simple process.....or will I be creating a monster (wanting to start tweaking and buying complement products).