Hi, jaydough76,
I have a different take on starting out. I would consider buying the best entry-level turntable you can find for $300 or less and then buy a cartridge that stretches your $700 total budget. Here’s why...
Lately I’ve been listening to my trusty Music Hall mmf-2.1, which cost me $285 in 2005 and is considered a toy compared to today’s $300 ’tables, yet I’m still impressed at how good it sounds with a decent cartridge and phono stage. Nothing fancy but respectable; in my case a Goldring 1012GX ($275 in 2005) and Jolida JD9 ($450 in 2006).
So if you got yourself a moving magnet (MM) cartridge from Audio-Technica, Clearaudio, Ortofon, Goldring, or Sumiko in the $350 to $450 price range you’d have a fine sounding vinyl setup.
You won’t lose as much money if you decide you want to step up into the next major class of turntables (which is what I did when I bought my mmf-7) and you’ll have a better idea of what’s most important to you when it comes to a turntable and tonearm. Plus, the cartridge you buy now will compliment a more refined ’table if you decide to upgrade.
Right now is a good time to be buying a turntable. Rega, Pro-Ject, and Music Hall are all discontinuing perfectly fine entry-level ’tables so you can easily find something on sale for $300 or less.
Just a few alternatives to consider.
Regards,
Tom