Suspension. Do you need it?
My TT's live on a concrete floor sited on rock. Miles from the nearest highway. I don't need suspension, so I don't pay for it.
Like a Nottingham Analogue Dais TT. I have the previous model with the Dais bearing, and I upgraded to the latest motor/power supply combination (Wave Mechanic). For a tonearm I went to the air bearing TransFi Terminator (yeah, yeah, I didn't name it). Buy it in spite of its name. Both of these punch far above their weight, and within your budget.
I run this TT with either a Mayajima Zero mono or a good MM for casual listening. The combination will support a higher end Koetsu, but this normally sits on my DIY air bearing.
Don't be afraid to check out the smaller manufacturers, who sometimes give you a whole lot more for the money. Like NA. I suggest that you spend most on the TT (to eliminate bearing noise), then the tonearm (to get precise registration of cartridge to vinyl), and last on the cartridge, which is a depreciating asset.
Good luck!
My TT's live on a concrete floor sited on rock. Miles from the nearest highway. I don't need suspension, so I don't pay for it.
Like a Nottingham Analogue Dais TT. I have the previous model with the Dais bearing, and I upgraded to the latest motor/power supply combination (Wave Mechanic). For a tonearm I went to the air bearing TransFi Terminator (yeah, yeah, I didn't name it). Buy it in spite of its name. Both of these punch far above their weight, and within your budget.
I run this TT with either a Mayajima Zero mono or a good MM for casual listening. The combination will support a higher end Koetsu, but this normally sits on my DIY air bearing.
Don't be afraid to check out the smaller manufacturers, who sometimes give you a whole lot more for the money. Like NA. I suggest that you spend most on the TT (to eliminate bearing noise), then the tonearm (to get precise registration of cartridge to vinyl), and last on the cartridge, which is a depreciating asset.
Good luck!