Turntable Recommendations please.

The VPI Aries and a Benz cartridge are the best choice. I owned a Linn lp12 and constant problems with set-up and vibration. Which ever you decide on make sure its on a rock solid base

Since you say you don't have much experience with turntables, then at all costs avoid any suspended designs (Linn, Roksan and others). They're capable of superb sound, but they are relatively difficult to set up and maintain. Suspension designs are also more finicky about what stand you place them upon. Recommend you consider Rega, Well Tempered (get one w/ the Black Platter and the redesigned tonearm) or VPI Aries. BUY THE CARTRIDGE NEW - HAVE DEALER INSTALL. A real good dealer should also do a follow-up visit 60-90 days later to readjust.

its nice to have a budget like that. the rega planar 3 is a bargain, great place to start, leaves room for good electrinics for stepup. forget the AT440ML, too hifi, the AT-OC9 at $200 from audio advisor is a bargain, used to retail for 700. the lehman stepup is not bad for the $. there are lots of opinions out there, spending someone elses dough is easy isnt it. for serious bux, the basis tables are good merch. i say start wiht the rotel,oc9,lehman combo and learn. it couldnt hoit!

Carl, sometime you amaze me. I didn't know you knew about the Phonomena, much less heard it. I did the pictures of it that are currently being used. By the way, you are right about the sound of same. Pretty amazing for the VERY low price. I do think its a long way from the Aesthetix and even the Counterpoint SA9 (long discontinued), and probably not quite as good as the current Lukaschek PP-1 revised. But, again, less money than any of the others mentioned, and the buyer of the Phonomena gets new merchandise and a warranty!

A friend of mine is best buds with Mike Yee. SO WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BOB CLARKE at MS? You're a photographer? My parents are aerial photographers.