Turntable suggestions for a newbie

I own the Clearaudio  performance DC and I have enjoyed it very much. I’m no expert but it sounds like the deal you have been offered isn’tpretty good if what he has is truly in mint condition and that’s a big if. I’ve also owned Rega which I think delivers a lot of performance for the money.

Honestly, I think you would be pleased with the clearaudio but that’s also true of the others on your list. Make sure the cartridge produces the sound you like, it’s every bit as important as the table in my view. 
 

It sounds as if you have  thought this through and I think you will really enjoy the vinyl experience. As others have said it’s a lot more work than streaming. Most of my listening is streaming because of the convenience but when I have time for an extended session, I still find that nothing is like vinyl. To my ears, well press vinyl is still better than streaming. And I think I have a pretty good digital set up. It is subjective, however, and some disagree. What sounds better to me may not at all be the case for you and I would take those who “know”what you will like with a big grain of salt

I agree with you that owning physical media is a kick. It takes time and money to build a vinyl collection But it seems that you have thought that through and I wouldn’t be too discouraged by those who are not attracted by its charms, We all like something different.. In fact, one of the great enjoyments to me is finding a good used record store and combing through a lot of old junk to run across a vintage pressing in great condition.

good luck. I think you’ve got a lot of great advice here but in the end go with your gut. Folks tend to recommend what they have chosen because it’s what they know, and I suspect it also validates our own decisions in someway. I would be a little wary of those who say this is what I bought so that means it will absolutely be the best for you, something we all tend to do.

this is a very Subjective hobby. There might be an extremely well built machine or cartridge that I love, but it may not produce the sound that is pleasing to you. There is no better guide than your own ears

enjoy

Well said Kerrybh 

Thank you 

Of the three turntables in the initial post, two are modern art without a practical dustcover. I've tried that route, and have found that I prefer to have a dustcover from the factory as a part of the table itself.

There are large plexiglass covers available in the aftermarket, but they require additional space, and a spot to place that cover when you want access.

Good point

Yeah, go with the Vpi... If nothing else, it will hold its value a little better. I have a Michell, actually the '23 Transcriptors with the Onyx arm. The lift off dust cover (which I prefer... Lower the attached lid when playing; a raised cover is a noise and distortion antennae) was easier to find than a drive belt. The Vpi is a more well known product with a bigger aftermarket. The only thing I would suggest is staying away from the Uni Pivot arms on a first TT., and factory support from Vpi is at hand. As to cartridge start out with a MM like Ortofon M2 series, Black or Bronze, or another high quality unit...Clear Audio, maybe. I recently purchased a second hand "upgraded" (many MM can move up with a stylus upgrade) Nagaoka, which has proven to be impressive. And since I've been disposing the disposable income on these things for 50 years I have a nice collection of Shure V15's (The real money goes to JICO), Most MM carts utilize a replaceable stylus. Which, in a way, becomes something like tube rolling. and it's set up set up set up.