What are your top 3 favorite turntable companies (manufacturer) and why?

It seems no worse than what people pay for stuff on a Linn LP12 (like $10k+ for their new plinth).

@dwette No doubt, the high parts prices seem endemic to this hobby. Sorry for the belly-aching! I do still love my Master Innovation, 8 years into ownership. The "stock" armboards are indeed around $500; $900 was for a blank with a custom hole. Later, I figured out I could just use the hole in a Graham Phantom board lol. 

I thought owning VPI tables would be better on this front, being domestic - but nope, not really much better (though shipping is super fast!). And they didn’t have what it takes to knock off my Innovation. At least Clearaudio has the import excuse for prices!

Plus, I've gotten great support over the years from Musical Surroundings. I am getting both my Universal 12" arms rewired. They have to go back to Germany for that, for est. 6-8 weeks. Musical Surroundings sent me one of their demo arms, first to try out with the rewire I'm getting, but also to loan me while mine are gone. I suppose it helps they know I am considering a Master upgrade, but I'm sure that doesn't happen often around the different brands.

@rsf507

1. Kusma

2. Kusma

3. Kusma

You may not have correctly read the OPs original question….or perhaps (and l apologise in advance if you do)… have a stutter. ?

Plus, I've gotten great support over the years from Musical Surroundings. I am getting both my Universal 12" arms rewired.

Agree - Musical Surroundings' service & support has been fantastic. Great distributor. NO complaints there :) 

I suspect they dropped Graham because they were tired of covering for him!

Market for turntables is not tiny at all. In the US maybe limited but in other regions every household has a turntable, well, not every but many. What is audiophile here is common there in terms of analogue playback. And it is analogue not analog.

It is British, accept it.