help choosing a turn table

I just received this message! This REGA looks like it should fit the bill!

: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cQPIHh8tVc

What a bargain! The Rega Planar 3 50th Anniversary turntable is a remarkable combination of a Rega Planar 3 with walnut wood finish, add the NEO power supply, add the Reference Belt, and add the Rega Exact phono cartridge all in one package. At only $1695, it’s a bargain and a swift seller. These are only available until December 31st and until stock runs out. There are not many left so if you are interested, it’s better to grab one sooner than later! Order here: https://generubinaudio.com/shop/ols/products/rega-planar-3-50th-anniversary-turntable-great-price

I might suggest checking out some semi-auto or auto lift turntables. I have read very good reviews of the new Technics 1500c. I would suggest, however, replacing either the included Ortofon 2M Red with a better cartridge or buy a stylus upgrade such as the 2M Bronze and up. That would put you somewhere between $1500 and $2000. Nothing against Regas, just really don't like manual TT's anymore due to age and laziness.

@ motown-l

The Technics 100c is the same as the Technics 1500c without the built in phono stage. And it is a few hundred dollars less!!

https://us.technics.com/products/direct-drive-turntable-sl-100c

I would never recommend a used table for a newbie. You will have questions and you will need dealer support. I second the recommendation to buy from Gene Rubin.  He is great to deal with and will get back to you within the hour with any questions. He is also very fair if you want to trade in your equipment to upgrade. 

Both you and your wife are ’newbies’ to vinyl.

considering that many try and do not stick with vinyl, I recommend a more modest start. If you get hooked, then move up after you have learned more and researched more.

keep or sell the ’starter’ TT.

This is my recommended ’starter’ TT. Get it level, plug it in, play! I had one for years, then 'moved up', gave the AT120 to a friend.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120XBT-USB-BK-Wireless-Direct-Drive-Turntable/dp/B089T77WK2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?hvadid=177177257708&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9003512&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15945738807677775323&hvtargid=kwd-21681376952&hydadcr=20167_9665940&keywords=audio+technica+at+lp120+usb&qid=1700229271&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

It comes with a cartridge body (VM95) that allows easy upgrading of the stylus tip.

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/line-series/at-vm95-series

with several ’good, better, best’ interchangeable stylus options. Simply pull the existing stylus out, push the alternate stylus in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCva9sgRP3E

It comes with an ’elliptical’ stylus shape.

After a short time, IF you like it, then I recommend you change the stylus to this one:

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at-vm95ml

the difference is: the stylus tip is Microlinear which will have more contact surface with the grooves, and last longer than other shapes.

read about stylus shapes here to get the general idea (scroll down to the diagrams):

https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/stylus-shape-information

final point: cartridges have to be critically aligned. the factory does that to the AT120/VM95 combo before shipping. When changing only the stylus, the VM95 body does not need to be re-aligned, the new stylus simply pushes into the aligned cartridge body.

Best of luck with Vinyl Nirvana!