The Best Turntable for $1300 or less

VPI Scout used for less than $1300.Consonance also makes a very nice table that comes with an RB-250 arm and is very affordable.I'm not sure of the model or price,but I heard it at Quest For Sound.

You can find a used Linn LP12 with Ittok arm used on Agon within your pricerange.

This review of the Rega P5 impresses, as does the turntable.

Only the gullible would be impressed. There are NO measurements, much less specifications. Very unprofessional.

Look at the so called 'technical specifications':

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Two-speed belt-drive turntables with AC synchronous motor, pivoted tonearm with one-piece, cast-aluminum armtube, and glass (Planar 5) or ceramic (Planar 7) record platter. Wow and flutter: unspecified. Speed accuracy: unspecified. Rumble: unspecified, but probably pretty low (Planar 5) and really low (Planar 7). RB700 tonearm: 222.8mm spindle-to-pivot distance, 240mm effective length, spring-actuated downforce, sliding-magnet antiskating system.

But, it's rubber band powered, so it must be good...

***

IMNSHO a used VPI Scout/JMW9 in the $1K range is IMPOSSIBLE to beat. I've owned VERY expensive TT setups and the basic Scout compares quite well. Improvements past this point are incremental and expensive. It works quite well for me. Put it on a good isolation platform (mine is homemade) and be happy.

jmoog
the word giant killer is a strange kind of word
what giant are you trying to kill?
music genre will have more impact than any other consideration.
a turntable arm combo that is great with rock music may not fare so well with classical or vice versa
other than that a used oracle delphi mk11 [dc motor]and graham 1.5 should just fit in that budget
i really regret parting with my old oracle
all the best
terry