Low-Profile Turntable

There's a used B&O Beogram for sale here for a very inexpensive price. That should fit your need.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1251070655

It doesn't have to be a slim profile turntable like a B&O. Even a Technics SL12x0 is under 7", so I'd think that any turntable without a Herculean-sized plinth and suspension system would fit.

For example, the Clearaudio Performance CMB Turntable w/ Satisfy Carbon Tonearm is right in your budget range and is 5.1" high.

Agaccio,

Is your 7" height requirement only considering the non-use position? I wonder because placing a record on the platter needs some vertical space even without a dust cover. Additionally, many TT's dust covers (eg. Dual and Technics) are hinged so require more height for use than the static dimension.

It's hard to understand your height limitation without a pic. Would the TT sit on a slide out drawer/shelf?

cheers, ed

The 7" height restriction (including dust cover) would be when not in use. Once the dust cover removed, I would have a total of 9" which should provide enough clearance for placing an LP on the turntable provided the turntable platter is low.

So far, for my budget and height restrictions, I leaning towards the following possibilities:
- Rega P3-24
- Rega P5
- Clearaudio Emotion
- Clearaudio Performance
- VPI Scout

06-28-09: Agiaccio
The 7" height restriction (including dust cover) would be when not in use. Once the dust cover removed, I would have a total of 9"...

9 - 7 = 2

Is 2" enough clearance to remove the dustcover without banging the tonearm? I doubt it.