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What Budget turntable should I buy?

I'm just getting back into analog and would like to add a turntable. I have a NAD C350/540 combo running through Paradigm Mini-Monitors. I also hope to add a sub soon. I have $500-$600 budget. I also need to pick up a phono preamp. According to all the press - I am considering the following. NAD 533, Music Hall MMF-5 or even the MMF 2.1. For preamps the NAD PP-1, Creek OBH-8 or Parasound PPH-100. I listen mainly to Jazz with some classical. Any recommendations??
jpstereo5b35
chelillingworth
309 posts
 
I would go with the NAD turntable, which is built by Rega and comes with a cartridge. The Rega tonearm puts it a cut above the Music Hall. The Creek preamp is the way to go by far, much better than the other two. A friend has the NAD 533 and it always sounds great in his more expensive system with Jazz and Classical.
Have Fun
jond's avatar
jond
5,687 posts
 
Find a used Rega Planar 3 with a nice cartridge. It should fit easily within your price range and is as good or better than any of the tables you've listed there.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
There is -right now a VPI jr,RB300,and a phono cart./ and phono stage;for a great price, used ! This will be good enough till you spend 10Xs the $$ upgrading everything else.--Then you can upgrade THIS ! No it ain't mine-- but if it were; I love shameless plugs.

I have a similar setup.
blkadr
739 posts
 
I would recommend the Rotel RQ-970BX phono preamp. It will handle mm or mc, has excellent parts quality and sounds much better than it should for $200 list (a steal). Rega has always been good value and Project offers great table/arm/cartridge combos for the money.
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