Help for a vinyl novice

The LP12 is a great TT. They are not hard to rebuild, and can always be upgraded. You need to be patient to get one at a good price. I sold one for 4500.00 a second for 3500.00 and have a 3rd one that I got for a steal. Before I got the 3rd one I had a Rega RP3 with the 303 arm. At first I thought I'd never miss the Sondek LP12, but after a few albums, I realized what a cheap piece of junk they are, especially the plinth. Easy to set up, so so sound, but not worth more than 100.00 bucks to me. Yes, I did get the deck and Ittock LVII with in your price range and it sounds as good as the more expensive Linns I had. Best of luck.

1. Technics 1200, swap arm for rega arm. A friend of mine swapped out the arm wand for Carbon fibre rod, this may not be practical for everyone and it took a lot of work but I with his rewire and tone arm I can confidently say it is the best 1200 I have ever heard.

2.VPI HW 19, many different models to chose from usually with an audioquest/Jelco arm on it. Very nice deck

3. If you are feeling cheap, vintage Thorens. But I have to say you are giving up a lot taking this route over the other 2 options. It comes with arm, and the deck has a very nice triangle suspension to it.

NOTE: As for the cart, it is hard to say without knowing if you want to go MC or MM. There is always High output MC also, which might be good if you are on a budget or want to avoid a step up device. I will not stir the discussion regarding which option is best, however you might want to look at the Benz Gliders, new or used in whatever configuration you like best. I think they will probably provide the best quality and technology if on a budget. I do not know of anyone putting together a hand made swiss product, with a micro contact diamond and boron cantilever at prices anywhere close to the cost of a benz new or used.

Well I hope that helps.

Wow Polk432!!!

Calling the RP3 a "cheap piece of junk not worth more than $100.00" is a little radical, don't you think?

In it's defense, the Rega RP3 may well be the most significant audio product of the decade. The RP3 has been designed and engineered to achieve outstanding performance way beyond the expectations of a product at this price point.

Most importantly, Rega concentrate the manufacturing costs on the high quality parts necessary to reproduce records accurately (double brace technology, 24V motor, RB303 tonearm, etc) and not on "looks".

The so called "piece of junk light plinth" is purposely and cleverly design to prevent energy absorption and unwanted resonances which will add unnatural distortions to the music. Sit this table on a sand box and completely eliminate unwanted vibrations from the 24V motor by locking it precisely with the Rega TT-PSU and you will have a dead quiet table capable of producing eeire black backgrounds with the right cart.

All TTs have strong and weak points. In the end, it all boils down to synergy and taste. I can happily say that my modified Rega RP3 "sings" better than any other TT I've ever owned and that I dont miss my rather expensive Linn LP12 set up.....at all.

Happy listening!