Best Budget Turntable < $500.

[02audionoob]

I dare not ask this, but the fact that Pro-jects are made in Europe does bring the obvious other question to the fore: any decent TTs coming from the Far East at these price points?

Denon DP-300F and Technics SL-1200 are all that come to mind.

[nightflier]

Hmmm, I find it hard to believe that so little worthy of mention is being manufactured in China. They certainly have a taste for tubes, but not analog, it seems.

[02audionoob]

There's the Opera Consonance LP6.1, for those not so interested in the sub-$500 range.

[nightflier]

Wow that's an interesting looking Chinese-sourced table for $1K-ish:

[JoeE SP9]

Check Grant Fidelity. $1000 USD. Does not include cartridge.

[scrivens]

The project GENIE 3 represents a lot of bang for your buck

[nightflier]

I am very tempted. Has anyone here heard it yet?

[RGA]

I would be inclined to recommend the SystemDek IIX (~$250Used) and then add a Rega 250 arm and have someone rewire it (with silver), and get an Audio Note acrylic platter. That would basically get you ver close to an AN TT1/Arm1 and the arm can house many cartridges. The TT1/Arm 1/IQ 1 goes now for about $1,700 and you can pretty much get the same thing for $600 going with SystemDek and arm and decent cart. You won't get the upgraded motor however.

http://www.audionote.co.uk/articles/...003_an_tt1.pdf

This article discusses the Systemdek (before my time) but they come up. And with AN taking it over you can still get parts and upgrades like two motors. They have also just released an external 2 motor system for it which also changes the speed selection. however it is costly. http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazin...udiophile4.htm

I had the NAD 533 which is a Rega P2 - The TT1 is far better - not close.

Just to add - reading the enjoythemusic review it seems that Systemdek was already using the Rega arms and had a similar platter - so you would not have to buy those separately - in which case you could probably find one for about $250 and only have to add a cart. However with suspended designs you need to have non bouncy floors - and if you do you have to find a way to isolate the table. Whatever you do try and get a good audition - DO NOT buy without hearing them first because while some tables look cool and cost a lot that doesn't mean they're very good. People too often buy with their eyes.

[jvc]

I'd keep an eye on Craig's List. You might be able to buy a much nicer TT used, than the price of a new one. I've seen some really nice Thorens on CL for around $350 - $400, everything included. With the economy like it is, some people are selling some good stuff, at good prices.
Good luck!

[devuonoste]

I just want to thank everyone for all of their input. I will certainly be taking all this info into consideration when I purchase.

[scrivens]

Pro-Ject is bringing its RPM1.3 to the US in March. Apparently it's been a popular table in Europe. Comes in black, red and white. Price will be $499. I'm interested in reading what the audio press has to say about it.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject...7&category=947

Not too long ago musiciansfriend.com carried the Technics SL-1210 Mk II for around $450. I picked up one for $389 during a sale. Haven't seen it on their site lately but it's one worth looking around for.

Project seem to be leading the market for budget turn-tables here in Britain....a good starter range the genie-3 then upgrade the cartridge...up to the more mid-fi models

I like them