Beer Budget Entry Level Turntable?

[MylesBAstor]

For your son or daughter for college or someone wanting to either get started in or return to analog.

Let/ say a budget of approximately $1000 for table, arm and cartridge not including tax. What say you all?

Rega?
Project?
VPI?
Music-Hall?
Other suggestions?

I like the VPI Nomad for its sound and if for nothing, it comes with a built in phono section/headphone amplifier. That makes the table a perfect match for a receiver or integrated amplifier for a dorm room!

[Guest]

I heard about the Nomad. Seems like a nice one piece solution from a company who knows what they're doing. Hopefully the electronics are up to snuff.

[Billy Shears]

Build quality; its got to be Pro-ject all day long (its ridiculous what 400$ buys you nowdays) although I have to say when it comes to sonics, Rega may have a foot in the door too. Nothing against VPI but its just in a different Price category and with the buyers of these Turntables 400$ to 1000$ makes a huge difference. For all time best price performance ratio in that enry level category, goes to the clearaudio concept turntable (1200euro) again for build quality and sonics

[Rob]

sony demo'd at the Newport shown a few years back with a clearaudio concept in system including their top of the range SS AR1 speakers and Pass electronics. All things considered the SQ was great considering the cost of the source, I didn't feel like the system was being held back either.

[Johnny Vinyl]

I'd have to say Pro-ject as well and there are several models to choose from.
I couldn't recommend the Rega, despite a good rep, but they don't play nice with Grado cartridges.
No experience with VPI, but I don't like the fact a number of their tables use VINYL to finish off their plinths.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

I ran a Grado GTE+1 in a Rega Planer 2 years ago (with a Grace 707 arm) and had no issues with hum. Maybe I just got lucky? Otherwise I would use a Rega, Ortofon or a Denon 103 in a new Rega RP1 or RP3.

[A/V Solutions]

Thorens, Pro-ject for under 1K....for a smidge more Clearaudio Concept, Nottingham Interspace Jr. and VPI Scout Jr.

[MylesBAstor]

Thorens, Pro-ject for under 1K....for a smidge more Clearaudio Concept, Nottingham Interspace Jr. and VPI Scout Jr.

Jeff how are the new Thorens? They have pique my interest but is it true they are not building the tables?

[MylesBAstor]

Build quality; its got to be Pro-ject all day long (its ridiculous what 400$ buys you nowdays) although I have to say when it comes to sonics, Rega may have a foot in the door too. Nothing against VPI but its just in a different Price category and with the buyers of these Turntables 400$ to 1000$ makes a huge difference. For all time best price performance ratio in that enry level category, goes to the clearaudio concept turntable (1200euro) again for build quality and sonics

All excellent points!

[MylesBAstor]

The Music-Hall tables have always impressed me with their sound and value for the money. I remember comparing in the mid-90s one of Roy's $300 or $400 tables to the then darling of the digital world-the $2000 Cal Audio player. There was no contest which was better sounding!

The Ortofon included with the Nomad is probably better sounding than any similarly priced cartridge we had back in analog's heyday!

[JCOConnell]

I'd have to say Pro-ject as well and there are several models to choose from.
I couldn't recommend the Rega, despite a good rep, but they don't play nice with Grado cartridges.
No experience with VPI, but I don't like the fact a number of their tables use VINYL to finish off their plinths.

VPI is not really competitive in the sub $1K range anyway, they really shine at $2K and up

[Johnny Vinyl]

Thorens, Pro-ject for under 1K....for a smidge more Clearaudio Concept, Nottingham Interspace Jr. and VPI Scout Jr.

I'd add the Marantz TT-15S1 to that list.

[A/V Solutions]

Jeff how are the new Thorens? They have pique my interest but is it true they are not building the tables?

The Thorens are nice affordable tables and certainly a good starting point.....unless things have changed there not building.

[A/V Solutions]

I'd add the Marantz TT-15S1 to that list.

AKA Clearaudio Emotion table

[Johnny Vinyl]

AKA Clearaudio Emotion table

I know!

[Steve Lefkowicz]

I'd love to see a version of the Nomad with no built in phono or headphone amps,at a lower price. Otherwise, I'd stick with Music Hall, Pro-Ject or Rega, depending on what the local dealer carries.

[Steve Lefkowicz]

I also think we need to be cognizant of the fact that people who aren't already knowledgeable audiophiles or record collectors would probably not view any turntables above $1000 as "beer budget." If you own a $30,000 table a $1,000 table might seem cute and cheap, but to someone looking to start out, even $500 seems extravagant. That's where things like the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon or Music Hall 2.2 come in. Great tables for the price.