The question is in the title, I'm looking for a good budget turntable, the Pro-Ject Carbon looks quite well received and is in my less than 500 dollar budget for this piece.

Let me know what you have, what you suggest, or even if you dislike turntables in general... my main reason for wanting one is the fact that my family had one when I was a kid and I really enjoy listening to those old records from my childhood.

Tetrall,

Hopefully some of our knowledgable members with first hand experience will chime in but I have also been looking into vinyl. The Pro-Ject turntables are highly regarded. I have narrowed my search down to Rega, Music Hall, Pro-Ject, or VPI. I have spent most of my time looking in to $1,000 to $1,500 range and am leaning towards Rega. Marantz has had some solid reviews on their budget turntable as well. Music Direct frequently has clearance sales on demo products that may allow you to stay under $500 with a higher end model.

Sorry if this isn't definitive or first hand, but I thought I would share what I have discovered in my research since nobody else has responded yet. Based on your current set-up, you'll likely make this purchase before me. Please let me know what you go with and how it works out. Good luck and happy hunting!

Cheers,

T Cobe

2013 TAS EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS: TURNTABLES UNDER $2000
Equipment report
by TAS Staff | May 03rd, 2013
Categories: Turntables

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon
$399
sumikoaudio.net
The most significant upgrade to Pro-Ject’s latest Debut is found in the model’s name, which refers to the lighter, more rigid, single-piece 8.6" carbon-fiber arm tube that replaces the Debut III’s aluminum tube. Pre-mounted with Ortofon’s 2M Red moving-magnet cartridge, the Carbon offers all one expects from a modestly priced ’table. It doesn’t excel in any one area but gets the basics so right that it’s hard to criticize what’s lacking.

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon

Rega RP1
$445
soundorg.com
Rega’s entry-level ’table today sells for roughly the same price it did some 20 years ago, meaning that Rega’s commitment to value remains paramount. The P1 uses the classic Rega motor, drive system, and main bearing, but instead of a glass platter this one is made of MDF. The ’arm is the new RB101, which comes pre-mounted with Ortofon’s OM5e movingmagnet cartridge. You won’t get much frequency extension or wide dynamics here, but what you do get are the pace, musical interplay, and involvement that make analog special.

Rega RP1

Pro-Ject Xpression III
$699
sumikoaudio.net
The Xpression III features an acrylic platter, machined cone feet, a carbonfiber arm tube, and other refinements rare at this price. Supplied with Sumiko’s excellent Oyster cartridge, the Xpression III has excellent clarity, smoothness, and a wide and deep soundstage.

Pro-Ject Xpression III

Rega RP3
$895
soundorg.com
With a phenolic-resin “double brace” creating a “stressed beam” between the main-bearing hub and tonearm mount, Rega’s RP3 is a significant step forward. Thanks to a phenolic-resin skin and upgraded particulate core-material, the plinth is also lighter than its predecessor, while the RB303 arm features a newly designed tube said to increase rigidity at the bearing housing, arm carrier, and headshell mount. The result is deeper bass, lower noise, more dynamic pop, increased detail, and improved staging. Things get better yet with the optional TT PSU power supply ($375).

Rega RP3

Pro-Ject RM-5 SE/Sumiko Blue Point No. 2
$999
sumikoaudio.net
Easy to assemble, Pro-Ject’s RM-5 SE features a teardrop-shaped, black-lacquered MDF plinth, a suspended motor assembly, a stainless-steel and Teflon bearing, and a 9" carbon-fiber arm. Supplied with Sumiko’s Blue Point 2 cartridge, the RM-5 SE is musically involving, with a warm balance, stunning rhythmic incisiveness, fine dynamic shading, good detail, and natural depth.

Pro-Ject RM-5 SE/Sumiko Blue Point No. 2

Clearaudio Concept
$1400 ($1500 with Concept mm cartridge; $2000 with Concept mc cartridge)
musicalsurroundings.com
The Clearaudio Concept turntable package does everything but unbox itself. Preset at the factory, this spinner features a svelte belt-drive chassis, a stunning friction-free, magnetic-bearing Verify tonearm, and the Concept moving-magnet cartridge. The build and finish of this German-made ’table are superior. For sheer musical engagement and superb speed stability, it’s the one to beat in this price range.

Clearaudio Concept

Rega RP6
$1495–$1990
soundorg.com
Rega’s RP6 offers the same phenolic-resin “double brace” found in the RP3, the same RB303 arm, and a whole lot more. Replacing Rega’s traditional glass platter/felt mat is a two-piece, 16mm-thick flywheel/platter made of two joined pieces of float glass. Moreover, the RP6 comes standard with the TT PSU power supply, a must for top performance. Note the large improvements in dynamic nuance and explosiveness, tonal and textural detail, size and depth of stage, and sheer musicality. Reviewed with Exact 2 cartridge at $1990.

Rega RP6

SOTA Comet S301
$1545 with Dynavector 10x5 cartridge ($1150 without)
sotaturntables.com
SOTA uses internal damping to isolate the Comet from vibration; the bearing cup is made from a Teflon-impregnated selflubricating polymer; the platter assembly consists of a high-density polymer main platter sitting atop a polymer-based subplatter driven by a 24-pole AC synchronous motor. The result is an easy authoritative presentation that’s warm, rich, and solid, with wide nuanced dynamics and a large 3-D soundfield.

SOTA Comet S301

VPI Aries Scout w/JMW-9
$1850
vpiindustries.com
If you want to experience a huge taste of analog heaven without the hellish price tag, the VPI Aries Scout deserves your attention. This simple, affordable ’table uses an inverted bearing with a Teflon thrust plate and a scaled-down version of the JMW unipivot arm to create an exceptionally quiet background and high signal-to-noise ratio. Music leaps out of silence into the room.

VPI Aries Scout

Pro-Ject RM-9.2
$1999 ($2299 with Sumiko Blue Point Special EVO III & Connect-it Tonearm Cable)
sumikoaudio.net
The RM-9.2 (auditioned with Sumiko Pearwood Celebration II cartridge) is remarkable in ways that will appeal to both the music lover and the audiophile. Notably easy and relaxed, it is also rhythmically incisive and dynamically explosive. The ’table comes with Pro-Ject’s 9" EVO carbon-fiber arm, and is also available as a standalone unit or—at a combined discounted price—with Sumiko cartridges.

















Thanks, Anthem. Any personal preference?

Cheers,

T Cobe

The last turntable I owned was an Bang & Olufsen Beogram 3404
If I were shopping again, here are some that peak my interest :

1.) Pro-Ject Debut Carbon - $399
2.) Pro-Ject Xpression III - $699
3.) Rega RPl - $445
4.) Rega RP6 - $1495

Thank you very much Anthem!! Great, concise reviews!

Now if you moved up in price to $2-4k range what would you look at? - or do you get that much more for 2-4 times the cost? Specifically, I have been looking at the Rega 6/8 - VPI (altho I hear they have had some QC issues in the last 6 months) - others?

And now on subject of TT what about the phono amp? Thoughts?