Yesterday the NAD PP-2 arrived from Alvaro, my prize from the ST New Year's Giveaway. The problem now is that I find myself in need of a turntable and some vinyl!!! I have always been a cassette and CD guy, and my "audiophile" days have definitely been dominated by CDs.

I have basically zero knowledge when it comes to turntables, tonearms, and cartridges. Given that all three of my preamps include a phono section, the NAD gives me a fourth option for connecting a turntable (hmmm... I detect yet another component shootout in the future). So I have plenty of options now in that reagrd. My question to my fellow STers is this...

Given a budget of $300... what would you buy? What about $500? (It looks like this PP-2 is going to turn out to be the most expensive "free" thing I have ever received.)

Any input appreciated.

Rob

dont look back, you are stepping into another realm. vinyl is a different sound, one that i cant imagine anyone not enjoying. for an entry level tt at a retail price, you cant go wrong with Pro-ject Basic or Debut. you can always maximize your $$ by going the used route, but i will have to defer to others here who are more experienced than i in this area. dont overlook the media, not all vinyl is the same, you find the right pressing and its pure magic!

music hall has some pretty good TTs in your price range also the cartridge is all ready set up so you have very little to do. i found this site for lps. www.elusivedisc.com

I'd let you borrow my Yorx, but I'm afraid it might get damaged in shipment.

Besides, I don't know what clint e would say if you plugged it into his modded Nad.....

You can never go wrong with a Thorens, and be well within your prescribed budget. Not quite on par with Larry's beloved Yorx, but still good tables.

Jim

I´ll second Dingus. The Projects are really good value for money if you want a new deck.

On the used market you´re bound to get yourself a better TT still for the same, or even less money. Make sure the seller packs it real well, or preferably try and find yourself a local one.

Dual and Thorens come to mind. I´m very biased towards Thorens, myself.

Check these out:

Thorens TD-145
Thorens TD-160
Dual CS-5000 Member Emaidel has only good things to say abou this one.
Dual CS-704

Boy, I'm really glad you receive it safely.
Now, there's a brave new world towards you...

The "Vinyl Boys" have spoken...i've nothing to add. I concur entirely.

...and Larry, someday.....................................................we must meet and take a beer, or two...

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Now I have some direction to help me focus my search. Perhaps I will also stop in and visit the guys at Audio Atlanta, as they are a dealer for a few of those brands.

Another budget TT alternative comes from Rega:

The Rega P1, P2, P3 are also very good.

http://www.rega.co.uk/html/p1.htm

Indeed, but I believe the cost of a new P3 in the USA is beyond Rob´s budget.

IMO only Pro-Ject debut can beat in terms of quality vs. price the Rega P1 which came, like the Pro-Ject, also with an Ortofon OM5e moving magnet cartridge.

For entry levels TT's they are excelent.

Here's a Stereophile review Rega P1:

http://www.stereophile.com/turntables/507rega/