I've been using a Linn Sondek for several years now. Although I haven't upgraded anything except the cartridge since I bought it, there are numerous upgrades that can be done to really improve the sound. Overall it's quite a versatile table.

Big thumbs up as well for the Rega tables though. They've always impressed me with their simplicity and stability. I have to take off the platter and put an adapter over the motor pulley to get 45rpm on my Linn. Not really convenient. But hey, once I come up with the $1000 I can buy the upgrade! Bloody hell.

Braden

Also, if your amp doesn't have a proper phono-stage, don't buy an overpriced one, just build one yourself!

http://www.hagtech.com/

Mr. Hagerman has an excellent low priced unit that will knock the socks a lot of units in the $300-$400 range. You also have the versatility of matching it up to the output of your cartridge closer than what's on an average amp.

Braden

Thanks for the good words, everybody. I am happy to report that an initial upgrade has been made for a grand total of $25 -- a friend sold me a Fisher receiver (circa 1979) and a pair of mid-sized Technics speakers. Far from an ideal setup, but after a year of listening to vinyl run thru my computer's soundcard and into my 2-watt (or whatever they are) desktop computer speakers, this upgrade sounds to my ears like I've completed the dream set-up. I imagine that a real upgrade will be that much sweeter. In the meantime, I shop around. Thanks again for your advice.

And now, a separate but related topic: CAT HAIR.

There are three cats that live here. Their hair is everywhere. It does not matter if I spend 4 hours a day dusting, swiffing, ion-izing, mopping, etc. It has started to affect my brand-shiny-heavy-and-new vinyl: little patterns of kitty hair sullying the pure grooves of my new copies of The Kinks' Arthur and on my just-purchased copy of The Blackened Air. What to do? What's the best method of dealing with such a thing, as well as the best method for routinely "cleaning" records?

Thankee,
Mr. King

Hello Vinyl enthusiasts,

My name is David and I am an audiophile....

I worked at a HiFi shop for a almost 2 years right before I came back to New York and started working at Electro-Harmonix. We were not a Well Tempered dealer... only a Music Hall dealer so I have tried and set-up all of their models. I hope my insight helps.

Currently I'm running a Well Tempered Turntable with a $100 AT cart (440 ml I think). I bought this used for $600 at the shop I worked at, I got it at 'used cost'. These 'tables run about $1000 - $1500 on the used market and a new one will run you $3500. They also make an entry level 'table called the Record Player at about $1500 new. I highly recommend Well Tempered as they will track any shitty or warped records, eliminating most surface noise and are the most musical and tonally accurate 'tables I have ever heard. It will be the LAST 'table I ever buy. the older the model the cheaper they are. The guys at Well Tempered Lab will sell parts and upgrades directly. Oh yeah and there are no parts that can wear out! http://www.welltemperedlab.com/

I sold my Rega Planar 3 because they run 1% too fast and it was driving me crazy. working at a hifi shop I had the opportunity for an even swap. I sold the Rega to a friend and they will be modifying the pulley to correct the speed. This is common amongst Rega 'Tables... even the new ones.

I originally had a Music Hall MMF 2. I had this for about 3 years and sold it to my best bud so I could get the Rega. he has been using it for about 4 years and it is now just starting to break down. It needs a new motor and bearing thrust plate. At $299 I would say this 'table doesn't owe us a dime.
A good starting point. I would say their $500 'table the MMF5 is a waste of time. once you've gone over the $500 hump you should be looking a a better brand.

other good 'tables I've liked:
Basis 1400
Progressive engineering "The Turntable"
and I actually love the old AR XA 'tables... they are fun and cheap. parts are a little hard to find though.

Good Luck,

Oh yeah, and the Hagerman Bugle is excellent.

I've been using one for 2 years now... and it kicks the ass of most high-end phono stages.

I tested it against the Grado the Creek and some built-in stages like Classe and Rotel.

www.hagtech.com