I would really like a Kenwood L-07D, but would not pay what they are asking for them now.

Are you putting together a system? Or already have existing components you want to match up with?

Lots of good choices mentioned, I always liked the Oracle Delphi, but the rest of the system has to all be equivalent to get the most out of it, only as strong as the weakest link, and then the room is a big part of the equation.

I have a Technics turntable, and it works well. The best thing I ever dud was get a Dennon cartridge for it. It was made to work better on old records. Less hiss and pop.

It was worth every penny. Old cartridges can lose fidelity. After a certain point, all turntables work well. A good cartridge makes a decent turntable great.

Here's mine. Nothing fancy, not a head turner, just a basic direct drive full-auto tt. I spent some quality time aligning the cartridge, (Joe Grado Black, - Made in NY, United States of America!) and it's really all I need. If I was feeling fancy, I might research spindle weights, but hey, vinyl records are supposed to have character....

I wanted a PL530, but people who are offering those for sale seem to think they're just a little too awesome these days, so I'll stick with the Denon.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1560457208.jpg

Slightly off topic but the best analogue source is a reel to reel tape deck.

Prices can be eye watering but a good reel to reel can sound much better than the best turntable.

2019 PRICES for United Home Audio - Audiophile Tape Decks

The ULTIMA4 Tape Deck $24,500

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1561401823.jpg
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$24,500 is a lot of money for only a "good" source. ;)

Reel to reel is the best source there is and you can easily pay 6 figures for a great turntable.
And you can certainly get a much cheaper but still decent reel to reel.

The problem with Reel to reel is the pre-recorded tapes are very expensive. ($400 for an album)

I thought Oracle was always the pinnacle of turntables?

I know turntables can be absurdly expensive, but a $24K source unit is still way out of reach for the vast majority of people. And $400 per album, yikes!

And how many of us own reel to reel tape?
Sounds like a novelty for the extream Hobbyist, pretty much way off topic, and unaffordable for most people.

As long as this has switched to tape...there are decks that can rival reel to reel...or close enough for older ears.

Here's an article written about what was considered the best cassete deck back in the day. I sent my Nakamichi to Willy Herman, and was quite pleased at the service.
When we talked on the phone, he was impressed that I shipped the deck to him in it's original shipping box.

https://www.tonepublications.com/old-school/nakamichi-dragon/

Those getting back into analog might wish to add the above site to their favorites list.

I had a Nak 1000

Favorite thing to do with my reel to reel is record my vinyl onto them as mixed tapes......Until my reel to reel broke and the last guy willing to work on them around here moved into a nursing home

Shipping to a repair facility? No thanks.

My dad has about 6 machines all mint with my name on them. Someday I’ll get them but at this point I’m not even sure I want them

Also I have some of the best record shops in the world here. Last time I was in one I saw about 100,000 records for sale, new and used. Reel to reel tapes? None. Not even that easy to get good blank tape anymore

The mention of hard to find tape...glad I stockpiled a batch of Maxell CR02 90 minute cassettes some years back.

So back to turntables...direct drive for speed adjustment or belt drive to isolate the platter from the motor?

Belt drive hands down.

I have my eye on one of these:

https://www.thorens.com/images/produ...550-teaser.jpg

And currently own this:

https://clearaudio.de/_assets/_produ...t/front-02.jpg

I've always been a Thorens fan bought the first one in 74. I like the Clearaudio but it's like your first love.....

I have a Technics SL-Q300. For forty years it has performed flawlessly.

I think the Technics 1200 MK2 is certainly a contender for the best turntable of all time, but its not an audiophile unit. I have an MK5 and and M3D.

I would throw the Marantz 6300 out there and an excellent vintage option at a good price point. Beautiful machines.

https://images.reverb.com/image/uplo...1exlsaqth2.jpg

There's more to be said. I checked eBay; the Technics is outside his stated price range, even used. A nearby store may have it for less, but that is not guaranteed. On eBay, $400 and up with no cartridge; $500 and up with a cartridge. (Unless you're after a $260 turntable with no cartridge, a missing foot, and a broken cueing lever. What a bargain.)

In his price range, the Audio Technica LP-120 is an excellent direct drive option and will not require an external preamp. My boss has one at our office, and I use it at the monthly happy hour.

The Orbit appears to be a good belt drive option which will also come with a decent cartridge and an external preamp which also meets his budget.

Which turntable is better depends on several factors. rainscd, do you have any interest in vintage records, i.e., 78 RPM, or variable speeds? If so, a direct drive 3-speed turntable may be your best option at this price point. If not, the belt drive is probably a fine alternative.

Keep in mind, many OEM turntables are similar to the Audio Technica. For example, consider the Stanton T92USB

I use a Stanton ST-150, and I am very happy with it. It is possible to be a satisfied vinyl fan without a Technics.

My turntable is like my car, old and German.

Duel 601

It can play upside down (the arm has a coil spring for stylus pressure)!

It randomly plays at 2x speed!

It requires a unique head to hold cartridges!

So freaking German!

lasers do not touch the record but are super expensive

https://fromvinyltoplastic.com/optical-turntables-and-laser-cartridges-are-they-the-future/