best turntable under $5k

"It's interesting that just about all the tables mentioned have been beaten by a modded Lenco idler drive, at least according their original owners."

Some have been beaten. Some others, the Lenco is perhaps as good as these. So in these latter cases the Lenco may get the nod based on nothing else but price, which is a very powerful reason to stay with the modded Lenco.

I have not gotten really serious about a Lenco plinth but I have set one up in a temporary plywood base and an RB 250, fully modified, from Brit Audio. The Lenco does sound really good, but I still preferred the Basis 2500 I used to have. Dare I say it. The Lenco is not the end all, be all table. But it is very cost effective. Now, on to something new in turntables for me!

John, perhaps you did not read my post or simply became aggitated that I have not whole-heartedly endorsed the Lenco. I openly admitted that I did not seriously undertake the plinth project. You are very quick to jump in when anyone dares to offer an opinion other than yours concerning the Lenco. I did not disparage the Lenco, I merely stated that I believe that it betters some tables but is perhaps only as good as others. Blasphemous though that may be.

Yes, I can build just about any plinth you care to name. That should not surprise anyone since we are talking about nothing more than basic tool skills here. (4yanx's wonderful creations not withstanding!) No, I have not because I have many more important demands on my time. I also don't have time to build my own electronics, or speakers. You say that you don't think I have made a fair comparison and perhaps that may be true. So what! This is a public forum and as far as I know I'm still allowed to voice my opinion even if you don't think I'm that well informed.

It seems that everytime the subject of "What is the best table" comes up most everyone eventually agrees that there is no such thing. But here we have the exception. We are all expected to endorse the Lenco as the best table in the world, past, present and future. Perhaps your creations will be as good as any table in the world. Perhaps someone would still choose anther table if for no other reason than they like the looks of something other than a Lenco-project. Perhaps they may not like the idea of something that hasn't been produced for years. Hell, maybe they just don't like castings and platter mats.