I am not sure that I qualify to be what Elizabeth calls a fanboy but I do use a Technics SL1200MK5 that I bought new on eBay last December, 2011. It is mated with a KAB/Ortofon Pro S cartridge and STY40 stylus. No headshell.
It took only twenty minutes to set up the table and cartridge and I was spinning my old vinyl from the 70's.
My albums sound great with black background, punchy bass, clear treble, and good sound stage. It is a big improvement from my old Luxman PD272 with a Shure V15type4 cartridge.
Well recorded albums sound alive.
The Technics is well built and its direct drive speed control is critical to good listening IMHO. I spent a lot of time researching this purchase and felt that belt drive is inferior unless you have a lot of extra cash sitting around.
So for about $1,000 I am in heaven with a table that will only get better with low cost modifications.
It took only twenty minutes to set up the table and cartridge and I was spinning my old vinyl from the 70's.
My albums sound great with black background, punchy bass, clear treble, and good sound stage. It is a big improvement from my old Luxman PD272 with a Shure V15type4 cartridge.
Well recorded albums sound alive.
The Technics is well built and its direct drive speed control is critical to good listening IMHO. I spent a lot of time researching this purchase and felt that belt drive is inferior unless you have a lot of extra cash sitting around.
So for about $1,000 I am in heaven with a table that will only get better with low cost modifications.