I have a RX1500 along with the outboard motor and vacuum options. I am very pleased with it and see no need to replace it with a newer unit. Personally, I think it is good enough to run with the newer big buck units.
Keep in mind that this is old school engineering, so low noise, low torque, was king of engineering. Today we have motors and drive electronics that simply didn't exist 30 years ago. I am looking at designing a new motor control board with a new BLDC motor assembly, to bring the design current with modern thinking. However, as it stands, it is a very good unit and generally easy to service.
To answer your question though, I don't have any personal experience with the BL-111 unit. It is made by MS, so I suspect it is a pretty good unit right off. Check out the torque by using a dry record brush and see how it slows down. Listen to it with an LP which has sustained piano solos, those are usually pretty tough to get right on TT's. Listen for rumble, feedback, and other anomalies. If the unit passes to your satisfaction, grab it!
Keep in mind that this is old school engineering, so low noise, low torque, was king of engineering. Today we have motors and drive electronics that simply didn't exist 30 years ago. I am looking at designing a new motor control board with a new BLDC motor assembly, to bring the design current with modern thinking. However, as it stands, it is a very good unit and generally easy to service.
To answer your question though, I don't have any personal experience with the BL-111 unit. It is made by MS, so I suspect it is a pretty good unit right off. Check out the torque by using a dry record brush and see how it slows down. Listen to it with an LP which has sustained piano solos, those are usually pretty tough to get right on TT's. Listen for rumble, feedback, and other anomalies. If the unit passes to your satisfaction, grab it!