Quote: "...was thinking of getting the best bang for the buck table/cartridge combo for under 1K."
Quote: "I want a table set up that will satisfy forever that I will not tire of or find too finiky."
Krell1, I had those same two issues you have now when I resumed my hobby after a six year 'leave of absence'. I carefully examined my choices and went the modded Technics 1200 way. The modded 1200 is a hard sell, anathema to the Voodoo crowd. However it *does* fill the criteria you have stated above. If that's what you're really searching for, the modded 1200 wins hands down.
I have 700 LPs vs 300 CDs, and a nice, extrememely musical sounding high end setup. The modded 1200 is my main tool and I am really satisfied with its performance. Along with an Ortofon X5 high output MC I got brand new for $110 (from 2Juki) and my Monolithic Sound PS-1 phono stage, it outperforms my CDP/DAC combo. It's a no brainer, even for people who are not audiophiles and listen to my system for the first time.
I suggest you do a search and read my posts on modding the 1200. Also, talk to Kevin Barrett of KAB Electroacoustics (www.kabusa.com). He's the designer of the tonearm fluid damper for the 1200.
You will encounter particular resistance from someone here--the problem lies in that he has the same DAC as I do. He can't get over the fact that my 1200 rig blows away that DAC...
Regards,
P/A
Quote: "I want a table set up that will satisfy forever that I will not tire of or find too finiky."
Krell1, I had those same two issues you have now when I resumed my hobby after a six year 'leave of absence'. I carefully examined my choices and went the modded Technics 1200 way. The modded 1200 is a hard sell, anathema to the Voodoo crowd. However it *does* fill the criteria you have stated above. If that's what you're really searching for, the modded 1200 wins hands down.
I have 700 LPs vs 300 CDs, and a nice, extrememely musical sounding high end setup. The modded 1200 is my main tool and I am really satisfied with its performance. Along with an Ortofon X5 high output MC I got brand new for $110 (from 2Juki) and my Monolithic Sound PS-1 phono stage, it outperforms my CDP/DAC combo. It's a no brainer, even for people who are not audiophiles and listen to my system for the first time.
I suggest you do a search and read my posts on modding the 1200. Also, talk to Kevin Barrett of KAB Electroacoustics (www.kabusa.com). He's the designer of the tonearm fluid damper for the 1200.
You will encounter particular resistance from someone here--the problem lies in that he has the same DAC as I do. He can't get over the fact that my 1200 rig blows away that DAC...
Regards,
P/A