New buyers, the SL-BD20D can be as good as you want. The low prices also include a throw away cartridge. Please, invest at least $60 more and get a good one. The P-mount still has a lot of support in mid and mid-hi cartridges from Audio Technica and Grado. The arm is preset for down force and anti-skate, and works very well. I bought one, and immediately replaced the cartridge with an Audio Technica AT311EP ($58). The combination had a very good sound. Later I bought a Shibata diamond stylus from LP-Gear $50, and the sound will match many turntable/cartridge combinations at 3 times the price. Don't let ignorance guid your choice, the cartridge is still the basis of good/great sound.
Technics SL-BD20D?
I'd like to buy an inexpensive turntable and I'm think of Technics SL-BD20D. It sells in $130 at Amazon.com. Since this is my very first turntable, I do not want to do lots of calibration (I just want to buy one and use it). In addition, I just want to buy an inexpensive one and try, then upgrade later.
Does anybody have an oppinion about SL-BD20D? Can anybody recommend a better choice at about $100-$150? Thanks.