So many new TT's at lower price, still better off buying used?

I am an oldie. Just want to hear significant results before going into blindly buying a new turntable just because it's newer. My present table is one that I bought new in the 70's. Is a Pioneer PL-530 and functions perfectly. Have replaced cartridges over the years and currently use a higher end Grado with a Graham Slee preamp. The Pioneer has a relatively heavy/"S" shaped tonearm.

Auditioning turntables at a dealer's showroom in a side by side comparison is difficult. This is a hard question........ Am I completely missing out on what my vinyl collection can provide, given the age of the Pioneer table? Maybe...maybe not. I know a lot has to do with the system it's used with. Are these vintage tables up to the standards of modern tables in the medium price range?

@aberyclark...…………………………………………….

I own a  Technics SL1200G TT and I absolutely love it.  The SL1210GR will give you 90% of the SL1200G.  I believe you will love it as well.  The music really flows and you can really get drawn into the music.  This is my fourth turntable and this one is the keeper.  The best part is, there is really no fiddling with the turntables.  Once you set it, you just can play your vinyl.

Jrpnde,

i own a PL530 and a 1200GR. 

The GR is way better.

I also own a VPI Prime,

 the Prime with speed control is better than the GR. 

If you know the history and age of a table you will get much more buying used. Most audiophiles treat their equipment very well and have upgrade fever every few years so its not uncommon to find very nice equipment a few years old at a deep discount.

I took my time and just kept looking in the used market, and finally found found my dream table for about $1500. I got a Michele Gyrodec w / a zeta to warm and a Sumiko virtuoso cart..  This table new would be somewhere north of $4k, and it sounds amazing!! Many good decs out there for a good deal of your patient..