Looking for a turntable around $1k...


I don’t and won’t have tons of $ to throw into an analog set up. I’m primarily digital and CD but I still have enough recordings that are vinyl only as well as others of sentimental value that I listen to regularly enough  that I can justify getting a decent turntable, at least at the price point I set. I know that some people have expensive opinions about turntables, but I can’t go there. 

My listening set up is a Schiit Mani phono preamp, a Decware Torii MkIV amplifier, and Omega 6.5” Alnico Junior XRS speakers if that all matters.

I’ve been using a Technics AT-LP120 for years and I have come to hate it. The tone arm is floppy and it has become pretty much impossible to lower the needle without it bouncing off the record. If someone down the block sneezes, the record skips. No matter where I place the table. Everything about it has gotten worse and I fear that the turntable is damaging my records at this point.

I’ve been considering the Rega Planar 3 but do I even need that?

Is there a sleeper turntable around $1k that I don’t know about?

Could I just get by with a Planar 1 or 2 given that vinyl is what I listen to 3rd most behind HD streaming and CD?





pip_helix
I will be picking up my Planar 3 with 4 mm of spacers for my OC-9 ML this week.  Been researching  new TT's for months, IMO it's the best combination of table and arm in that price range but if you like switching carts on a regular basis it's not the TT for you (or me).
I've had both the Sl-1200 Mk5 & the Rega RP3. Both sounded great.
I used both with the same cartridge, actually I used a OC9-MLII along with about 5 others.

The Rega sounded a little better but it did run a little fast, not much. I
also really like the Rega Arm.

The Technics is nice like uncleang said if you like to change cartridges
plus it's built like a tank.
Once again about Technics mk7:

This model is superior to previous generation like old mk5 and cost only $900-1000 and this is a brand new model with many features from GR!