New Turntable

I haven't heard any of these myself, so I don't put too much weight into my input here, but I'll share my thoughts. 

Clearaudio is always highly reviewed, but I have NEVER met anyone who actually owns one. To me, that says something. Whenever people are shopping within their price points, they always go a different direction. I don't know the reason, but that's always stood out to me. I'd still love to hear one, but that would be enough to prevent me from ordering blind. They do have the most arm options though, so I do think that's a pretty solid advantage from their lines. 

For Luxman, their stuff is beautiful and reviews are positive from both critics and actual owners. I also think the knife edge bearings are interesting and they seem like a good medium between a classic gimbal and a unipivot. The option of various armboards is also very cool. And in the removable head shell, you're looking at a ton of great flexibility. I do prefer the look of the Centennial, but I think the technical upgrades of the 191 are enough that I would heavily prefer that if I had the option. 191 just feels like a table that will not limit you in the future, especially with the armboards. 

Now the Rega, while a totally different design, it has some awesome advantages. One is being dead simple and easy to maintain, especially if you stick with Rega cartridges. In my mind, this is by for the most set and forget of the bunch. I have also seen Rega arms on more non-Rega tables than most other brands. That's a huge endorsement to their arm designs, and that's worth considering. 

For me, I'd go Luxman 191 all day. To me, it feels the most future proof. But like so many great things in hifi, I think you've got a good list with no wrong answers. Don't be afraid to just lean into he one that speaks to you most. 

@jmkrajnik 

https://www.idler-wheel-drive.com

Best sounding turntables at any price

What high ed tabkes have to compared them too, and with what arms and cartridges? Clearaudio Ovation? Innovation Wood? Master Innovation? These are the tabes I have owned in the last three years. I’m interested in how they are bettered by your suggested table(s).

All of the TTs you are considering would give excellent sonic results.  I recommend you consider them from an ergonomic standpoint.  They are very different one from another.  You need to play some records on each one to get a feel for how they work, how they FEEL to you.  Whatever TT you select should be one that you are comfortable using.  Your mission is to decide which one you like to use the best.  Don’t worry about making a bad choice, there are no bad choices in this group.  This is something only you can do.  No one else is you and none of us can help you with this most important of all ergonomic preference.

Currently I am at 30,000 ft over Wisconsin. I will write back when I get home. 
 

John

Okay, here we go.  I am currently running my Nantais with a Graham Phantom and a Dynavector XX-3 cartridge.  What it replaced was a Oracle Premiere upgraded to a MK-V with Koetsu goldline cartridge.  Between Nantais and my Oracle--night and day difference.  It was as great a step up as when I went from my consumer level Denon to the Oracle.

There was nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing that wasn't improved.  Clarity, stereo separation, sound floor dropped like a rock.  Wow and flutter nearly dissappeard (CD like, no joke).

What I've heard before.

I own a Clearaudio.  Haven't been impressed.  A grandchild  broke the needle, replaced it with a Denon cartridge, sounded a lot better.  Heard a few of the high end.

I buy stuff from Paragon in Ann Arbor.  Heard the Linn Sondeck (sorry, not sure what cartridge).  Way inferier to the Nantais turntable at 4x price.

Heard the Rockport.  Nantais still better.  Sometimes I think that one is for the very weathy to impress their friends.

Very familiar with the older Basis tables.  Back in the '90's, I wanted a Basis vacuum with a Graham and a Koetsu.  Couldn't afford it.

Listened many, many turntables over the years.  VPI's, the consumer stuff, etc.

Now, I could get into the details, but here is a much better source for information: https://www.high-endaudio.com/RECENT.html

Arthur is the best, most objective reviewer I've seen in this hobby.  He has a reviewing process that reminds me of a Deming process (The Toyota Way was actually started by Deming).  He also changes his mind and will admit that he is wrong.

To this day, I have never been able to prove Arthur wrong.  He has a lot of gold on his obsolete-looking, hard to navigate website.

Now for me, I've always been around musicians.  Wasn't a bad one when I was younger, but some of my friends and relatives are internationally known musicians.

I also have my wife--the perfect objective tester.  She can hear things most can't.  Has perfect pitch.  Enjoys listening to the stereo, but does not care about the equipment.  If it sounds better, she tells me.  If it sounds worse, she tells me.  She is also great at fine tuning the equipment.

Jean also has a lot of great ideas for tweeks and setup.  He is a valuable resource to getting your turntable up and rolling.

Now, let me flip my scientist's cap back on for a second.  jean explains his theory behind why his turntables work so well on his website.  It seems to be sound.  Earlier, I stated I've been around the music industry all my life.  Nantais' turntables reminded me of something from my past--Ampex

https://reel-reel.com/tape-recorder/ampex-mr-70/

Heard master tapes on one of those.  Best sound I've ever heard.

Nantais is close.  I think the reason for this is that they both use ideler arm technology.  Jean did for idler arm turntables what Ampex did for reel to reel.  Optimized it.  Read his explination on his website.  I think he is spot on.