Rega P3 RS, Michell TecnoDec, Avid Ingenium


I sold off my audio system several years ago after having lost my dedicated listening room to a home renovation (thaaaaat's right smiley).  I'm looking to build a new system at a relatively modest level and have been researching turntables in the $2000-$2500 range.  The three I've been most focused on are the Rega P3 RS, the Michell TecnoDec and the Avid Ingenium.  Needless to say it's difficult to listen to all of these turntables in person without traveling around the country, so I was hoping to tap into the collective knowledge of the forum.  If anyone has any opinions on how these turntables compare then I'd love to hear them.  

For reference, I've owned a Planar 3/RB300 in the distant past and really enjoyed it.  I subsequently went to a Linn LP12, then a VPI Aries/SDS/JMW-10 and finally a Basis 2500 Signature/Vector 3.  So, yeah, I'm kind of going backwards at this point but I've given myself a realistic budget and just want something relatively affordable and simple so that I can enjoy my LPs again.

Thanks in advance.

lpluvr

the headshell is removable and arm height is adjustable on this Technics Model

https://www.ebay.com/itm/357847089906?_trkparms=itmf%3D1%26aid%3D1110018%26rkt%3D12%26mech%3D1%26algv%3DCompVIDesktopATF2V6ReplaceKnnV4WithVectorDbNsOptHotPlRecallWithSiblingFilterCpcRecalls%26pmt%3D1%26amclksrc%3DITM%26sd%3D389391017239%26sid%3DAQAKAAAAEGEpdEwm6Axd6fVIM9quaBw%3D%26itm%3D357847089906%26noa%3D0%26plcampt%3D0%3A150700244014%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.COMPLISTINGS%26brand%3DTechnics%26asc%3D20250821123744%26ao%3D1%26rk%3D3%26pid%3D101196%26b%3D1%26mehot%3Dnone%26lsid%3D0%26meid%3D07569b5c2424459f9380c11ec83bbe09%26pg%3D2332490&_trksid=p2332490.c101196.m2219&itmprp=cksum%3A35784708990607569b5c2424459f9380c11ec83bbe09%7Cenc%3AAQAKAAABQAH50npa8h9yRfydpXB8zqXOz5LNfZulnsXMhI5fsDvqcE2rA3gWuUGmPAVnXrtD58mhpZmufzLrS0HwdAWNr06BmNj22xxdjQO9T3SMzVOzIpirphiwnbxhekS3NW%252FEiv4%252FnbA3S8Wqbi8IAMV9761O6ubnwDZTc8kas2FJiqDWFaucSKslVTwYTz%252BggxS5fv7uj1WLbh9QZnDzs%252B6xOaaCfeHMM8bI1b6cusZNkhatUWpIy%252F%252BTZXT0aR6BJJLTNlWMWf71B%252Bls2w1PaFHM3z3lOVZ8gDGtJyVz5%252F8qn2urm0ou7BIYgOmYS7%252F7Ee7HMIC%252Bm1a0b18eWF3qRU1tDB5XCdmjqKMwIBBEPfDfbtc1WmSRP3Jy0gBUZjwfd0P1FOT1rPjIIsWdmZVyMWyc0yw6AUh%252Berin%252BASflPDip%252FEF%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2332490

comes with a hinged/removable dust cover and they make wood bases to surround/change their look that some seem to like

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/wood-surround-for-audio-technica-at120-technics-1200-and-technics-1210

used, local pickup avoids damage and saves money, and you can verify/buy

where are you?

Vintage/Classic/Still Awesome

IF close enough to check it out, my Thorens TD124 paired with the SME arm with the Shure V15Vxmr MicroRidge on microwall beryllium tube tracking at only 1.0 g produced the best bass I ever experienced/remember with a TT.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650277040-thorens-td-124-turntable-with-sme-3009-tonearm/

Sadly, the amazing bearing is susceptible to Vertical motion and my wood floors are too springy so I sold my pair.

This version of the SME arm has removable headshell, they all do not. That arm is simply a gravitational delight. The heavy platter is a beast!

Easy to order a dust cover or change the base/add a cover in the future.

I’ve been buying used AT160ML cartridges with Microline on Gold Plated Beryllium that track at 1.25 g, I would love to hear it on that combo.

IF you have vibration free floor, or can do a wall shelf for the TT, Oh Baby I love my 3 arm TT but I still miss mt TD124/SME. 

You need to let it warm up, adjust the speed using the built in strobe, after that check it every once and a while, perhaps a voltage regulator if your power source varies would keep it more stable after it warms up, I never cared, it always sounded terrific, never more than a spec off perfect speed once warmed up here.

@lewm Point taken.  I'm a bit old school and have never bought an audio component without seeing it/hearing it for myself first.  But that's simply not always possible and a leap of faith will likely be required.