Best turntable/cartridge/phono preamp combo

Actually a used Music Hall MMF-7 (about $800), a manual record cleaning machine (figure $150), and a used Creek OBH-8 phono preamplifier (about $125) are well under his target price.

This is the easiest and most affordable entry into vinyl. Lastly, the Music Hall and Creek are easy to sell on Audiogon when upgraditis hits.

All of course IMO.

Music Hall MM7, Shelter 501 mk 2 and EAR 834P phono pre. Exceptional combo and great $ value!

I like the Rega P3, Elys 2, and Fono preamp. Great upgradeability and ain't half bad to start with.

The Project tonearm on the MMF-7 will not track the Shelter to its' full potential. Stick with the factory supplied Goldring if you go with the MMF-7. Anything more expensive is basically a waste of money.

Good luck.

Audiofell: Absolutely untrue. The Shelter tracks perfectly and made a huge improvment to the table's performance.

And, my opinion is based on actual experience as an owner and long time vinyl listener, is yours?