Opinions on this Turntable package?

I haven't heard that turntable but I am sure it will sound fine. I am getting lazy in my late middle age and I am no longer willing to put up with a belt drive turntable but you may feel differently. I also use a gas grill instead of charcoal for the same reason. I also like hand cranked ice cream but I usually buy it in a cardboard box. Anyway, you get the idea.

I haven't heard that either, but if I was in your situation, I would take a chance on it. I like project and that cartridge is a good one.

couple of things to keep in mind, 6moons loves just about everything it reviews so a positive from them is not always a strong indication of a great product. I also am not a fan of the sumiko BP cart as they sound bright to me but ymmv.

Both of my sony tables (ps-x7 and ps-x555es) are better in signal to noise by a margin of 5 to 8 db and have less speed variation. The carbon fiber arm looks nice but heck the sony ps-x7 has that as well. I overpaid for these tables on the used market because they were in extremely good shape ($350 and $400 respectively) and they are still are bargains over todays $1000-$2000 tables and sound as good or better than the Linns and VPI tables that I have compared them with.

That said it still looks like a nice package and will most likely sound nice. The Project factory is known for making good quality stuff. I would also invest some time in getting to know TT set up as this is a great way to really dial in your table.

I'm not familiar with the ProJect, but always recommend that you take a look at used turntables. For $1k, you can often get a $2k deck used.

Keep in mind that used turntables are usually in excellent condition and are sold only because they're a spare or because the owner is upgrading. They don't get pawned off because they're malfunctioning and they've usually been babied.

When I got the Gyrodec, the owner had kept the original box and packing and it arrived disassembled and packed up exactly the way a new one would have shipped. I would have had to set up a new one, anyway, so the only real difference was that the used one was about 40% of the price of a new one.

Also, turntables are dead simple and rarely need repairs, so you really don't need a warranty. A used deck will run for years and years without needing much work.

A further bonus is that many owners will throw in lots of accessories along with a used turntable. If they have spare parts, belts, etc. those usually go with it and you'll save even more over having to buy all that stuff new.

So head over to Audiogon and run a few searches that restrict price to a couple hundred over your budget - most people will deal a little on price, so add about 10%-15% to what you're willing to pay. Most will come down 10%-15% if you ask nicely. Also ask if they can throw in free shipping and PayPal fees. It's a buyer's market, so you might get a great deal.

great advice no matter what type of table you buy

Funny I should run across this thread. Just unearthed a bunch of mint condition RCA Red Seal operas and symphonies that were my father-in-law's. Have an amp, really decent speakers but no turntable. Went to TTVJ website to see what they have and am considering a few options on there. But this Music Direct site I had forgotten about, only because i've been out of the vinyl-loop for about two decades.

OBOY!!!! More ways to spend money. Gotta love it