If you decide to talk about turntable choices, I would like to participate. It's a recent interest of mine, and I can recommend units based on technical performance, not audiophile hype, as you will typically get recommendations based upon. Example: A popular recommendation may be an entry level Rega or Pro-ject turntable. However, these are actually very low in build quality. Technically, a Technics professional table will be far superior in build quality, resonance and speed stability, providing a perfect/neutral base. Now, the tone arms on the Technics are not quite optimal, but these can be changed out with better arms quite easily. Despite the huge increase in quality, the Technics are not more expensive than the vastly inferior entry level range Regas/Pro-jects, etc.. The entry level rega with RB250/RB300/RB301 arms; the arms are quite good over all. But this is the only good part on the table. If you don't mind used, you could get a used Technics SL-Q2, SL-Q3 or SL-1300MKII for very low price(30-60 USD!), then make(if you do any DIY) or have a custom adapter plate machined up to fit a Rega RB300 arm. The decks mentioned are made from solid cast aluminum, have very substantial and superbly speed accurate motors, and incredibly low rumble/noise. Due to being a couple of decades old, and low popularity today, the price is very low in the market. Of course, these are very utilitarian looking. No fancy cosmetics here. This short discussion was just for example - and I look forward to a real TT discussion if you so desire.
-Chris
