I feel like used is the way to go. Any suggestions on buy used?
Was looking at this but the cart looks bent 
This is just me. I donāt think I would ever buy a used table or cart. They seem way too fragile to be shipped multiple times. You never know how the previous owners treated their equipment. Yes, you would save money, but there could be a lot of hassle if the arrived equipment did not operate as expected. At 73 years of age, I try to take hassle out of the equation.
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A used cart isnāt a great idea IMO. Too many things can go wrong. Miss the day when I could stop in a local stereo shop and demo a handful of cartridges, mostly at reasonable prices. Included was an installation service with the purchase. Truly miss those days.
Repeat, Iād reconsider buying a used phono cartridge as its heritage is unknown.
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Appreciate it guys. Seems like a used cart is a no-go for sure.
Maybe a used table if its great condition? Winston I see you arenāt a huge fan. Maybe Iāll just invest into a new one to have it set up properly and get me started. The savings are significant though.
This used Rega Planar 6 w/o cart looks like a good deal (~$1900 new): TMR is also a good outfit.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbe70b-rega-planar-6-belt-drive-turntable-matt-polaris-gre-77530-turntables
And another one in white:
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbe782-rega-planar-6-demo-in-white-with-warranty-and-cartridge-options-turntables
Awesome thanks for the links. Iāll probably look into the P8 at least (if used falls into my budget) but have been looking at clear audio a little more. Ive heard P8 is very fast passed and less neutral compared to performance model clear audio
Another reason I like Rega cartridges is they use a 3-point mounting system and when used with a Rega TT require very little setup or adjustment during installation. Only really āone wayā to mount the cart.
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This is generally the best advice, but it depends. If you know the seller and heās the original owner, it is possible to get your hands on a used cart in very nice condition. A particular set of circumstances and luck involved, but it is possible.
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Iāve used a Clearaudio Performance TT for 15 years, with a variety of cartridges and would buy another one if I had to.
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beautiful. tell me more. what made you go with CA? what made you stay with it? do you feel its worth the upgrade from the signature model? do you have the wood model?
I want to know all the things from someone with that much experience with it.
Is it finicky? I want things to just work even if they arenāt setup perfect (especially when people come over)
I may have missed your budget but his is the turntable I have and I love it. Itās direct drive and stops the platter from spinning at the end of a record. I need that feature because sometimes I get sidetracked and itās good to know that I donāt have to think about the stylus continuing to run on the inside groove.
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Iām looking for under 5k
Iāll take a look!
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About pick up a Stellar Phono-preamp for $1400 tomorrow!
Slowly building!
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Iāve been using the Stellar with my vintage Thorens for a couple of years now and I absolutely love it. Use it with a moving coil cartridge and itās great fun to
adjust the loading from my listening chair for a variety of flavors.
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Thatās a great phono preamp. Good choice.
Technics SL-1300G Direct Drive Turntable - Stereophile Herb Reichert B You can save 450.00 by just using the stock head shell. Save more money by buying a mm cart. Again, no tax and no shipping fee. Manufacturerās warrantee. I think they are a great vendor. Look at their website.
This TT was purchased at the recommendation of a dealer. At the time (2010) I recall my model (Performance SE) was the entry level TT from Clearaudio.
Iāve stayed with this unit because I think that changing ancillary gear like cartridges and phono stages and SUTs gives more bang-for-the-buck than could be obtained by changing TTs.
There is nothing finicky about this TT. Just try to keep it as dust-free as possible and give the ceramic bearing two drops of oil every year.
I see that another reader has recommended the MH Stealth. I would second that recommendation, I use one as my adjunct (mono) TT. It is a tremendous bargain at the price IMO and it has a removeable head shell. It would be a great TT for someone interested in getting started in spinning records.
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UPDATE:
I got a ClearAudio Performance DC Wood & a Stellar Phono-preamp 
Sounds wonderful!
I have some extra āstaticā in my right speaker compared to left when the needle is dropped. using XLR out of stellar.
Any suggestions on this? Maybe adding another ground?
Congratulations with the new gear!
Is the TT level?
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Was the cartridge used? Is the anti-skate properly adjusted? Could be a cart set up issue.