Alright, it's time. I've got a check from last year at college and I have enough to afford a new Turntable. My TT now is a AT LP60, and as it is I'm too scared to play a record more than once on it.
A lot of car troubles have surfaced and that's pulling me a couple of different ways (budget is around $300-400). I've calculated quite a bit actually and I'm looking at 2 models.
The Pro-Ject Carbon, or the Essential.
While the Carbon is just an extra $100. I am in College (and I will be for an extended period of time) and I need money desperately. I don't plan on buying a new Cart for it anytime soon, so I will be stuck with the stock cart for about a year. I can't see myself at this point comfortably spending 400 on a turntable, and considering my career choice.. I'll never be able to comfortably spend 400. I just will not be making that kind of money (yes a $100 is a lot to me.. especially considering the fact that I like to eat)
Pretty much this is what I want: Something that is not going to wear my records out very quickly, and sound decent.
I want to make vinyl my main form of playback, so I want something that I can play a record on again and again and not worry about any potential record damage, rapid vinyl wear, or the table or stylus giving out prematurely.
So, is there any Essential users on here that can give me some opinions on this table and the stock cart? Is it good? Does the table hold up? The Carbon is of course the better buy, but will the Essential do what I want it to?
Any opinions whatsoever will be appreciated. Please help a poor vinyl collector out.