What to upgrade to from Technics SL-BD27?

[TheMarco]

Hi all,

I recently got back into vinyl and I'm loving it. I have a Technics SL-BD27 connected to a Denon DRA-625 receiver with a set of really nice sounding Polk Audio Monitor Series 2 speakers.

It sounds pretty damn nice to me but I'm hearing everywhere that the Technics is only so-so at best in quality. I'm wondering what would be a reasonable upgrade from this turntable without spending more than say $300?
There are so many choices that it's really hard to figure out what to get and what to avoid.

How much better will my setup sound? Or should I just stick with the Technics unless I want to spend way more?

Thoughts welcome!

 

[Crab33]

Your Technics is a p-mount turntable in that it can only take p-mount cartridges. The cartridge is a big factor in the sound you get from your turntable and a cartridge upgrade may be a way forward, but the choice of p-mount cartridges today is very limited. It would probably be wise to move on to a more conventional turntable that can take standard half-inch mount cartridges (mounting screws half-an-inch apart). Your cartridge choices would then be very much enhanced. Most new turntables of any decent quality will be of this type. While I have no direct experience of these turntables, models by Audio Technica, Fluance, Pro-ject and U-turn are popular at the budget end of the market. On the other hand, $300 may get you a nice vintage turntable if you don't mind buying used - the best thing is to look at what's available in your area and perhaps post any candidates in this thread.

 

[TheMarco]

I decided to try putting in an Audio Technica AT85EP cartridge since it's only $39 bucks.

I have to say it sounds pretty nice to me now. I'm sure I'll get a higher end TT at some point but for now this isn't bad at all as far as I can hear.

 

[kermit z]

Don't fall into the trap of "Reading" other tables are better. Whats most important is what you hear. Enjoy