What to consider when shopping for a Turntable?

[NickB]

Having tried many different turntables and cartridges I have come to the realisation that Garrard were pretty good at making turntables. The 2 top of my list are the Garrard 301 and 401 depending on your view on their looks. There is a certain sense of pace from a good rim drive turntable that a belt drive cannot match. I use a Garrard 401 in a slate plinth and it is a great record playing system. If you like a retro look match that with an SME 3012 arm and you have a fabulous looking and sounding system.