...than you care to spend.....

But matched with a good set of cans, this provides quite an elegant solution.

http://vpiindustries.com/table-nomad.htm

Bill - on the Hill
Practicing Curmudgeon & Audio Snob
- just an “ON” switch, Please –

Talk to the people at Needledoctor. They sell that Teac unit and a few others. They will be able to offer a reasonable POV on its quality and offer alternatives.

You could also think about a refurb of one of the lower end Denon's, a less expensive receiver and a good pair of speakers. If you stick to refurbs and clearance items you could easily put together something for under $600. It would take some effort and you would probably want to buy a new cartridge for the turntable but it could be done.

You might just be able to get a different cartridge attached to the Teac. That should deal with your concern for the most part. The Ortofon 2M red is awesome at $99 and the people a needledoctor will install it. If that is too much, look at a Sumiko Oyster.which $69 I think.

Mikey's Crosley Killer:

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/u-turn%E2%80%99s-remarkable-179-orbit-turntable-crosley-killer

nsg wrote:

Definitely more than I'd like to spend. I'm looking for something that won't trash her LPs, something easy to ship and set up. And something that doesn't scream "steal me". Maybe this is the wrong forum to ask this question...

For about the same as the Teac system, you can do much better.

I suggest that you get the Music Hall USB-1 turntable for $249.

Add the Sony STR-DH130 stereo receiver, for around $140, and a pair of Dayton B652 speakers for $40 from Parts Express.

That will make a pretty nice system.

There is also the Sherwood RX-4109 receiver for $129 at Amazon; some people recommend it.

Those speakers, by the way, are up there with speakers that cost 5 times as much, and more.

I have a pair in my den, with a Cambridge 40-watt integrated amp and TV and Marantz CD player, and the sound is quite good.

My main stereo system is a SOTA $25K system, so I don't suffer things that sound bad.

Those speakers are way better than their price; quite a bargain.

You can have the stuff shipped direct to her when you order online.

I have three sets.
One on the porch.
One at work.
One in the daughter’s system.

Bill - on the Hill
Practicing Curmudgeon & Audio Snob
- just an “ON” switch, Please –