Try some of the Music Hall Stuff. New, with cartridge installed, for a grand or less. The MMF-7 was Stereophile's budget component of the year a couple of years back. That one will set you back about a grand. There are others that certainly aren't "crap" down to less than four hundred. They'll all beat the Denon.

Hi there Jonontherd

I know what you're talking about.I suppose you don't want to go the "used" route,so,as far as i know,denon is the only company(at least of the "known to all of us")that produces the kind of turntable you are looking to purchase

Hiya !

Sorry for the delay in responding to your question.
Personally,i'd steer away from used vintage turntables.it is not a matter of how they perform but rather a matter of service ! Most the companies are either out of business or don't stock parts anymore.
A guy recommended project.I agree with him,although,i believe what you are looking for,is not just a "wooden" turntable but rather the "lush" looks of 70's tables. well , as i said earlier , only Denon makes one. Everyone else is going for the "metal" or "acrylic" route. Sota makes a wooden one but still,it is not the 70's look you are after.
Good hunting buddy !

Quote:
I've been eyeing up this Micro Seiki DD-7 for awhile now but I don't know anyone whose owned one or any Micro Seiki products for that matter but any feedback would be appreciated about it.

I bought this Micro DDX-1000 thirty years ago and it's been working perfectly ever since.

I loved that SME arm and let one get away long ago on a Technics SP10. That was a huge mistake. I also had one that had a newer arm 3009 IV (?) that had a silicone semicircular trough on the plinth and a plastic paddle that hung down from the tonearm wand into the silicone. It damped the tone arm and that table had the tighest bass I had ever heard...back in the mid 70's. I know we all have audio regrets. Those tables were ONE of mine.