11-16-2012, 01:30 PM
In the context of serious stereo components, $350 is a very inexpensive turntable of the sort *everyone* was once buying. Consider a new Dual turntable purchased for about $100 in 1980. Guess how much that is in today's dollars?
The difference today is that the barriers to entry have lowered along with quality, so "$100" remains the expected norm but yeah the ION and similar machines mostly just reinforce vinyl's downsides, not the potential.
And $100 off a $450 deck is a rare bargain.
I have a Dual 1246 that runs OK I'll sell to anyone here for $50 but you need to by a cartridge. It's not in perfect shape but it makes music and its tonearm would shame the ION's.
The difference today is that the barriers to entry have lowered along with quality, so "$100" remains the expected norm but yeah the ION and similar machines mostly just reinforce vinyl's downsides, not the potential.
And $100 off a $450 deck is a rare bargain.
I have a Dual 1246 that runs OK I'll sell to anyone here for $50 but you need to by a cartridge. It's not in perfect shape but it makes music and its tonearm would shame the ION's.