I don't want to date myself too much here, but I grew up on vinyl. I have been broadcasting in community radio for 30 years, playing mostly vinyl. Lately I've been ripping some of the better albums to digital (nobody goes into the station these days), but after listening critically to the results I concluded it was time to get new equipment. So I go looking, only to discover that the Technics SL-Q2 turntable I used to own (stolen in a Christmas burglary back in the 80's) is kind of the sweet spot for vintage turntables and impossible to find locally or in good condition on eBay. Dang!
And guess what? Now everybody and their Uncle Jack is back into vinyl! All you can buy is really crappy low-end tables with USB output(!) or insanely expensive turntables lovingly crafted out of unicorn horns and unobtainium. So I am really excited that I found this affordable turntable that promises decent sound, a collaboration between drop.com and Audio-Technica. It's called a Drop+ Audio-Technica Carbon VTA turntable, see photo. And, unlike the AT-LP40WN that it's based on, it ships in about a week!