I don't agree. What is "the best all-round turntable" ?
The SL-12xx 's are focussed and targeted on the DJ world. You don't need a lot of what it has at home. In fact, it has a lot you DON'T want at home...
The Pro-ject is designed for the home market, for the more audiophile (but I hate that word, I prefer, serious music fan) market.
As mentioned, I have a SL-1410 now and I enjoy listening to it a lot more than a do listening to my (then) 1000 guilder Marantz SD-67SE CD player....
However, I can also hear it's shortcomings.
I'm not currently in the market, but if you want a serious home deck for a amazingly low price, the Pro-ject is it. I think a good nice used SL-12xx is even MORE expensive than a brand new Pro-ject debut III.
Here's a nice article that compares it to MUCH more expensive players.
http://www.stereophile.com/turntables/pro-ject_debut_iii_record_playerI listen to my sources through a Sony receiver and B&W 6 series surround set-up, exactly like this MINUS the subwoofer, which is TOTALLY unnecessary with the 603's (if you don't believe so, you're welcome to come and listen to the pod-race SW scene here
):
I'm pretty serious about sound quality, but for a reasonable price. I also tend to stick VERY long with my choice. The B&W 6 were not cheap (for me anyway, still affordable) but will stick around for many many more years, I love them.
If anything, I will be replacing the Sony receiver. It's the last Sony product I've ever bought. Although they seem to make nice stuff, they ALWAYS, ALWAYS break down with me !
Again, the SL-12xx or SL-14xx are certainly no rubbish. But they are a design from the 70's. Many things have improved since then, and things we thought were great than (S-arm) are considered different now....
But....as with all audio components, let your ears decide....
