Ran across a Sansui SR 2050 at the thrift. Wood cabinet, good overall condition, but no cartridge. They want $80 for it. I thought that was kind of steep for a thrift store, but I've been looking for a good turntable. Should I buy this or can I do better for $80. :scratch2:

That is very steep for a thrift store. You can get them on ebay for less with shipping. Decent budget table, but you can do better for the money.

I think I paid $4 for mine... Keep lookin'...

The 2050 is a good table but $80 is very high unless it's in mint condition - both cosmetically AND mechanically/electrically.

The 2050 (is it actually the much-more-common 2050C?) is a model from about 1973 - 1974 and it's a manual machine with automatic arm-lift at record end (no arm return, just lift.)

$80 is about what they go for WITH a good cartridge.

Unless it was an early 2050 model with the "SME 3009 clone" tonearm with the knife-edge bearings (a very good effort), I would not pay $80. ( Most 2050s I see have pivot bearings and not the more desirable but more fragile knife edge. I don't know why Sansui stopped with the earlier tonearm - maybe SME sued them or they found it too expensive to manufacture.)

That said, if you bought one for $30 off ebay, it would cost you $80 after you paid shipping and insurance so........