Does a better turntable actually sound better?

Comparing audio quality between a new $99 Audio-Technica AT-LP60 turntable and a far superior vintage 1970s Technics SL-1900 turntable equipped with the popular and well-reviewed AT95E phono cartridge.

Pre-emptive FAQ:

Q: How am I supposed to compare audio quality through a YouTube video with compressed audio?

A: You don't have to. You can download the audio samples in uncompressed WAV format here: https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B_oqlENevINHaEZaZ0dqOUR2c28/edit

Q: I get an error when trying to open that link.

A: Try opening it in private/Incognito mode in your browser. If that still doesn't work, here are the direct download links:

sitd-technics.wav

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oqlENevINHZWdwV0g4UDEzRTg

sitd-atlp60.wav

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oqlENevINHa3VVcTY3OWlXQXM

difference-technics.wav

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oqlENevINHUC12U2V6MEdELUE

difference-atlp60.wav

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oqlENevINHWmJfSHZadWlWbFU

Q: The music isn't good enough to reveal the true difference in audio quality between the turntables.

A: Unfortunately, until someone releases royalty-free music on vinyl, I'm limited by what music I can use that won't result in YouTube putting copyright restrictions on this video. But here's the $99 AT-LP60 playing a Linda Ronstadt song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9y9gpJVbE8 You can compare that to the same song being played on a VPI Scout (a $2200 turntable) with an Ortofon 2M Black (a $700 phono cartridge): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeHMgp_TpHI

Q: The AT95E is still only a "budget" phono cartridge. You need to use a much better cartridge to make this a valid comparison.

A: Many reviewers insist that the AT-LP120 and other mid-range turntables equipped with the AT95E cartridge offer "significantly better sound quality" and "will get a finer, more detailed sound out of your records" than the AT-LP60's AT3600L cartridge. Judge for yourself if you think that's true.

Q: Regardless of the audio quality, everyone tells me the AT-LP60 is a bad turntable.

A: See my video "Cheap turntables - Are they really THAT bad?": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeZ9liZO-f8

Q: What are the song titles?

A: Shot in the Dark - "Make Up My Mind"; Vic Damone - "It Makes No Difference"; Mr. Fantastic (John LaDuca) - "Bittersweet Samba"