The Horizon SE is what first introduced me to the Nottingham line. I would say there is a similarity of sound signature in the line, at least with the SE level, which came with a Nottingham arm, not the Rega on the non SE version. I've never heard the non SE version but I suspect it's not too far off. I also haven't heard anything in between the SE and the Hyperspace. I don't know that the deal on this one is so good that you should jump at it. I would perhaps follow Jp's recommendation as an intermediate step to getting a Space Deck.