3k budget for Turntable and Phono Noob- do I need external power supplies?

Here’s the $14. Pyle Phono

Ridiculous, Sounds like I do, but I don’t love cheap sound, after rejecting several in a row, I find reading reviews and price does not mean much, use your ears.

I have used it while searching, and loaned it to several friends until they settle on something they try, all shocked at how good it sounds, until they FINALLY find something they like. It’s always good to have a spare setup when something goes wrong.

I had a highly respected McIntosh CC28 SS Preamp, hated the sound of it’s MM Phono. I preferred the AT120’s dinky built in optional phono eq. I now love my McIntosh MX110z Tube Tuner/Preamp MM Phono EQ sound, and use a SUT for my MC so I can continue to use the MX110z for the RIAA EQ and Gain.

I used the Pyle temporarily up here, rejected several, finally found I really like the MM built into the little Luxman Tube Integrated in my office. It has a single setting for MC, never tried an MC cartridge up here, now I might.

I have my NOS AT440ml MicroLine on Aluminum here tracking at 1.25g. My new to me used AT160ml is MicroLine shape on Beryllium Cantilever, also tracks at only 1.25g, I just realized, I am sitting dead center, amazing imaging out of these restored AR-2ax speakers, I’m gonna listen to/compare other cartridges up here. The Mitsubishi LT5V Vertical TT is Linear Tracking, very easy to adjust tracking weight, no anti-skate involved here.

just to show OP, I have ’gotten into it’, assembled this TT with 3 Tonarms, had 2500LPs, inherited 4,000 more LPs, sold over 2,000, need to sell more.

Near instant comparisons of my friends and my cartridges: I can play with all 3 arms simultaneously in the groove, and choose which arm on the SUT’s 3 inputs. Henry posted a video of his similar JVC TT showing no drag effect as he lowered 1,2,3 Quartz Locked Direct Drive keeps speed perfect

Music Hall Stealth DD table with universal mount tonearm, VTA adjust and 2M Blue cart. Add a Schiit Mani2 And some interconnects all for under $2K.  Buy a spare headshell and a Sumiko Bluepoint 3 LOMC for an option…$2500.00. Then, listen to music. Unspent money can go to more carts and headshells, vinyl, or a cleaner.

MoFi Ultradeck + cartridge on sale 1k off, excellent sonic buy.  Many great reviews. 

thanks very much

thus far the advice seems clear, put my money into the equipment first

I'll do just that

is it worth considering the various Project balanced setups?

I do much prefer running into the XLRs on my amp generally speaking

I tried a balanced connection with a Thorens TD1600, an AT-OC9XML, and Pro-Ject PhonoBox DS3.  I didn’t find it to be superior in any way.  When I switched to a Technics SL100C with unbalanced connections, I got lower noise with all my cartridges.  Not a panacea, at least in my experience.