Equal $$ for Phono OR Streaming?

If you got the amp model right it already contains a MM phono section (is it any good?).

He could easily do both with a budget of $4-$6K if streaming is not high ticket for decent/good quality (know ZIP about streaming).

My vintage TT/arm isn't crap and cost around $200/used 20 years ago (might sell for 5+ times that now).

Gobs of new/highly reviewed TT's available (Technics, Rega et cetera) well within the stated budget.

Hopefully he will not require an "isolation table" for the deck, LOL.

Streaming could be used for convenience and for finding new hard copy source material (AKA music).

DeKay

To avoid the which is better debate, I am trying to delimit it to his price range for the central gear. As I said, he's open to buying records, the rituals, etc. He wants to know what core gear is capable of within the $4-6k limits.

Well then give him the info: Decware ZP3, Benz Glider (medium output), any $3k turntable. Any. Grand total under $6k. Done.
The guy has a pretty nice amp and speakers. If he gets digital he will think it sounds pretty good. With Decware and Glider he will think why did I wait so long this is incredible where can I find more records???!

That’s what it is capable of. $6k worth of analog like is a game changer. Oh, and one other thing you might want to mention to your friend. Five years from now, when he gets the urge to upgrade, depending on what analog gear he got it will be worth about what he paid for it. But if he buys digital, sorry, does not matter what he bought, darn near worthless at that point.

A sad reality we all know, but he more than likely does not. Every five or ten years digital becomes worthless, probably because that is how long it takes people to get over the cognitive dissonance of having spent six large on crap. Hold onto a turntable long enough, darn thing may actually go up. Some people hate to even acknowledge this, but it is true. You want to be a real friend, you will warn him off crap and into quality.

It is a strong word, I have no regrets of having used it. But this thread is not about this debate.
If the man wants to embark on the analogue journey he will have my full support. But it must be done right or there will be more disappointment than satisfaction. Digital has been improving so perhaps it will do in this case, I can’t know. I play analogue whenever I can, the rest has to be digital. So yes, having both is best.

I'd add, if it hasn't been added already, that listening habits have a big impact on what will be a satisfying listening experience for a given individual.

You cannot approach analog sound with streaming if you play music at a volume and with a level of attention that I would characterize as "true audiophile." But if you want to play music at lower volumes while you're involved in other, perhaps more engaging (for your friend) activities, then I'd say spend a few hundred on a decent DAC and use the rest on something more important.

IOW - analog is really for people who are pretty serious about the hobby. If you're friend is serious that's absolutely the way to go. If he decides ultimately he's not all that serious then he's probably more mentally healthy than the rest of us and might find that the money is better spent on something that brings him more joy.

I’ve been an audiophile since about 1972, with a Dual 1215S/Shure M91E/Sansui 2000x/Advents and went up the chain to Audio Research, C-J, Dahlquists, etc. Vinyl all the way, until the last 15 months or so. Aurender N100H+ Schiit Yggdrasil GS for about $4300 new blows away my vinyl, sorry. And, I am easily able to discover new music and remasters of the music I know. I am working my way through the marvelous Betty Boards recordings of the Grateful Dead on high res Tidal, no way I could do that with vinyl. Starting with the Bluesound Node is not a bad idea, especially as the controlling software is so bulletproof