I would like to get into Turntables but ......... HELP!

try a vintage store in your area and dip your feet into vinyl with a good vintage table set up buy the shop. save some money and get more for it. then when your ready you can upgrade.

Turntables are all over the board, from the USB 'plug 'n plays' to ones rivaling the $ of a new BMW (well, the 'entry level' ones, anyway...).

Budget first.  Then, consider what you're going to be playing on it.  Your old stash of LP's or some new acquires that you'd like to keep 'newish'.

What are you connecting it to?   Something 'modest', or perhaps a bit more 'audiophile'?  If you've perused these forums, I'll assume you've noted the nearly mind-numbing parade of variables in this regard...;)

'Vintage'...  I found a mint Garrard Z100 with a decent Shure cartridge in a local thrift shop for 20$.  You bet I gave it a new home, treated it to a new stylus, and viola'...I use it manually, although the 'auto' function still works.

As a tangential tracking fan, I couldn't resist. *G*  Not strictly 'audiophile', but not bad for the $.

The suggestions above are all solid and quite apt....but, ultimately, think about where you'd like to re-enter the wonderful whirl'd of the licorice pizza. ;)

it's troll big time (like to respond like ebm sometimes)

Thanks for all the help! I bought Robert Harley's book. I will start there. Thanks Again!

RSA - I would recommend the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Esprit SB

http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Debut-Carbon-Esprit-DC-Black_5?sc=2&category=352

For the money you get some advanced technology like the acrylic platter and the DC motor - the arm is also very good and there is a selection of colours (if tat's your thing)

Your pre-amp is probably best suited to moving magnet (mm) cartridges, but there are now some really good high output moving coil (mc) cartridges available - just make sure they compliant with the project arm.

You can contact Project for cartridges that are compatible with that arm.

Personally I like moving coil, but the more recent moving magnet carts are also great performers.

It’s a great TT to start out with and will last you many years

As for the terms - there is a wealth of info on audiogon and doing a search will reap a pile of information
- e.g. search for "Tone Arm Compliance" and the first result was this thread
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/what-defines-a-high-compliance-cartridge-vs-low?highlight=ton...

As you will see you get much more information than what was in the simple search criteria 

I've learned more from Audiogon than any book.

Regards - Steve