Where do I start?

Make sure that your processer's "phono" input is a real phono input and not just a line input labeled phono. If it really is phono it's almost certainly a moving magnet input so make sure whatever table you get that the cartridge is MM, or if it's MC get either a step up or just a seperate MC phono stage. Happy listening!

I am starting from scratch, again. My budget would be in the $1000 range for the table and set up. No set budget for albums. I'll just keep building.I listen to a variety of music. Rock, jazz and blues mostly. But not limited to those.

My equipment consist of Sherbourne amp & proc. Paradigm Studio surround system. 40v3 for fronts a rears.

Should more money go towards the cartridge or table. Or should there be a balance. I'm also sure as this progresses, I will be upgrading in a couple of years. Hopefully anyway.

Thanks to all who help.

PS Sorry Sean. I'm in Tampa. The Bulls refers to the University of South Florida. Beware to the rest of the nation, in a couple years there will be 4 football powerhouses from Fl. USF football is young (10yrs) and growing. (Sorry for the little outburst. The season is just getting started.)

For a $1K budget you should definitely consider a used table and arm. They're plentiful enough on both A'gon and ebay, though in general I'd trust an A'gon seller more. Used cartridges are riskier business, so unless the table comes with one I'd go with new.

Put the large majority of your $1K into the table/arm, at least 80%. At any level up to at least $4-5K it is a mistake to overspend on cartridges. A too-revealing cartridge typically displays any shortcomings in the rig. OTOH, an inexpensive cartridge on a good rig will have the support and stable environment it needs to perform its best. I'm not spouting theory BTW. This is based on real experiments with mismatched equipment. Good table/cheap cartridge is almost always better than the other way around.

In addition, since your phono stage is rather suspect and you don't have the budget to improve it, you won't hear most of what an expensive cartridge can do anyway. I'd upgrade the phono stage before I'd consider spending serious money on a cartridge.

P.S. Set aside some money for record cleaning and setup tools.

Great stuff Doug. Thanks very much.