Here are a few thoughts, in no particular order, from someone who, like you, is just beginning his journey. Forgive me if these are redundant, obvious, or unhelpful in your view. First, learn to do as much as you can for yourself. Unless you are blessed with a wise, benign, and patient local technician whose tastes are remarkably aligned with yours, you will be best served by gradually becoming proficient with all aspects of table maintenance. Learning this on a reasonably priced Rega with its straightforward design is not a bad idea. Be careful of making big investments in the hope of realizing huge improvements, and then being too intimidated by your complicated, expensive equipment to try adjustments. This pursuit rewards attention, and I don't mean constantly fiddling with tweaks and gadgets, but slowly learning the fundamental mechanics. You will hear confident opinions from everyone; try to confirm these yourself, and not be seduced by pretty language or passionate excitement. I don't mean that other people are malicious, devious, or wrong, but they are other people, for whom truth, beauty, and soul may take different shapes. Even you, at various times, may respond very differently to certain things.