Do I need a pre-amp?

Lion

Not mentioned is you need a preamp for a moving magnet cartridge, not moving coil (you will run into both when looking for phono preamps). If you buy the setup in your link.

Moving magnet cartridges (the device that plays the record, mounted in the end of the tonearm) generally put out higher voltages (nominally 3-5 milli-volts or .003-.005 volts at 1 KHz) and are therefore able to use phono preamps that are a bit cheaper.

Moving coil cartridges generally put out a lot lower voltage (a factor of 0.1 or 10% of the MM) and therefore need a much lower noise (ergo more expensive) phono preamp.

Some phono preamps can handle both MM and MC cartridges.

Moving magnet cartridges are sensitive to cable capacitance so you should be aware of this when you buy a phono preamp, as its input capacitance adds to the cable capacitance (of the cables from the cartridge through the tonearm to the phono preamp) to "load" the cartridge. The cartridge manufacturer will specify the recommended load capacitance. If you are too far from recommended ranges, the sound may be affected.

Now, aren't you glad you are getting into vinyl?

I have owned a SG-3 since 1983. It was a great starter turntable then and if in good condition still today. As stated above, you will need a phonostage. I would stick to the moving magnet type cartridge as there are greater choices in carts and stages within your budget. Good luck in your search.

I think, you are looking in the right direction when you say that your analog set-up should not be weaker than your speakers. At least. Turntable isolation/resonance control is very important, even more so since you are using a subwoofer.
You might also consider older direct drive Technics with, say, Grado Gold cartridge. Just a thought. You can probably get for $100-$150 acceptable used phono pre-amplifier for Moving Magnet cartridge.
And you will want reasonably clean records and stylus, or all this will be for nothing.

I really appreciate everyone's valuable advice to help me get into the vinyl game. I am very excited for some rich, analog tuneage.

Would people recommend NAD for a phono stage? Recommendations on good lower-end units here would be much appreciated. My plan is to stick to a moving magnet cartridge.

Also, since it's often hard to tell the condition of a used turntable via the interwebs, would you say it's generally safer to stick to a modern edition, like a Rega vs the older Sonographe? I realize it's hard to make such a generalization but just curious on your thoughts.

I'm having trouble imagining a guy who uses an AVR and wants the bother of vinyl. A good digital source would seem more fitting.

db