Your choice - TT, Arm, Stage, Cartridge - $5000 budget


So imagine you were just given ~$5000 and told to buy your ideal analog setup within that budget.

What would be your choice for turntable, arm, phono stage, and cartridge be? Any other accessories to consider?

How would you spend it?


Obviously I’m looking to upgrade my analog setup and am focusing on the essential components at this time. Curious how you would spend my money haha.

My current gear:
Amp - Primaluna Dialogue HP integrated w/ KT150 power tubes, Mullard and Cifte preamp tubes.
Loudspeakers - Tekton Design Double Impact

For sound,I like the idea of a balanced overall sound, and a big soundstage. But what I really enjoy most is the idea of exposing the holographic image in a recording.




128x128whacky
I would look for a used SME 10 turntable which comes with a tone arm for about $3,000 - $3,500. Look for a deal on a used phono preamp at about $1,000 - $1,500. Buy a $500 cartridge. The cartridge will wear out and you can upgrade it then. The turntable and phono preamp should be long term items.
Sorry, man, $5k is not enough for what you want to achieve. A little more, shall we?
I am definitely not above buying used on this one. Would almost prefer it to maximize the value. 

Aside from Agon and USAM, where else would you look for reliable used analog equipment? 
Reliable dealers, of course. I could tentatively recommend something but it could take a long time to find it used, something like SME that jperry recommended. You certainly want tube phono stage and very good cable and power cord. At this level I go for British tables, not Rega.
The Asylum is  another option, but much smaller scale.
Audioshark, I believe has a classified section.

Ive had good luck here. Do the legwork, and you'll find deals waiting.