Just retired and want to get back to vinyl listening

Just tagging in. there is too much good input here to pass this thread up.

Well, I happen to think this thread has an incredible amount of bad information. One poster says "Tekton DI's are all the rage these days and many people are selling their far more expensive speakers for them", and suggests they merit strong consideration. For F’s sake, whatever the hell you do, avoid the flavor of the month on forums like this one. There’s always an easy way and the right way. The right way here is to audition gear on your own after studying the various tried and true, ENDURING means of achieving good sound. There are only a set amount of tried and true paradigms; high power solid state with inefficient full range speakers, moderate British style solid state with stand mount monitors, SET and low power tube amps with horns or highly efficient easy to drive speakers, high power solid state with planars, etc. One poster just wrote;

Electronics is another thing, there should be no difference.

Nothing could be further from the truth. An indisputable truism; everything matters and electronics sound markedly different. Nothing will kill a system more effectively than mediocre electronics. You are better off with 10K worth of electronics and a $500 pair of well designed stand mounts than a pair of expensive speakers and cheap mediocre electronics.
I feel like sysyphus rolling the rock uphill sometimes and surely sound like the parody of a prophet in Monty Python’s "Life of Brian". You are retired and you presumably worked hard to get to the place you are at. Time is important but shortcuts will kill all enthusiasm. Travel to three retailers with diverse lines and listen to what each have to say and play for you and formulate real-world opinions first hand. You came to the wrong place for good advice. Discount mine as well as need be.

$10k electronics/$500 speakers is definitely better than the other way around. I think, if everything was bought new today I have a $15k/$3k situation including all cables and cords. Not as extreme and not stand mount speakers.
Some people do give good advice, it is not all or nothing.

Thanks all for the discussion...

I think I’m going down a reasonable path and balance for a restart in this hobby to enjoy some music.. I do not think I’ll get to the stage of say the "cartridge" discussion level of expertise details.. some of the discussions go further than my current needs, but are helpful in seeing what other say. I expect I will stay with an integrated amp for a long time - just not sure I will get to complete separates.

I’ve gone to 2 places here in VA just prior to the move.. felt comfortable enough to buy the starting new TT - arm - cartridge clearaudio setup -- I plan to go to some other place in the Northwest after I get moved and settled as I work to may final choices on other parts of the setup.. the thread illustrates what I’ve auditioned. I pick up the TT setup today, but for some hours in the shop it will be setup for some extend listening with Devore speakers and a few different integrated amps in my last audition prior to hitting the road for spokane next week.. I have the time to do some more auditioning, but it will require many hours of travel from where I will be living

Fson... in your paradigms - where are the Luxman - Accuphase SS class A types fit -- These are SS but do not seems all that "powerful" relative to most of the other SS offerings

again thanks all for the info and advice

so far $3200 for TT - arm - cartridge....