Just retired and want to get back to vinyl listening

I plan to keep busy -- this project is just one of things I willspend time at.. I’ll not be doing music lessons - but I got a laugh from that ;-)

please don’t spoil my fun -- LOL

build.... thanks for the links..

glad to help, plus, I learned something myself.

One thing that hasn't come up - this thing is heavy. It's 62#. A rack with an MDF shelf isn't going to cut it. Hell, the shipping box weighs more than some amps, it's 3 layers of very heavy cardboard, and is 20# alone.......

L.

I think, all the equipment that you consider will give you a good sound. Whether you go with tubes or solid state is a dilemma, hard to decide when you can't compare side by side. If you need a stand alone phono stage, as a general recommendation I suggest tube phono with both tube and solid state integrated. Should be electrically and musically matched, of course. You don't want to save $1k on a phono stage, believe me, or your vinyl endeavour will fail. Phono stage is very very important. Though not familiar with it, it gets an excellent rating here among some members - Allnic 1201, the least expensive Allnic. You can get it from Albert Porter, a member and dealer, for about $2.7 new. Since you like Audio Note/DeVore sound this should be an excellent choice. There is also Manley Chinook for $2.4k new. It is different.
Another point. Good sound doesn't start with the equipment, it starts with the wall current. When you rent an appartment you will see that the current is very dirty and possibly the voltage is very unstable. I live in an apartment too, and without my PS Audio Power Plant Premier regenerator the system is unlistenable most of the time. There are now P5 and P10 regenerators that you might want to consider. The retail price is relatively high but you can get them for less.

Also, to a degree the regenerator will work as a motor controller for your turntable motor.