LP's... Do they sound better now than 30 yrs ago?

As for gear, someone already mentioned the bullet proof Rega Planar 2, I'd add the RP3 as well, these are plentiful on the 2nd hand market, and while not everybody's favorite, they are easy to keep tuned up unlike some finicky sprung turntables. They give a great sound, just make sure your support is not prone to vibrate, a reasonable cart like the Denon 110 will sound great and you can upgrade the tonearm wires (RB250/300), replace the the mat, and sub-platter  as you want later. (These are manual so if you need a tonearm lifter get a Thorens Q-Up to stick on).

Thanks for all the input! I think I wont waste my money on a 2-300 TT. I will save up and buy something better. Sounds like I would be better off buying old lps that are in good shape! Thanks Again! More Input would be fine!

@markmendenhall - there are plenty of threads here and on other fora that sing the praises of US cleaning. I've owned both the Audio Desk and the KL. But, since I'm buying a lot of old records, particularly UK and EU post psych stuff, circa 1967-71 or so, I need the ability to clean out groove grunge that, in my experience, ultrasonic alone doesn't always effectively accomplish. I use US cleaning in combination with a vacuum machine, and for problem records, use a fairly strong cleaner- AIVS #15, followed by a pure water rinse. My next ultrasonic will be a DIY, because it offers more flexibility.  Many of the DIY US adherents get in way cheaper than the made for LP machines, but I'm after the feature set and flexibility. I use a point nozzle type vacuum machine, which doesn't have some of the issues that the more conventional wand type vacuum machines do. Rushton Paul wrote what I think is a seminal article posted elsewhere on this site, synthesizing his learning from a very lengthy thread on DIYaudio on US cleaning machines; he also experimented with filtration, a pump, and chemistry (the surfactant that breaks surface tension of the water and enhances cavitation). Well worth reading in my estimation. 

Thank you whart, so if a good scrubbing using a VPI 16.5 for example results in a an improvement in album playback from a zero (very dirty album but one in good condition otherwise) to a 6.5 or 7 on a scale of 1-10, where does the needle move towards a perfect 10 using a good ultrasonic cleaner in addition to the mechanical cleaning?   

Do not scrubb - soak with good fluid, you are pushing dirt deeper into the groove.