Turntable getting back to vinyl

But idont care about speed adjustment or dj things....

I worry a lot about getting into vinyl at too low a quality point. I visited CAF over the weekend and the show was dominated by vinyl systems -- some of them were outstanding. The MoFi setup with the TADs was particularly amazing at "only" $2k for the table and cartridge, and $425 for their little phono stage.

But these 11-14 lbs turntables for under $1k are highly suspect to me. Are they really going to provide the resolution, sound stage and drive of these better tables?

I also recently had a dealer tell me that $4k is the approximate "bang-for-the-buck" target for a vinyl setup (table, arm, cartridge, phono stage and interconnects).

audio gods bear with me....why would i want a dj turntable? it is an aesthetic and philosophical turn off to me. I'm a pro musician (with serious high range hearing loss - but that is another story)

And isnt the cartridge more of a deciding factor for sound? 

I realize i am way out of my depth on this forum but i appreciate any advice.

Brian, Not recommending them because they are DJ tables but because they are good. Pioneer and AT have the resources to develop a good table at a good price and these fit that bang for the buck. If you are put off by the aesthetic, there are lots of pretty decent budget tables like the Rega RP1. Your other point about cartridges: a cheap good cartridge in a top tier table will sound better than an expensive cartridge in a cheap deck. It’s the physics. As you have lots if vinyl, my prediction is you will want to upgrade your possible budget table to one you are unwilling to invest in at this time.

Yes the cartridge is the most important part for sound quality, but if the arm is not good enough the cartridge cannot track properly (not to mention other issues). As for the drive system, you want it to be quiet (no rumble) with a stable speed (no wow and flutter). None of this is mechanically easy. Digital represented a real leap in quality (whatever romantic audiophiles may claim), and for a lower price.