turntable choice

I agree:
2. With respect to your budget $400 is too low. I would continue to save and get that budget up a bit higher because you need a few things:
1. a turntable
2. a cartridge 
3. a stylus brush 
4. a record brush
5. a phono preamp (either separate or built in to the turntable. I recommend the former as it can be upgraded and usually is of better quality)
6. phono cables and a ground cable

3. Concur with U-Turn Audio as a good entry level option.
4. You may have to wait a bit more, but Schiit is going to be coming out with their Sol turntable which as per the rear of the gear, will likely be good bang for the buck. 
Good luck!

+vintage over new in your budget way more bang for the buck. 

In the Pro-Ject line, I would not go any lower than the Debut Carbon Esprit SB. Big benefit is the built in speed box and acrylic platter. But that's a couple hundred over your budget. It's a solid entry level TT. But I found the included Ortofon 2M Red cart way too bright. When I had one, I swapped out the Ortofon for a Nagaoka MP110. So another $100 there.

$400 isn't a lot to get started with. Might be better to wait and buy a better TT, otherwise you may be upgrading it in 6 months.

brianwillson
 I recently purchased the Music Hall MMF 2.2 from Music Direct for $225.00 on sale, from $450.00. This table has a Project arm and I believe the table and arm is made in the same factory that makes the turntable you are considering. I also believe they are quite similar. The included cartridge with the 2.2 stunk and I replaced it with the Grado Black. I also purchased the acrylic platter and this along with the Grado cartridge made the 2.2 listenable. Of the 4 turntables that I have inherited or purchased since getting back into vinyl after 35 years, (Music Hall 2.2, Onkyo cp1280f (DD), Harmon Kardon t65c and the Marantz tt15s1) I really believe the value or the best table for the money are the two vintage tables. (Onkyo and HK) The Harmon Kardon that I purchased for $270.00 off craigslist combined with a Denon DL110 is my favorite table. (The Marantz tt15s1 is no slouch either) In its day the HK received the nickname the "poor man's Linn Sondeck". Harmon Kardon also made the t55c and t60c. All are nice vintage units.  If you must buy something new, I agree with roberjerman, the Pioneer PLX 1000 with a Denon DL 103 or 103r would be a nice combination. If you need to stay in the under $400 category I would look at a vintage table. If I had it to do all over again I'd bypass the new entry level tables. The vintage tables have the look and feel of a quality made product.
However, a lot of us are just like my 19 year old son...hard headed... me included!
Best of luck with your audio journey!

I had a Debut III that I switched out the cartridge for a Grado Blue. The dreaded Grado hum was the result. Maybe the Debut Carbons don't have that problem. I found the Ortofon 2M Red was a decent upgrade, instead.