Turntable newbie info site?

I would find a Hi Fi store near you and find a sales person familiar with turntables. Have him show you what it is about then he can answer your questions in real time. He will try to sell you what is in the store. If he has several brands that may not be a bad thing because if you have problems you will have someone to lean on. Once you understand the basics then you can learn the fine details and apply them to your table. Down the road if you want a better table you will have a much better understanding of what you are looking for. Experience is always the best teacher.

Thanks chakster, 

I will seriously consider the Tetchnics SL1200G as it reminds me of my youth, listening to now "classic" rock.  What are the points in requiring a phono stage or not?  I will be using a McIntosh MX135 as a pre-amp for my system. Would the pre-amp or type of cartridge be some of the determining factors?

Good choice @ymc226 , especially the "G" model.

Your Mac has an MM phono input, so this is a good starting point, you can use some decent MM/MI cartridge and you don’t need an external phono stage, indeed. You can even add SUT (Step Up Trans) if you’re willing to use an LOMC cartridge with the same Mac Phono input. So you’re fine.

We’re looking for a better sound and this is the reason to try different phono stages or different cartridges when you're bored.

With Technics SL1200G you don’t have to worry about tonearms and stuff, the alignment of the cartridge in the headshell is so easy (there is an overhang gauge from technics).

We have many fans of Technics 1200G here, you will find so many comments, everybody happy.

Yes, totally in agreement with the comments expressed by chakster.

I wish someone had offered me similar advice decades ago. They probably did but my head was firmly stuck in the (totally misleading) advice offered by the UK magazines of the day.

You can spend an age getting to grips with turntable tech, ... or just go and buy the best Technics deck you can afford.

Wonderful machines.

I am feeling much more comfortable starting my TT experience with the Technics SL1200G and see that there is a very lightly used one for sale on the forum.  Getting close to purchasing it.  If I do, I will ask for advice on an initial "starter" cartridge.  Thanks again for all of the advice given.  I believe it has saved me time and money.