Best Analog for $10K

*chakster*
I agree with you. The only thing that ultimately matters is if I love what I hear in my room.
I have found this thread useful because it's given me a place to start. I've been playing with digital for over 25 years. I know Nothing about analog. I purposely ignored it. Now, I need to start somewhere. 

Dear @iamgoodwithtools :  """  I want the best audio reproduction I can afford during that time. """

if that's true then you can honor your words up-grading your digital gear. Hi-res Streamers and today DACs are really great and not even for 20K LPs can not only outperforms it but not even today digital.

But it's not only about money but true/real knowledge level to make an nalog rig overll set ut for that analog rig could shows t its best nd tht knowledge levels takes to any one not weeks or months but yers of hard self lerning lessons. Have you the time an patience for that and from whom learn it? have you an idea what means whole analog set up knowledge and skills levels?

Is up to you .

R.

Chakster and I are in near complete agreement (see my post of  few days ago).  You need to know something about what YOU like or want out of a vinyl system.  For that, you might want to travel a bit and listen to as many different systems and combinations as possible, preferably systems that are otherwise similar to yours in type of speaker and choice of amplification.  (The systems you audition need not include the exact same amplifiers and speakers as yours, just equipment that is similar in type.) Keep a list of what you like and don't like.

Consider a second hand set up.

Audiophiles are often constant upgraders and you might be able to buy a turntable with cartridge for half price that someone set up properly and was happy with until upgraditis struck them, when they want to sell the existing rig to try something else

That way you might get a $20K rig for your $10K investment.

  I'm refering with analog to LPs, I'm not talking of analog tapes.

the LP has wider bandwidth, lower noise and lower distortion than tape. So this statement seems a bit conflicted.
@imgoodwithtools My recommendation is also the Technics SL1200G. This machine has the high end turntable industry shaking in its boots on account of Technics knows what they are doing and for a small manufacturer to do as well it would cost a bit more. The weak points of this machine are the platter pad and the arm (which is actually quite competent as tone arms go; but the 'table is nearly state of the art). This is going to gooble about 4K out of your budget. The Hana SH is a very nice and not crazy money moving coil cartridge that has spectacular reviews and would be a nice combo.

One thing to understand about analog: the ability of the arm to track the cartridge properly (which often has a lot to do with proper setup) is far more important than what cartridge you ultimately get. For this reason a less expensive cartridge can sound as good as a really expensive one if your setup is done correctly.

I recommend looking into a good tube phono section. Tip: a phono section has to be stable- if not it contributes significantly to ticks and pops.