Turntable noobie...what advice do you have?

Thank you everyone for the fantastic advice.  It has been very positive and I really appreciate it.  

As a nerd, I tend to research things before I pull the trigger.  The RPM-3 with the Amethyst seemed to be decently reviewed yet not break the bank.  Plus I like the like of that turntable, especially in red (which is what I am getting).  Not a traditional thing but certainly an attention getter.  

I haven't used a record player for close to 40 years and then it was usually in a plastic suitcase and playing an Alvin and Chipmunks record.  This should be a wee bit different of an experience. Also used my parent's 8 track back then and there is no way I will get one of those even if they start to make a comeback (I really hope not). 

I have ordered a sweeper and will look at getting a cleaner in short order. I will admit I read some posts last nights about a Degritter Ultra Sonic and while it seems great, the price seemed rather steep for someone starting out.  The Record Doctor seems more in line for where I am at and what the rest of my equipment is.  At least for now anyway. Since I do a lot of other stuff by hand, like making coffee, I may start cleaning the records that way as well but I want to get more familiar with them before I do. 

 I will be reading through Goldmine Grading Guide after this so I can be more informed about what I am looking at when I go used.  I will also be taking a look at Discogs.  I had mentioned Music Millennium and was planning a trip down there this weekend. But it looks like I have some other stops to make thanks to some locals who know about shops around town I didn't have a clue existed.  

Thanks again for everything thus far.  I have been trying to give back to the community so I have posted a review of my Statements and plan on doing one of the the Voyager GAN amp when it has more hours on it.  I will do the same with the turntable, cartridge, and phone preamp when things start to settle in a bit.  

Biggest and best tip:

Don't buy reissues. If possible buy used original...especially pre-90s.

I bought an 180gram 'audiophile' reissue of a popular Billy Joel album. Came home to find that I had a used version I bought at the Goodwill for 50¢. The thin, floppy 50¢ version killed that reissue!

There are good sounding reissues, but whenever there us an analog original version...most likely...it will be better.

I have reissues that sound almost as good...maybe a few that have been better...but that is very much the exception.

Regarding cleaning, I agree that new vinyl should be cleaned, used as well. I’ve got both ends of the spectrum in terms of cleaning, a Spin-Clean and The Audio Desk Vinyl Cleaner… I actually use the Spin Clean more. If I’m cleaning a few new records it’s the Spin Clean. If I’m doing a lot, or it’s been awhile, I’ll use the big daddy cleaner. It’s actually not good to clean your records too often. Once done, they just get the usual brush etc. works just fine. Careful with stylus cleaning agents, many cart makers advise to not use them, check the manual. Other than that, buy records, have fun. Some will be great, some not so much. You might have to return one here or there. The sky is the limit for analog these days. For now, enjoy what you have!

Karajan's Ring, Barenboim and Dupre playing anything, Bruno Coulis Norbu, Agaetis Byrjun. There are a few starters for you.

@mijostyn 

How right you are about obsession with record cleaning.

I have had a Nitty Gritty Auto for more than 30 years.  I have 4000+ albums but I now rarely have to clean one.  When I buy an LP (used and new) I play it.  If it is noisy I clean it.  When I got the Nitty Gritty I bought three 50-packs of Nagaoka inner sleeves I use to identify cleaned records. I have been on the last pack for around 10 years now.

I think other posts are correct that the amount and perceived volume of surface noise can depend on the turntable, platter and mat materials particularly.  If you feel you have too much noise, you can experiment with this.

I really don't hear surface noise on my records even listening between tracks with the volume up.  Do other people eat dinner off their albums?

@laoman 

Don't buy Karajan's Ring.  Buy Solti.  It's a better performance and it's on vintage Decca so the recording and pressing quality is second to none.  In the stupid early 90s era when new and used LPs were almost free, I bought a second copy  just because it was it was nearly unused and priced at just £15 or less than £1 per disc.

When choosing albums from the golden era it is worth being picky about label.  As just one example early Rolling Stones and Beatles were on Decca and EMI vinyl respectively.  Both were top quality then, the vinyl I mean.  But even on this material the SQ on Decca is easily recognisable as superior.  Listen to Aftermath, UK pressing.  With 53 minutes of music jammed on one disc the SQ on my 1966 first pressing is brilliantly clear and detailed.  Better than on Revolver 1966, also my original pressing, which is itself pretty good.  By the way, I've had these two 55 years and played them a fair bit and they aren't noisy.  I've never cleaned either of them - no Nagaoka sleeves.

But I agree about Barenboim/Dupre.