Turntable advice

$5K is real money so hopefully you can listen to options rather just following suggestions from us Internet forum slobs!

Most HiFi is priced at different cost vs performance points. At the lower end doubling the investment will reveal real improvement. But the more you spend the weirder the relationshio between cost and sound quality gets. 
 

So, if you have access to audio stores I would audition kit at your budget plus kit below and above your budget. Does the cheaper stuff really sound poorer to you? Does the expensive stuff blow you away or does it reveal a bad land mine you will be thankful of avoiding?

Trust your ears and enjoy the journey…

Topping A90 Discrete headphone amp ($599) is a best recommendation. 

My suggestion would be to look at a used VPI Classic 1 with a JMW arm, which tend to hit the market used for around $2K or less. It is truly a high-performer with a 20lb aluminum platter and very heavy plinth. The tonearm tracks very well, and the whole turntable can be upgraded - tonearms, footers, clamps, etc.

For cartridges, I would look for an Audio Technica ART9 xi. Best cartridge around $1K hands down, the only cartridges I liked after owning the ART9 cost $5K+. This though would require you to have a moving coil phono stage.

For phono and amp, if you do not look into a speaker amplifier, then look into the Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 and Woo Audio WA7 fireflies which is an incredible tube headphone amp with a great built in DAC. 

If you play your cards right you should be able to get all this for less than $5K, but you may need to leave a little extra for quality cables as these components will absolutely require them for optimal performance. 

Technics 1200GR.  Build quality is superb, and adjustments can’t get any easier.  $1700