how much should I spend to get a better turntable than my current turntable?

Here is the problem:

• If you want to buy a good boombox, today there is NOTHING.
• If you want to buy a good cassette deck, today there is NOTHING.

So, I recommend you buy a vintage turntable from the golden age.

Dual 1019 is the workhorse turntable of 1965-1980 (mine), all steel, never breaks.

Technics SL-1200 is the workhorse turntable of 1980-2000.  If not Technics, then audio-technica or yamaha or another well-known japanese brand.

Don’t bother with a modern turntable, all that is available are mass-produced dime-store manual turntables with nice finishes for less than $1500, and golden-ear turntables for the low, low price of only $20,000!

I prefer the Dual 1019, an idler-drive turntable. It’s a fully automatic/manual do-it-all turntable which supports 18, 33, 45, 78 rpm, supports 33rpm changers, supports 45pm CHANGERS [can’t touch this]. The original MSRP equates to $1300 in today’s dollars and it was a #1 seller so you get the benefits of a good design and mass-produced goodness. Dual was the go-to german turntable for truly high-end-hifi used by millions of system - accept no substitutes. The 1019 is top-of-the-line for 10" platter turntables. The 12-series is also good with 12" platters (no heavier) but more bulky. Good models of the 1019 in fully-restored condition are available for $500-$1000, and they will last you 20y+ of daily usage.

I know people who use $400 TVs and spend $1000/yr on cable TV. That’s ridiculous! You should save up and spend AT LEAST one year’s worth of annual cable subscription on the TV! How about spending a week’s worth worth of vinyl (8 hrs/day, $22/album, ~70 albums) on a turntable? So save up and get closer to $1500 for a budget, and allot $100-$200 for a cartridge. I’m not saying spend $1500 for certain, but $299 is definitely a throw-away turntable using play-money just bought simply to see if can spin.

For the least amount of money I believe the U-Turn Orbit is an excellent option. At their lowest price they don’t even have a cue lever, but you can pick the custom configuration and choose exactly what matters to you. On the other hand you could go with an Audio-Technica AT-LP120, which comes in a few different versions. Those offer quick cartridge replacement via a removable headshell. I know Audio-Technica turnables aren't very popular with us audiophile types, but I do believe they're are made well enough that you could put a very expensive cartridge (hundreds of $) on them and still not be off balance with allocation of funds. Neither of these turntables look like cherishable heirlooms, but I think they both sound excellent and that you'd be hard pressed to tell them from much more expensive models when they're behind a curtain.

I don’t have a budget. I have credit cards, the way they work is that they make your budget look flexible. I would like to try ones that I can potentially return, if I am unhappy.

My CFO may approve $400.

Can I buy used?

I listen to mostly used albums.

My system is very modest, cost less than most people’s cable’s here.

MF A3.2 AMP

Dynaudio Evoke 20

above turntable

I do not like the technics look. I like most of the suggestions above. I am a big fan of Dual

I tend to agree with @systembuilder22  about the classic vintage. However the problem there is that many of us have had those tables earlier in life and wore them out. So, unless you get one that has been rebuilt, its like buying a 1978 Chevy Malibu with 325,000 miles and expecting it to be reliable transportation.

OTOH you have a $400 TT now and for another $400 you may end up in the same dilemna with a different name. I'd look on Ebay or Reverb, etc to see if you can find a rebuilt classic. I have seen some in those places but they don't show up much on Agon Or USAM

My Dual 1019 was a Bay-Area craigslist bargain, $300 (includes Shure m55e cartridge which is the same stylus and mechanism as Shure V15 type 1). It was in like-new condition, but no accessories (i dumped about $150 into ebay for accessories, including 10-record changer, 45 rpm adapter, radio shack dust shield, spare headshell, spare 3x7 elliptical stylus PM3125DE, not as good as the 2x7 original stylus.) If can’t find a good dual then with $400 maybe just go with audio technica, preferably used. I don’t think you can go wrong with them.

P.S. Panasonic was my first love, my first and second radio. I love panasonic and therefore, technics, too.  They truly brought hifi to the masses!