Getting back into venal with a $2,000 budget.

@simao 'Getting Back into venal Vinyl' is the Thread Topic.

The OP is not looking to experience a New Medium, they are inquiring about getting back on board to use a known Source Medium within a particular budget. There is also made known a Historical owned Vinyl LP collection in their possession. 

As they are with an experience of the Dark Material, reminding them along withbthe odd set up recommendation of a few additional necessities to add to the Alchemy is no harm to enter into the mix.

Is there really a suggestion put forward that has substantially increased the constraints made known for the OP's Budget ? I don't see one.

The OP might alternatively go to Streaming, their evaluation process is quite broad at present, so being too fixated on one Source Medium is not really where the Thread is focused on.   

Your report of a positive outcome from a change of budget allowance for your present set up will undoubtedly be encouraging. 

@litespeedaudio I had a Rega P3 with the Elys cartridge for a while. I was somewhat underwhelmed by it. I was also somewhat put off by feeling locked into Rega cartridges. However, it gets rave reviews from many many other sources and users here. 

I have the P3 w/ the Exact 2 cartridge and love it. It's improved the listening enjoyment of my vinyl and it left some cash on the table that I can put toward other component upgrades down the road.