Want to add vinyl to my system.

I think its a dandy idea!  Best move I ever made, did it in 2006.

Started with a budget of around 6k and got a Basis 1400 table, rega.300 arm, Sumiko blackbird cart, Audio Research ph5, a VPI Cleaning machine, and record clamp.  These are the essentials you will need to get started - plenty of options out there.  Blew my digital away and I was off and running.

I've since upgraded everything and stayed in the Basis line.

Two ways to look at this imho

1) buy starter gear, all well known ( aka the stuff in the mags at the moment ), maybe used if quality is certain, and enjoy...knowing resale wont be a long process and upgrades are coming someday.

2) do a lot of research, more listening ( travel if need be ), decide what your top budget is and what you prefer, and then add 20% to the budget and go for a long term system :)

In any case do it! Spinning records is great fun.

You can't go wrong with the Rega. If you want a heavy platter: AVID or Pro-Ject (Signature 10 is gorgeous) 

Enjoy yourself!

Great for you to be taking the plunge into vinyl 👍

Lot’s of great recommendations and yes, a fully optioned out Rega 8 or 10 would be a game over solution if you keep it in the Rega ecosystem with premium cartridge & phono pre.

FWIW though, I’m amazed at what $2k worth of cartridge and phono preamp can deliver these days in the form of an Audio Technica AT33PTG/II into a Sutherland TZ Vibe when optimized with a suitable adjustable turntable/tonearm system. Just refrain from using any cheap coaxial hookup cable/wire that’s inductive - current delivery is the ticket here.

Examples of adjustable turntables could be Pro-Ject or Technics including a 1200G with a replacement tungsten polymer record mat 🎶

Game on instead game over 😉