Complete vinyl system, TT to speakers, for $1500?

Here’s a system I own and it sounds stellar. Being a musician, I know what music should sound like. Orbit w/Grado Black-$450. Proton D540 integrated amp (high current. 6db of headroom. Sister company to NAD back in the mid ’80’s) $159. Dahlquist DQ10 $375 Found the 10's on FB Marketplace!!! Mint and one owner.. I also have an older JVC CD player....$5 at a garage sale. That’s under 1K and I’d put it up against any $5K system of today. But not feasible for a tiny apartment in Japan. But it can be done.

Look for a Japanese brand name integrated with an MM input. Denon does one for around 400-500 US. Add a Project or Rega (buy here, ship there) entry level TT, she can then add a pair of good bookshelf speakers and be right in that range. Cart swaps etc. can be done if desired at a later date. The integrated amplifier start gives room to grow if desired.

Something like this automatic turntable with built-in optional RIAA

https://www.turntablelab.com/collections/automatic-turntables-turntables-with-automatic-operation/products/pioneer-pl-30-k-automatic-turntable

An integrated Amp, already in Japan

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165033979424?hash=item266ccaae20%3Ag%3Aan4AAOSwlQddTTC-&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4LdsFKcPj80OgidQPACkhx0fJiZwhRVurCajSw3DxMpVq%2FBMagaTEoAhFQ3pdjSrjB4uRyX1a6YCAL5SAeiG8OE9rzcqC8d3G2e62V%2FGDbMAlxPSwlp2aXNBaFYKy9jR41wp7Yx79lHJpbADLUkqMq%2BWIqfbGVQZ7Ki2I%2FclKO0%2BKxCM7JZjUJoDzRg0ueKZ7Ehzmr2VLo%2F7WTF4fzo1u8dn5IdKj8s%2FxDuvSNPY41ruGojcR6Qubqlba9gTrCTh1SLHLW5f%2BZigQmJ5nJ84rsEOHLwSqpQc%2FsqvGDO0OR0c%7Ctkp%3ABFBMsPe39JBi&LH_ItemCondition=1000

balance of budget: pick a pair of efficient speakers that fit the space/visual preference/NO PORTS!

Elliott (and anyone else), I am not recommending used equipment of any kind for this novice. I may suggest the idea to her, but I doubt she’d be interested. If I suggest a specific used item for her to buy, I’d then feel responsible if a problem arose. Since I am now 7600 air miles from Tokyo, that would be frustrating. She’s best off with new gear she can buy from a local dealer, with a warranty. I know you mean well,  and I thank you for your efforts.

Here’s a question: self powered and maybe also wireless speakers are a great space saving idea. The question is whether such speakers can be driven adequately by the output of a phono built into a cheap TT or an inexpensive outboard phono stage, like the iFi Zen, which I did see on sale in Tokyo.

HI Lewm -

The TT should have a built in phono preamp (like the Audio Technics 120 and any number of other TT's).

The TT would be a line input to the powered speakers, so the power output of the amplifiers (most likely Class D) inside the speakers would determine how loud it would play.  

Don't let the relative inexpensive price tag throw you.  These powered speakers/ TT systems sound pretty decent for what they are.  

Rich