Advice and recommendations needed for a turntable rig...

Effischer. Thanks man, you always have great TT advice. And of course, thanks to others here as well who have much, much more knowledge than me. I am looking into VPI, Technics, SOTA, Fluance and even will check out getting the old Dual fixed up. Also will look into the proper phono stage and getting a good cartridge.

The Sutherland KS VIBE ($900.00) should fit the bill. The Grado OPUS 3 ($300.00). Any of the new Technics tables! Pass on those older Duals!

I agree with the go slow crowd.  Just because you have 3.5K in the budget doesn’t mean that you need to spend it.  Vinyl can be a PITA and once you have had the novelty of playing your new collection you might find yourself not going there.

  I wouldn’t bother with an included phono stage, as that is usually a major sonic compromise.  I would get solid entry level.  Get a decent moving magnet cartridge on a decent belt table.  My CA mm only phono stage was good value at around $200.  I prefer a Direct Drive table but you seem to lead in the other direction, but you should be able to score a decent weighty-belt drive with good mm cartridge for about $1K, especially if you go used.  That should be a high level performance.  If after a decent trial you want to upgrade if you stay with mm cartridge then the phono amp can still be used.

  If you break the cantilever on a mc cartridge trying to clean or change the cartridge, it’s a problem.  With an mm cartridge you probably just need to replace the stylus.  Just saying 

Great reviews on the music hall stealth direct drive turntable...$1699. Paired with music hall's own a3 tube preamp with alps blue velvet volume control...$999.

Something to consider in your budget is a record cleaning system, especially since you’re getting your friend’s records…condolences and sorry to hear but cool that you get to have them. One of the least expensive ways to clean your LPs is a SpinClean…there are others. And a record brush, something light weight (carbon fiber, etc) that won’t drag down the platter’s speed.

I tried to post a link, but Audiogon’s security denied it.