Want to add vinyl to my system.

+1 @simao   

I am primarily a digital listener but wanted a vinyl setup for some albums that are not currently available digitally.  I use a Technics 1200 with an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge and a CA mm phono stage.  The sound is very good my main complaint being the usual vinyl issues of surface noise and short playing times

Agreed. My entire vinyl rig now (Nad C558, Clearaudio Maestro V2, Schiit Mani) costs less than a single Manley Chinook pre. I spend my vinyl money on good vinyl (although I did just send in my Hana SL to be retipped). 

I've come down from a VPI HW19MK4 with a Jelco 750 tonearm and a Hagerman Trumpet pre and truthfully don't notice the difference too much except for noise. But that's all. 

You don't have to spend a lot in vinyl to get sound you love. 

It took a while, but I finally revamped my analog side to at least equal the digital side.  With an expense of about $8000, I got a very decent sounding rig.  Since I have about two thousand records it was worth the expense.

be wary of anyone who tells you what you "must" spend in order to get good sound. I've seen some ridiculous claims to this effect and it's just not accurate.  Vinyl is a blast, I've never considered any of it work, and I have cleaned 2K+ albums with a VPI 16.5 unit.  I guess I just enjoy being around music, whether it is actively listening to a record or reading the liner notes while cleaning an album.  I think digital is great as well, I just don't use it when I'm "actively" (no distractions, phone down, laptop closed, etc) listening. 

Also, when people say "this/that/the other brand is junk" take it with a grain of salt, it's generally because they have some weird axe to grind.

My .02 is this is all quite subjective.

I would compare the relationship of analog audio vs digital to driving stick shift vs automatic or making coffee using a grinder and a chemex vs a keurig pod machine.

In each of these, some would say the manual aspect offers benefits in the process and ultimately in the performance.

I am one of them. To me, manuals are more fun and drive better, pour-over tastes better and analog sounds better, but I fully understand that others will disagree.