$3000 on Analog system - how to spread?

Flyingred is right, you don't "have" to spend big money for record cleaning. You can clean by hand with a GroovMaster (sic) and a modded shop vac or DIY a machine like Chris's for well under $100. You do have to clean however, and hand cleaning is very slow.

I agree with Steveaudio that having one component that's "better" than the rest usually isn't a problem, with one exception. A high level cartridge on a less adequate arm or (especially) table is an invitation to disappointment. Steve's idea to buy a used c-j or ARC phono or preamp w/ phono is excellent. You'll get great performance for the money and a time-tested design. You'll be limited to MM's and HOMC's, but on this budget that's what you should be looking at anyway.

On and on and on we go!.......

And, I'm surprised to hear that the phono stage has relatively small impact on sound. I'm glad I asked.

Says who? Ask people who know, or find out for yourself!

Dejan Veselinovic, an European audio journalist/circuit designer will bluntly tell you that the phono stage is the most important. Why? Give it some thought...he's not denying anywhere that 50% of the info is on the time domain component provided by the turntable's motion. It's because the phono stage is amplifying/equalizing extremely delicate signals which are highly succeptible to noise pollution and phase smear (good to read Magnan's website for more info). Circuit topology has a lot to do with this. I chose the Monolithic PS-1 because its circuit topology is essentially that of a Klyne, with the exception that it uses op-amps in the output stage. It pays to do good research...

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How able/willing are you to take on a project? If so, the huge "Home Despot" thread in this forum has a wealth of information about putting an excellent analog system together at minimal cost. Those of us who tried it have been very pleased.

I suggest a galibier serac which should be out any day with a denon 103r. The total cost would be slightly under your $3000 limit.