Recommended first turntable?

If you do get an older (and/or cheaper) table make sure it is set up properly before you use it, or sooner or later it will damage your records. You also need to learn enough about it that you can keep it set up. (On a low budget, an experienced technician my not be affordable.)

Similarly, if a record is very dirty it is better not to play it until you have cleaned it, or some of the dirt may be ground deeper into the groove.

With those two warnings heeded, you should be able to get nice music for relatively little money.

One way to integrate some of the above sugestions is to consider waiting and saving up a bit more so you can stretch upwards on your budget. You'll be happier in the long run.

One advantage to the Rega is that set up couldn't be simpler. If you're technically minded and willing to do a bit of research, that might not be an issue. Even the bottom of their line, the new P1, is $350 with cartridge and you won't be likely to find one used quite yet since they are so new. A used P2 will be about the same price.

The above suggestions are good ones. Are you thinking $250 just for the table? What will you be using for a phono stage? The Grados are warm and full. The cheaper ones have a bit of tizz on the very top. You might do better depending on your taste and the table/arm.

I agree with Piedpiper above. My first high-end turntable was a Rega Planar 3 and it was way better than an automatic Yamaha I previously had. IMO it is a lot more important to set up the table properly than to worry about which inexpensive table to buy. The Rega is user-friendly and easy to set up. Or you can get something from Pro-Ject or Musical Fidelity or Thorens, but you will need some setup tools from Wallytractor or other aftermarket setup hardware. Another suggestion is to buy a table from a dealer skilled in analog setup if there is one near you. And I would also highly recommend some type of vacuum record cleaner, especially if you want your records to last.

Another thought: You are much better off putting virtually all your budget into the table/arm and getting the cheapest possible stop gap cartridge such as the cheapest Grado with the assumption of upgrading as funds allow. The quality priority sequence goes table, arm, cartridge, phono stage, etc.

$250 on the right day here could land you a used Rega P1. I've seen probably a half dozen here used in the $250-280 range over the last few months. Like Piedpiper, I didn't think I'd see them used for a while, but they're starting to appear. Rega sells a LOT of tables.