first time vinyl

I started with a Thorens TD-160 and a Shure M-97xe for about $400 all-in and it was a great starter table. I've upgraded since, but that was a nice entre into vinyl.

The Rega P2, 3 are nice. The KAB-modded Technics 1210 is very fun too. You'll dig these. The Rega P5 swings better than the above, BUT it is a tad more pricey.

nottingham horizon with a dynavector 10x5.

I do require a phono stage for my cary 2a3i integrated

I recommend the Bang & Olufsen turntables, from about the mid-1980s on, as a great starting point. No, they're not the last word in performance, but they are suprisingly good, and setup is extremely easy. Soundsmith has a variety of good cartridges available for them, and all you need to do is plug in a cartridge, and set the vertical tracking force. No VTA, anti-skate, damping, azimuth, overhang, cartridge-tonearm matching, etc. etc. to worry about . . . and you can set them on just about anything, and they don't have feedback problems, and they don't skip.

If you go to Beoworld.com, they have a complete breakdown of models, eras, etc. You could pick up a used Beogram RX2 or TX2, a new Soundsmith SMMC4 cartridge, a Creek OBH-18 phono preamp, and a few good bottles of wine all well within your budget . . . and when you outgrow it, it's perfect for a second system.