Turntable on a $5k budget?

I will chime in here with a different response. I would suggest that you go a little more inexpensive than most here have recommended, and that you buy new. You can get a Rega P5 with an Exact 2 cartridge, a Bellari VP 129 phonostage, and a Nitty Gritty Record Doctor 3 cleaning machine all for under $2500 total. This will be a very nice sounding set-up that you can explore the world of vinyl with, and all of it has very good resale value when you want to either upgrade or get out of it. In the meantime, you will save yourself quite a bit of money, which you can use to buy more records with. The music is ultimately more important than the equipment, anyway! Whatever you decide to do, I am sure you will not regret getting into vinyl. I will also second the Vinyl Asylum recommendation as well.

So trueski!

Much of this is great advice. I guess it boils down to:

--commitment to learn how to setup properly
--gear that has good synergy between phonostage-cart-arm-table
--commitment to clean LPs
--combo of time & money to find LPs new & used

While I appreciate the caution to "dip your toe in the water", please don't err on the low side unless you can audition it and get goosebumps. All the record ritual in the world isn't worthwhile if the music doesn't make you smile.

My advice is to buy used gear(except cartridge) to limit your downside, and learn setup yourself. Once you "know how to fish", anything is possible. Cheers,
Spencer

Here is my 2 cents and I will stand by it no mater what some may say.

Honestly you will get all you want and more while staying within your budget. Her is my list.

1: Technics SL-12xxmkII series of table from KAB USA appx. $475 - $625 depending on version you desire.

2: Add the Cardas arm rewire $170

3: Add the outboard power supply mod. $250

4: Add the Kab fluid damper. $150

5: Add the Isono sorbothane feet. $200

6: Add Kab RC-100 record clmap. $150

Total so far : $1395 - $1545.

Select a good moving coil cartridge for table.

Models to try or buy all with appropriate head shells.

Audio Technica AT-OC9ML $340
Denon DL-103R. $370
Denon DL-304. $700
Dynavector 10x5. $395
Dynavector 20x $680

Total range now $1735.00 - $2245.00

Add a record cleaning machine setup. I use a steam cleaner but if you want a record vacuum I suggest.

VPI HW-16.5. $550

Total range is now $2285.00 - $2795.00

Add some decent cables (The Kab, Cardas arm rewire has high quality RCA outs.) But I truly do not recommend the silliness of mega buck cables. Get a decent set of $100-$200 cables or if you are able to make your own for a fraction of the cost.

Get a good audio rack that's stable or buy a turntable wall mount. range of price for a rack or wall mount oh $150-$500, but you can spend more if you want.

Total range is now $2535.00 - $3495.00 depending on choices made.

Buy a carbon fiber brush for between play cleaning, maybe bag a Zerostat anti-static gun. Invest in a whole lot of good record sleeves for your collection... These only add a $100 or so to the total.

Take the rest of your money and shop for some good new vinyl that you like and then go out to thrift shops and look for cheap used vinyl. Money left over, save and take your sig other and/or family out for a nice lil weekend vacation.

Well you got my advice for free and it will give you great sound and some fun too.

there is a used Lenco L-75 jean natais plinith with a vpi 10.5i tonearm in mint condition that someone is selling on the gon' for $3,000. This is a great price. You can then get a used tt cleaner for $1,500 and buy a cartridge for $1,500 (dynavector or shelter to name a few) and you will be in analog heaven. The added $1,500 you are willing to spend above that can be spent on buying lps. Well maybe less than $1,500 because you do need to stabilize the tt on a good platform that mapleshade can hook you up for a few hundred.

I started with the technics direct drive and yes its a great starter tt but since you have already been exposed to your friend's higher quality rigs, I see no reason given your ample budget to not jump in head first. By purchasing a quality name used, you have little to fear by way of losing money if you ever decide to sell. The lenco with natais plinith is great bang for your buck especially used. You have an upgrade path too in that later you can put a graham phantom arm or an even pricer cartridge on it.

yes you can try a lot of turntables but the sooner you pull the trigger on one of the can't go wrong used turntables, the sooner you can start enjoying analog. I still enjoy digital too so don't lose all perpective because some recordings on lp are not better than digital or are so rare or so expensive that the digital version is still a pretty good bet.