Pro-ject Xpression III, their Speed Box, plus their Phono Tube box with an Ortofon Turbo MC-3 cartridge will give you all full setup for $2000 minus patch cables. I really like Mogami 2549 for those.
Get a plug and play system, like the Project mentioned above, a Rega P3, Music Hall MM7, Clearaudio etc. You can get a reasonably balanced system with cartridge for $1200 or so. Add a Cambridge 640p or Project Phono tube box for a phono preamp and you are there for under 1500. Or buy used and get much more.
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