Hmmm, for your analog front end, I would suggest a Well Tempered Simplex ($2100ish, with a built in arm, incl a golfball) and a used Dynavector P75 phono stage (can be bought for around $400 used). Then figure out a good cart upgrade down the road.
But like so many others here, I am just reporting on what worked well in my experience (tho it was an Amadeus, not Simplex in my case). But I have read a number of Well-Tempered users claim that the Well Tempereds are an improvement over comparably priced Rega and VPI tables tables.
But like so many others here, I am just reporting on what worked well in my experience (tho it was an Amadeus, not Simplex in my case). But I have read a number of Well-Tempered users claim that the Well Tempereds are an improvement over comparably priced Rega and VPI tables tables.