What Budget turntable should I buy?

For the phono preamp, save some money and pick up the battery powered model that Radio Shack was selling for $25. Rechargable batteries and a charger should run another $25. Much better sounding than any of the budget preamps you are considering, though it only works with high output cartridges. If it is out of stock, there is a guy on Ebay selling them with a $20 buy it now. The model # is 42-2111 (in Canada) and I forget the US designation. It only has around 38 dB of gain, but being so quiet (DC operated) this should not be a problem as long as you run it through an active preamp line stage (not a passive one), just turn the volume a bit higher. It is called the "little rat" in the Audio Asylum forum and you will find a number of comparisons there. Far from SOTA but very musical and again as good as any $200 phono preamp that I have heard. This way you can put more money into the TT.

If you are really on a budget look for a used REK-O-KUT. a "No Brainer". For the money you can have one in every room! Out performs table upwards of 1K. Worth the money just to buy one and try it. It made my LINN ,P25 ( and myself) look stupid. Definitely the last table I'll own. If you find one let me know.

Start with the battery operated Radio Shack RAT if you are in a budget (www.radioshack.com). It is reputed to outperform everything under $200 USD. Run a search on the Audio Asylum posts if interesed.

As for a TT, yes, get a belt drive! Anyone, as long as a reviewer liked it...you'll sleep calmly at night.

What's this REK O KUT turntable?

What's the website, dude?

There is a great deal on ebay right now. Slightly used Sumiko Pro-ject Wood Classic. Lists for $750, with Grado Gold cartridge, list $180. Bid, last check, is at $301, with a "Buy It Now" at $450. Bidding ends in 4 days. I was going to buy it, but I bought the VPI jr that avguygeorge touted. Thanks avguygeorge!