WARNING! The following is the biased view of a DEALER!
The most important thing is that regardless of the components you select, they be installed and setup properly, and that they perform well together as a system. Professional setup is different than just mounting and aligning the cartridge. Choose a dealer who you know has the knowledge to perform a full professional set up.
As for the hardware, The SOTA Comet-III/250 table and arm with Grado Statement Series Platinum cartridge, and Grado PH1 Phono Stage is an amazing vinyl system that delivers far more than you'd expect for $1250. And everything except the Rega arm is made in the USA... Harry