Krelldog, I do not know the best route but I will share mine when I went back to vinyl about 8 years ago. I do know you have to stretch as far as you can $$ for each component - to ward off upgraditis.
I went with a basis 1400 signature, Hadcock tonearm, and sumiko blackbird high output MC. For the phono I went with ARC PH 5. The total package was about 6K. It knocked my digital rig out of service it was so much better. Also, you have to spring for a RCM like the VPI 16.5 or someting similar.
There are many paths you can take and they will all be good. I am 100% vinly now and have never looked back.
I went with a basis 1400 signature, Hadcock tonearm, and sumiko blackbird high output MC. For the phono I went with ARC PH 5. The total package was about 6K. It knocked my digital rig out of service it was so much better. Also, you have to spring for a RCM like the VPI 16.5 or someting similar.
There are many paths you can take and they will all be good. I am 100% vinly now and have never looked back.