Advice and recommendations needed for a turntable rig...

'Mass Loading' Is this a term you can expend on, as Heavy TT can be produced by including a wide range of singular materials or an even wider range of differing materials in the construction ? 

Do note 'Mass' needs good Support and a Wall Shelve is usually one method that can be discounted if the Wall Structure is questionable for the purpose.

$3.5K will be a substantial allocation on monies to get on board with Vinyl, if you are not needing to build a Vinyl Collection from 'all analogue production' of LP's.

Digital / Analogue Hybrid produced LP's will not be cheap but more affordable than an all analogue version.

Used LP purchases will have a mixed bag of opinions, and cleaning the LP will become a Buzz Word Topic, if one does buy used it will be their cheapest route into 'all analogue production' LP's. 

The LP is the Source, everything else to be achieved is attempts to have a optimised data extraction and optimised energy transfer for creating the signal to be sent Upstream in the signal paths circuitry.  

@2psyop Now you have revealed the circumstances that happened and the Vinyl Collection being given to yourself, I’m confident there is a few things you can do to make the most of the legacy gifts you are now the Custodian of.

The Link is a very good place to learn about Vinyl Care and Rejuvenation.

I strongly advise the section on Manual Cleaning only, is the info learned and adopted to bring the inherited collection of Vinyl LP’s to their most purified cleanliness, probably since the day they were pressed.

Knowing your source material is in a pristine condition, is one of life’s little pleasures when one is taking a time out to enjoy a Vinyl Replay.

I’m sure it is one activity, your friend will smile at, as they are looking down on this world. If vinyl properly takes a bite, there will be plenty of other humorous moments that will follow.

PACVR-3rd-Edition

@2psyop I see your OP was quite clearly stating an interest in a not too old TT deign from Project, being the X8 Evolution Model.

Well I don't know if Mr Fremer can assure one that this is there ideal TT, but if he found satisfaction from experiencing it, then I am sure you can too.

The Thread has become a ricochet, where many suggestions are putting the idea of Vintage TT's as your options, these do come with their own unique age related issues, that can quite easily be a concern.

Read my recent posts on the Yamaha GT 2000 Thread, whatever is wrote there as quality / function concerns that are risks with such purchases to be inherited extends to all Vintage TT's.   

@krelldreams My post was not an attack on how the thread evolved, it was to inform the OP new things needed to be thought about with some of the TT's being presented, as there very very long term usage and potentially not having any knowledge of how they have been treated, creates it own new concerns.

'Caveat Emptor' - will be ones friend when treading in this area of purchasing.  

I have tra yelled as a commuter on my evening trip, with a girl who I only inquired yesterday what her Job was.

I learnt she is Head of conservation of the premises and preservation of the exhibits and stored artifacts. 

We discussed cleaning solutions, for a large proportion of the Journey. 

Pure Bliss, who would thought it possible. 

If the digital set up is using CD, the haptic between both hard mediums is very very similar, even though the CD replay, needs a little less finesse from the user placing it to be replayed and does not need an individual being ready for the end of a Album side to stop the replay.

Both have the material asset impact on one, as pride of ownership and sentiment is present.

Both the above are seemingly not present with a Digital Source based on a Hired Music Platform.

Vinyl is what it is, being a means to be entertained only, using Old Obsolete Tech as the methodology. That in itself has proved to be plenty enough for many.