A properly setup $1500 TT combo (TT, preamp) will I won't say sound better than your EMM Labs but will give you a much more satisfying musical presentation/performance than any digital will. Listening to analog is an experience. IMO, digital at it's best is still music without any soul while analog at it's worst is music with a soul. That's the difference.
You might want to reconsider before taking the plunge into analog because it's a commitment. It looks like you're not ready.
You might want to reconsider before taking the plunge into analog because it's a commitment. It looks like you're not ready.