best "entry level" audiophile TT?

although some people have said otherwise, it's my understanding that direct drive is better than belt - especially in my area of the country (st louis) where temp and humidity go crazy in any single day. if so, why not go the Pro-Ject RM-5 route - direct drive? still looking SUB 1000$, want good, rich sound but not necessarily audio bliss (which would be hard at such a cheap 'table). I'm definitely looking into some of the used, old thorens and AR.

Flyingred, thanks for the cheap answer to isolation. Maybe I can make a zen garden out of my zen music. anyone else tried this?

thanks for the responses - quite helpful. I guess the price range is sub-1,000. I'm looking for solid quality, good sound - not sheer audio bliss. I, at least as of yet, mainly rely on other sources for music, and only have 40 records. I'm fairly new to audiophilia, and just bought my McIntosh MA6900 integrated, anticables / IC's, and vienna acoustic bach's - so I'm still recovering from the cost of all that while still looking for a TT.
And not to open up a new can of worms, but what /who / how much should I look for in terms of vibration isolation?