I think its great your getting into vinyl is great as always its just another medium to find music. and the factor of holding it in your hand is not to be ignored. I like both good digital and good analog so both can be a good source for music. I think your idea to hold out to buy somthing in a higher budget is a good call. there is some nice tables in the $1200-2000 range that will satisfy long term. also the black cube is a good phono pre as well as the Gram Slee stuff and the ifi iphono2 is gettiing great reviews all in that $500 range of course more mony will yeald beter sound but i think thats a good starting piont. as you will want to invest in records '-) good luck.
Another idea is to buy a good vintage Garrard 301-401 or lenco and build it up your self. that will take some research but well worth the time and long term investment.