Bnc, I'm not going to low ball you on a recommendation. If you're serious about getting into analog at better sound quality than your Moon Eclipse, you probably ought to plan on a budget of $2500-3500, and it goes up from there.
Here's one option, you'll probably get lots of others, some at lower overall price points:
...VPI Scout Turntable with JMV 9 tonearm $1600 retail (I wouldn't hesitate to purchase this on the used market at under $1100. Also, this table can be upgraded at any later time to the Scoutmaster.) (The VPI Scoutmaster is even better, but at $2400.)
...Cartridge possibilities that work well with the VPI tonearm: Sumiko Blackbird ($750) or Dynavector DV-20Xcartridge ($525) or Grado Sonata ($500)
...Phono stage at low cost. There are several threads here you can review about inexpensively priced phono stages. More expensive phono stages will sound better, but any of the following would get you started and you could consider upgrading later on for significant improvement in sound:
Grado PH-1 ($500) or Lehmann Black Cube ($460) or Creek Audio OBH-15 ($400). All of these have switchable gain settings for MC or MM cartridges.
As with anything else audio, each of the phono stages and each of the cartridges will have it's own sonic strengths, weaknesses and character. So do the turntables/tonearms.
Buying a used VPI Scout turntable or phono stage will save you 40-50% off retail. With the VPI, buying used is a pretty safe bet, there's not much that can go wrong with them.
Good luck on your journey!
.
Here's one option, you'll probably get lots of others, some at lower overall price points:
...VPI Scout Turntable with JMV 9 tonearm $1600 retail (I wouldn't hesitate to purchase this on the used market at under $1100. Also, this table can be upgraded at any later time to the Scoutmaster.) (The VPI Scoutmaster is even better, but at $2400.)
...Cartridge possibilities that work well with the VPI tonearm: Sumiko Blackbird ($750) or Dynavector DV-20Xcartridge ($525) or Grado Sonata ($500)
...Phono stage at low cost. There are several threads here you can review about inexpensively priced phono stages. More expensive phono stages will sound better, but any of the following would get you started and you could consider upgrading later on for significant improvement in sound:
Grado PH-1 ($500) or Lehmann Black Cube ($460) or Creek Audio OBH-15 ($400). All of these have switchable gain settings for MC or MM cartridges.
As with anything else audio, each of the phono stages and each of the cartridges will have it's own sonic strengths, weaknesses and character. So do the turntables/tonearms.
Buying a used VPI Scout turntable or phono stage will save you 40-50% off retail. With the VPI, buying used is a pretty safe bet, there's not much that can go wrong with them.
Good luck on your journey!
.