Recommend an Entry Level Turntable (And maybe an integrated Amp)

I’m gonna ask a question:

can you keep this as a happy second system, enjoy it elsewhere, ... office, .... and start over piece by piece for a new music system?

IOW, new speakers, probably used to move up within your budget. That is the biggest improvement you will hear (first with the existing receiver and cd player). If not streaming, that marantz looks like a keeper.

then new or used components with the sources/inputs/features/remote controls you want. think long, sketch the ideal, then begin.

Any starter TT, it’s not the deck and arm difference: you will be hearing the cartridge, and it will be colored via the Phono stage. You need to find the combo that you like, that ain’t easy. Alignment skills for a TT/cartridge are paramount, who will do that?

Then, having an enjoyable TT, if you stick with Vinyl, move up with your then acquired experience and alignment skills. also think long, I went from a decent Audio Technica AT120 with a single great cartridge to a Vintage TT and Large Plinth with 3 arms/cartridges ready to go. Got there by accident with a lot of help here.

have a peek, 8th photo here

my good friend just went to a new arm with removable headshell and VTA on the FLY. IMO that is the best way to go with a single arm, it allows changing headshells with different cartridges easily, i.e. MM Stereo; MC Stereo; Mono. That is a commitment, after you decide you will move deeper into Vinyl

you could jump right in with this vintage JVC Victor two arm plinth, direct drive quartz locked TT81;

and Long 7082 arm with VTA on the Fly

that’s $1,100 usd, and sold by Vlad, the Russian in Canada I bought mine from and Bill subsequently got his from. I highly recommend him. note: he also has the standard length 7045 arm listed separately. If I knew what I ended up knowing, I would buy this and the 9" arm.

correction, that listing is from Eugene in Canada, not Vlad. I wrote him, the gasket in that arm looks perfect. Verify proper double boxing with Eugene if you order from him.

Vlad's current listings 

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/userads.php?user_id=10089

that JVC Victor plinth is big and heavy, check the measurements, I had to order a deeper glass shelf for it. 

you could start with a great arm with VTA on the Fly

this one has the base plate for a technics plinth (scroll down, see 'other listing)

then you need to find a TT to put it on.

OP,

I and 2 of my friends have done very well on canuckaudiomart.

Use PayPal for it's protection, and use your best credit card to pay paypal so you get the CC protection also. Seller may want you to split or pay the 3% paypal seller's fee they were not planning on, the protection is worth it.

You need an invoice for the item, i.e. 'goods' so you are paying for goods (protected) rather than sending money which is not protected.

Insurance: keep in mind, the seller is paying on your behalf, and if a damage claim, the seller has to make the claim, thus is is IMPERATIVE items are properly DOUBLE BOXED.

I had a bad experience, because Eugene didn't double box the unit, sadly destroyed, he gave me a full refund, but such a shame and it took a while. Got the one I have now from Vlad on canuckaudiomart, he is a master packager!!!

I would buy from Eugene, he had lots of great items, only after we had a conversation about double boxing. 

.....................................

Another option, any item 'local pickup only' (any seller unsure about packaging): you pre-arrange and pay UPS to pack and ship to you, even from Canada. Find UPS office near seller, pre-arrange, seller simply takes unpackaged item to UPS in your name. UPS calls with the price, you pay them, they guarantee undamaged delivery. I just did it, worked like a charm.