The only advice you received that made any sense to your post was the Technics 1200G. $3k for a used one is the right money, find a Herron MC phono stage (early model)1500ish and that leaves you $1500 for a cartridge and with that find a Audio Technica Art 9 and your done. So around $5500 and you can enjoy your LP’s. I have owned the above items so can speak on it, my current vinyl setup up is a Maxxed out STS Thorens 124 with Jelco 850L, Ortofon TA110 tonearms, Herron VTPH-2A phono preamp.
Koetsu Urishi Black, Haniwa HTCR-01 cartridges.
Good Luck and max out your budget and there is a noticeable difference as you move up the food chain in vinyl.