It seems you WILL stick with Vinyl (i.e. not a novice just curious who might try and not stick with it).
I’m 73, after many steps I ended up with a TT with 3 tonearms, 3 cartridges ready to instantly swap back and forth in a single listening session, all adjustments/alignments already done.
I’m currently helping a friend upgrade to a single arm TT.
I would limit my arm choice to a removable headshell. If arm comes with TT, limit TT choice to removable headshell.
Next, start with a darn good but not too expensive MM (moving magnet) Cartridge. Definitely not a cheap or used cartridge.
AT 540ML is an excellent start at a great price. Advanced Microlinear Stylus shape.
Wide separation and tight channel balance combine to help imaging be more precisely revealed.
later if you move on to MC (moving coil) and/or more expensive cartridges (in their own headshells, ready to interchange) , the 540 will still be great to play favorite, fun, but not sonically great LP’s.
. That avoids needlessly adding wear to a costly non-replaceable stylus. I use the prior 440 version for that. Eventually you might want a MONO cartridge, again pre-mounted, ready to go. I would start out with a highly favored but not too expensive Phono stage. There is a lot of love here for Schiitt gear. Get there by not too costly pieces, then if/when you move up the chain, you will have less reluctance. ............. Next, we have the very important alignment of tonearm and cartridge. Success depends on alignment, the best and most exspensive setup will not sound good unless alignment is correct. You start with zero skills I suspect, so the initial setup needs to be by the factory, seller, experienced friend, or you buy a cheap toy cartridge and learn/practice on an unimportant LP, then mount your real cartridge. A few inexpensive tools are needed to align a cartridge. You will benefit all your life if you acquire the skills and tools to do it yourself. I found and my friend just purchased this Linear Tracking TT. Some, like this, allow ’real’ headshells and ’real’ cartridges, whereas most linear use lightweight arms and lightweight P mount cartridges which is less preferred. I use one of those in my garage/shop system. Linear is much easier to align, there is no anti-skating force/adjustment; and no null points to align. Mitsubishi LT-22 https://www.ebay.com/itm/175178913701 An LT-20 is for sale, serviced, ready to go https://www.ebay.com/itm/403574581130?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=1d23cc20-b0f2-11ec-81f6-613737316664 I know how to change the belts (easy) so I would also consider this LT-30 https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649842857-for-repair-mitsubishi-lt-30-linear-tracking-turntable/ If your setup benefits from a Vertical TT (like my office)the Vertical Version, LT-5V. It is belt drive, the horizontal versions are quartz locked direct drive, my preference in my main system. here you see belts, dust covers, parts and several are for sale https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=mitsubishi+lt-5v https://www.vinylengine.com/library/mitsubishi/lt-5v.shtml ......................... you can see my systems here https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9511