geezer, lotsa good adwice here, & i don't see how ya could go wrong w/*any* of the recommendations. my only ting to ad is, whatever ya finally choose, go *used*. yule definitely maximize the bang-fer-buck. for ~$1800, i have an oracle 'table, updated to mk-v specs w/exception of motor/power-supply, but that's ok, cuz i got the origin-live motor/power-supply instead! also have a fully-tweeked o-l rb-250 arm. all for $1800, delivered, purchased in increments - i couldn't be happier! and, unless i win a lottery & have to have someting *really* cool-looking, i'm done w/turntable upgrades! :>)
rfj, my $225 ortofon mc25-fl is great, at its price-point. no hum in my system, fwiw... there's a guy on a-gon selling a kontrapunkt (sp?) for $369, sounds like a good deal to me...
doug s.