For non techie buyer, it is always safe to go for the whole package, rather than going for separates.
If you want to go for the separate route, as suggested by others, the best bang for the buck would come from tonearm+headshell+cartridge combo.
I am not an expert, but I would rather go for the cartridge first, then matching headshell, and then compatible tonearm, then the driver+plinth.
However, I would not recommend that route to beginners. Think about it. Purchasing a cartridge, headshell, tonearm, and then driver and plinth all separately, and setting up together for the optimum performance, is quite overwhelming job for beginners. If you are lucky, you will be able to get the whole at once at reasonable price.
If you want to go for the separate route, as suggested by others, the best bang for the buck would come from tonearm+headshell+cartridge combo.
I am not an expert, but I would rather go for the cartridge first, then matching headshell, and then compatible tonearm, then the driver+plinth.
However, I would not recommend that route to beginners. Think about it. Purchasing a cartridge, headshell, tonearm, and then driver and plinth all separately, and setting up together for the optimum performance, is quite overwhelming job for beginners. If you are lucky, you will be able to get the whole at once at reasonable price.