Turntable getting back to vinyl

Brian, Not recommending them because they are DJ tables but because they are good. Pioneer and AT have the resources to develop a good table at a good price and these fit that bang for the buck. If you are put off by the aesthetic, there are lots of pretty decent budget tables like the Rega RP1. Your other point about cartridges: a cheap good cartridge in a top tier table will sound better than an expensive cartridge in a cheap deck. It’s the physics. As you have lots if vinyl, my prediction is you will want to upgrade your possible budget table to one you are unwilling to invest in at this time.

Would telling you make it so?! Consider saving a little longer for a Pioneer PLX1000 at under $700. Add a Shure M44 or Nagaoka MP110 for a really good TT that will give you more fun than anything cheaper. Failing that look at the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon at around $400. If you want to low-ball yourself the Audio Technica AT120 is okay at $300. You will need a phono amp with all but the cheapest unit.