Turntable suggestions for a newbie

I've owned a Mofi Ultradeck for almost two years. In that time, it's been a pretty a solid turntable, requiring little to no intervention. I think it sounds a little more tone rich the the Technics I also tried at the time. However, one thing I wish I would have known before I purchased it, is that is has a very heavy 24g tonearm. That heavy of a tonearm can be a bit limiting in cartridge choices. Though all the MoFi (rebadged AT) cartridges would be compliant.

Music Direct says they have installed many out of compliance cartridges on them, and other people have posted on various forums about using out of compliance cartridges, but I'm not so sure I want to spend $1k plus on a cartridge to find out.

I probably would have gone in a different direction had I have know. Either with a Sota Escape with an Origin Live Silver tonearm or a VPI.

In relation to Looks Matter - In relation to ones 'better half' showing a tolerance for a item to be used for the occasional replay of recorded music using a a Archaic Medium to produce the facsimile of the recorded data when the Stylus is reading the Modulations.

The device required to enable this type of replay to occur soon becomes a Dust Collecting Carbuncle in the Space they are trying to have a feel good factor about.

The Archaic Medium on show will be as welcome as a Naked Picture of ones Mothering Law above the Marital Bed Head Board.

Man Caves are Marriage Savers for good reasons.

Every Man with a Partner Sharing their Living Space needs a Man Cave or alternatively, a Friend who is salvaging their own relationship through having a with  Man Cave, hopefully their is a Friend who has shared interests. 

I would recommend revisiting the ClearAudio option.  I have owned VPI, Techniques, Origin Live, among others and had a ClearAudio Concept Air on extended loan recently.  It performed at a level well above my expectations and had very non intrusive aesthetics. 

I bought my First TT in 1973 AR X1 Shure cart from Crazy Eddies cost $99 bucks.Sold it didn't like the manual.Next bought a Technics SL 1350 with Shure V15 111 cart cost $389. buck...I still own it.But sold all my Lps in 2012.Bought a Fluance 85 with Ortho Blue $400.but I don't like getting up at the end of the record. Bought alot of Mofi 45 rpm lps. I'm not going out and buying a 3,500 plus 1,500  cart.I'm retired 72 and don't have the money.

Landed on the Rega Planar 8.  Not only rated well and recomended by my local hi fi store( shout out to Saturday Audio In Chicago) but the minimalist design fits my living space.  I'm a little apprehensive because it is such a minimalist design and so light that it kinda feels cheap. Initial listening on less than stellar LPs has me liking what I'm hearing however. Im using a Hana EH MC HO cart with a Schiit Skoll pre.