The best way to start adding A=analog to my system

@jonwatches1 that is sort of what I was thinking: that there would be some learning I could get from a cheaper system that I could put to use when I make the longer term, much larger investment. A lot of good info in this thread though!

I have two turntable suggestions, both of which already come with a pre mounted cartridge, and both of which I own. The first is the Music Hall MMF-7.3 with Ortofon 2M Bronze, the second is the Avid Ingenium plug & play with a unbadged Rega carbon. 

The Music Hall is a very well designed turntable that sounds magnificent. Electronic speed change via the outboard motor, a carbon fiber 9" tonearm (9cc), acrylic platter driven by a round belt, threaded spindle with screw on record clamp, two plinth design, tip-toe feet, and includes both a dustcover and quality interconnects. Not to mention a beautiful walnut finish (available in gloss black for cheaper). The walnut version is about $1800. 

The Avid plug and play Ingenium is a skeletal design that is built like a tank. It has an MDF platter driven by an external motor assembly. The tonearm is the Rega RB 110, with, as mentioned, an unbadged Rega carbon attached and aligned. Avid Is known to abide to the theory that the turntable itself is more important than the cartridge installed to achieve the best sound. In other words, you do not have to have an ultra expensive cartridge installed to achieve great sound. The Avid Ingenium  uses a titanium ball bearing which rides on a sapphire bearing, the same as the more expensive Avid models. The turntable oozes quality build. It can be had for about $2100, but i got mine new for $1800. 

As far as a phono stage, I also have two to recommend, two of which I also own. The first is the Tavish Design the Classic, the second is the Pro-ject tube box DS2. Both are tube preamps. I run NOS tubes in the Tavish with great results. The tube box DS2 has a front mounted knob to adjust moving coil load on the fly. The Tavish is about $800, the pro-ject is about $1000 with the wood side panels, otherwise about $800. So, for about $3000 total outlay, you can have a very nice analog set up. 

I owned a Rega P3 for about a year and felt I needed more out of my turntable. I ended up going with a Clearaudio Performance DC and never looked back. That was a night and day improvement. Best of luck. 

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

I’m not pushing my choices, just concepts and only equipment I have personal experience with

links repeated

LT-22 I just found for my friend (scroll down)

vertical LT-5V

hifishark, LT-5V, parts are available

LT-20 for sale

my systems, TTs shown here