Recommended first turntable?

I hope I dont fit Tvad's definition of a "Vinyl Elitist"

All of your info is helpful; I appreciate it! What do you think of Grado cartridges? My preamp has an MM input (but not MC) so I was leaning towards Grado. As far as the argument of "elitist audiophiles" vs. "regular guys", I don't much care at the moment! As a college kid, I don't have $1000 to spend and I know for sure that a $250 set-up won't be so bad that I disregard vinyl forever. I'm not going to wait five years just to hear the records I've inherited! Regardless, thanks for everyone's input, it's all welcome.

Winegasman...Great post. Also, maybe one of the most honest. Although, if Ledhed2222 could possibly increase is budget by $80,000 or so maybe the neighbor lady or the guy six blocks away could come running over and ask if he had changed cables or some other nonsense.

I like Rich's (Winegasman) answer. Bought an older Mint cond. Pioneer Direct Drive PL-670 for around $40 and replaced the stock conical cart. w/a Audio Technica AT-311 EP cart. for $40 new and it's so easy to use and sounds just fine. (I do not miss the $600+ new retail TT had previously.) Also, Project makes a nice entry-level TT as well. (Comes w/a fine Sumiko cart. I believe.) Do look into the Pioneer. Good luck! Bill

If you do get an older (and/or cheaper) table make sure it is set up properly before you use it, or sooner or later it will damage your records. You also need to learn enough about it that you can keep it set up. (On a low budget, an experienced technician my not be affordable.)

Similarly, if a record is very dirty it is better not to play it until you have cleaned it, or some of the dirt may be ground deeper into the groove.

With those two warnings heeded, you should be able to get nice music for relatively little money.