Turntable suggestions for novice...

PR0-JECT!!!!!

man, i cant believe that these decks are not
mentioned as they have 3 tables that are right
up his alley!!

the pro-ject debut3 is an AWSOME "entry level"
back to vinyl machine. comes set up with an
ortofon om5 cartridge.

the deck FAR,FAR exeeds its entry level price
and you ned to see the reviews from pros and
private listeners to make your decision.

i absolutely love mine and i thought for sure i
would be changing out the cartridge but so far,
after 8 months, i havnt had the desire to run out
and buy one. it looks very cool and sleek and is
pro machine, not an ion or budget stanton,numark
or ion. there is just a musical "thing" about this
deck i was not expecting at all. now, is it a top of
the line vpi or sota? no. but, you will be plenty
pleased and vinyly recharged with this deck while
waiting around for the cash for one of those hi enders.

comes with protractor, exellent manual with detailed set
up instrucions. all for around 400 bux! needle doctor
has them right now for 399.00 and they to can be "upgraded"
if you desire. the only thing i will probably do is order
one of there ACRYL-IT thick,acrylic platters. better bass
and it just looks damned cool!!! (chicks will dig it)

go read the reviews before making your decision.

In my own experience, in your price range,
New: Technics SL1200mkII
Recent used: Rega P3
Put a Dynavector 10x5 on the SL1200 and just quit. The Rega gives you a few years of tweaking/upgrades and will launch you on that path, but can be configured to outperform your excellent 740C. I have done both of the above, and either endpoint (the Rega one takes longer to reach) is satisfactory.

Personally, in that price range, I gotta agree with Les_creative-edge regarding top-line Japanese decks of the 1978-1983 vintages, but I would also consider this path somewhat incongruous with your system.

Check out this thread on the topic of good second hand tables for $500 or less.
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/228059/low-budget-vinyl-source