Can someone point me in the right direction? LP player / Preamp / Dragonfly Red...

If your Sony has a phono stage, keep and use it. If not, add a Bellari tube phonostage ($350). No real need to discard the Sony!

No phono stage on the Sony.  I will check out the Bellari - thanks!  At 350 though, its almost the Onkyo Int. which has the phono stage and LOTS of other SQ enhancing features.  

I guess there really is no point to running the Vinyl through my Computer to increase SQ via the DAC if I get a descent amp with a Phono stage right?  Especially if I have to buy converters and gear to do it?

Guess I was hoping for a shortcut to afford a TT now and get good-enough sound that I could upgrade later.  :(

Appreciate the responses guys!  Is there a way, or a benefit, to running the TT through my iMac/Dragonfly Red?  Or does getting a TT mean I pretty much need a new amp with a Phono stage?  That unfortunately would give me pause as I've been paralyzed for months about what Amp to get!  lol  I must say that I find myself more comfortable with NEW equipment as opposed to used or vintage (I know...)  So I was leaning toward an Onkyo Integrated A-9010.  I'm on a budget here - wife has no idea what I've already spent haha!

Sony is a cheap STR-DH100 but it actually sounds pretty good.  I have the volume set to 50 and control the output via my computer.  I let Audirvana and DragonflyRed do all the SQ stuff. 

I have to beleive that the Onkyo Int would make a big difference in my sound.  Just hard to drop $400 when my setup sounds pretty damn good right now.  But I want a TT and that changes things...  

I actually prefer the idea of getting the AT-LP120 and upgrading bit by bit.  I know I would spend more over time but its easier to hide from the wife!  ;)  The Pro-jec Debut Carbon has great specs, but am not a fan of the look...  And to get a mint Technics 1200 would be like $1000+ so probably not going to work for me.

Researching if there is even a way to "input" Audio into my IMac 27" 2012 at all anyways.  I thought I could but not sure now.

Just to be clear, you cant input a TT into your iMac and use the Mac as your controller. This is only done when somebody wants to convert vinyl to an audio file by using a A/D converter.

That's some info I was looking for - thanks!  Guess I need to start with the amp...  

Anyone know of a NEW amp that will play nice with my Infinity Kappa 8.1's.  They are 6 ohm but I hear they can drop to 2 ohm when pushed.  My research so far has led me to the Onkyo A-9010.  Oh, budget around $400...

A-9050 specs:
8 ohm 2 x 75 W/Ch
4 ohm 2 x 65 W/Ch

How can that be??

A-9010 specs:
8 ohm 2 x 44 W/Ch
4 ohm 2 x 60 W/Ch

(these specs are direct form Onkyo USA site)  
https://www.onkyousa.com/Products/prod_class.php?class=Amplifier&source=globalnav

I read that the Onkyo was stable down to 4 ohm.  And I thought I read the wattage would be closer to 66 WPC @ 4 ohm from that amp (I'm no Ohm wizard though)

Room size is 11x20 (with speakers on the short wall about 6" from each corner slightly angled in).  They respond pretty well to the Sony, which is supposedly 100WPC @ 8ohm.  

I've read everything from give them 300W to a 44WPC will make them thump.  Its very confusing...

I found this insightful - but I'm still confused haha:

https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/7fcc5r/can_someone_explain_why_a9010_drives_harder_at_4/

I think the real issue is that the Kappa's are more demanding than a 4 ohm speaker. I dont see an impedance curve which would show how often there is a demand for high power/current.
  The Onkyo will certainly drive your speakers, but you may be missing out on detail and texture in the bass frequencies. It's possible that the speaker's demand during peaks and transients may push the amp into clipping, which is distortion.

With this combo you are at the very minimum of what the speakers demand. Have you looked at the next model up the ladder?, I forget the model number.

I certainly don't want to spend 400 and run into problems with clipping!  There is THIS I found last night and its 299...  https://www.ebay.com/itm/Onkyo-A-9050-Integrated-Stereo-Amplifier-Black-2x75W-Channel-MPN-A-9050/223...

Would this be a safer bet?  I appreciate your help, thank you!

I agree.  Anyone know of a higher power Amp in the 400-500 range that is of some descent quality?  I don't need a Receiver, just an Integrated Amp, or a 2 Channel Amp.  

And isn't it strange though on the A-9050 that the 8 ohm rating is higher than the 4 ohm rating?  Shouldn't that be the other way around?

I advised me to get the TT and a preamp now and start enjoying the LP's, then worry about the Amp later...  I bashed everything...

That should read "He" and not "I" in both instances above.  No idea how that happened

I visited a pretty amazing HiFi store today (was in AWE of all the gear connected and on display - stuff that's way out of my league unfortunately).  The owner was really knowledgeable and we spoke for some time about my setup and where I was trying to get.  I advised me to get the TT and a preamp now and start enjoying the LP's, then worry about the Amp later...  I bashed everything that wasn't American or British made lol and recommended the Rega P1 and Rega Fono Mini to get me into the game.  His prices were good and I want to support him.  I left convinced of his wisdom, but thought I ask here for input on that trajectory.  TT now and Amp later???  

lowrider57 TY for that link!  Bookmarked.

Just thought I would give an update: I am enjoying music! I ended up getting the PLX 1000 and an Audio Technica VM760SLC Cartridge. I have a Pro-Ject Tube Box DS as a preamp and I just rolled my first tubes into it, a matched pair of 12AX7 Sylvania/Baldwin Reference Plus Grade NOS Tubes circa 1954 (only 10 hours on them and the sound is already warmer, smoother, with more texture through the midrange). My only issues have been STATIC! I have a funk firm achromat on order, as well as KAB dampener. Oh, and I also just bought a Yamaha AS801 which is in the mail. Can’t wait for that to arrive! I think I need a record washer to help get the static down... Anyhow I wanted to let you all know where I’m at and say thank you for all the help!  I've come a long way in a month.  :)