Want to get into Analog

Larry, you are being totally inappropriate and I will explain. Most of these guys won't be able to tell whether it is record or cd playing, given similar level of equipment, unfamiliar music and analog mastering for cd. Even less probable with something like XRCDs.
But I have faith in Bill and frog. Damn, I myself sometimes get confused for a few seconds with my own system and very familiar music when analog recording is quite compressed.

To the OP. Don't listen to them or yourself regarding cheap DD tables. They are junk and will give you stupid even if at times sort of exciting sound. If you want real thing extend your budget and get Nottingham Analogue Interspace table/arm. Add Goldring 1042 MM cartridge and that will do it. For phono get Sutherland least expensive model. Another thing - buy only best pressings of records. Since you probably have no idea ask us, especially Bill. He's been roaming entire world for years searching for those, and finding them, usually. And clean the bloody records well on a machine.
Again, don't waist your hard or even if not hard earned dollars on mass market and DJ BS.

I do see Nottingham Interspace used from time to time for about $1500, rarely though. Not sure of the price for a new one, probably around $2.5k for table/arm. Usually, people keep their tables for a long time if they like them and only upgrade when they can go much higher, which in reality often means double the price.
New Technics might do too. A lot also depends on your music and sound preferences. There are reasons why the very best turntables are belt drive. In ideal world I would have two, both belt drive and direct drive, but that would be a totally different level of performance and cost in the dozens of thousands. $2.5k - $5k range for new table/arm will let you get into analog seriously. $500-$1k for cartridge and $1k - $1.5k for phono.