Vinyl***What If***

For LPs I recommend buying brand new reissues - to avoid the hassle of dealing with cleaning and the search for better condition used copies. Add an RCA record brush and fluid (cheap) for dusting. And some Magic Eraser for stylus cleaning - plus a bottle of Stylast preservative.

Connect the Empire/Grado straight into the mm phono inputs on the Cayin. No need at this point for a separate phono stage! 

My recommendation for the OP is to forego the vinyl and stick to digital. His budget will not support a vinyl experience. In addition the commitment that vinyl requires is not demonstrated in his post or subsequent posts. It would be a great waste of monetary resources for the OP. Just my opinion.

I agree with a lot that is said here. I have a lot of records so I have invested in a decent analog setup. If I did not, I would probably make digital a priority first.

If you go cheap, your robbing yourself of good sounding vinyl.  I went cheap with my first TT and record cleaning methods.  I hated the sound.  Spotify sounded better.  Cd's were even bigger change.  I saved for rainy day fund, for about a year and bought a better TT and record cleaner and accessories.  Spent about 6 or 7k on that.  Then spent another 3k on vinyl.  This hobby is not cheap.  But once your get set-up you do not need to fiddle with anything for awhile.  Then the addiction follows......