Diving back into analog...which turntable to buy

unless you have enough LPs I would just not do it.....

A used VPI table with the arm and carts that are often bundled with them. I bought a Scout with the 20X MC HO on the JMW memorial arm for $1800 new. If you can bargain and spend a little more it's a great set up. There areother les expensive VPIs you may want to investigate.

Table, arm, cartridge, and phono amp, for a grand?! That's not going to buy anything that will equal your Esoteric. But I don't understand---do you already own LP's? If so, why don't you still have a record player? If you don't now have any LP's, are you really going to start buying them now? Why, when digital is finally starting to pay off?!

Go to the web firm "U-Turn Audion". Great gear, value priced, great sound. If you don't agree they will refund your money. Things have changed.

IF your are diving in you need to put more water in the pool.
Seriously, wait and save. I have my opinions about tables/arms but they are a bit outside the box for most on here.