Phono preamp and Turntable

In the $2k range, buy used to maximize your buying power.

For phono preamps:
Gram Slee Era Gold mkV - $600-700 used
EAR 834P - $650-800 used
Rogue Audio Stealth - $600-700 used
Musical Surroundings Phonomena - $650

Turntables:
VPI is fantastic because they are always upgradable in the future. You can pick up a VPI Scout w/ JMW-9 tonearm for ~$1.1k

Hi, For the money it's hard to beat the Music Hall MMF7,orMMF9.If you buy a used table,a Linn Sondek LP12 is a fine unit,and they are upgradeable.As for cartridge and phono preamp,I would be reluctant to make any recomendations without knowing what kind of music you listen to.Some setups sound great for say accoustic classical or jazz but are horrible playing blues or rock. The gixerman

I forget to include money for a decent cartridge, but can start (and possibly finish) with the highly regarded Denon DL-103R for ~$225 brand new.

Don't let that price fool you, it can keep pace with many of the $1k+ carts all day long.

More phono pres:
Dynavector P-75 - $600 new, $375 used
Pro-Ject Phono Box SE - $300 new
Pro-Ject Tube Box - $550 new, $300 used

Anyway, a VPI Scout, JMW-9 tonearm, the Denon 103R, and the Gram Slee Era or EAR 834P will give you a terrific, no hassle, sound. You'll need one of the Denon AU-3000(?) stepup transformers to boost the 103R's output up For the Gram Slee, but not the EAR 834P.