Best Turntable/arm/cartridge system for $30k

Sounds like your mind is made up.

In order to be sure of getting the best, maybe go used here on A'gon.

If you find a supportive seller, you might be able to pick up a $60000 rig for only $30000.

Mapman, the only problem with your recommendation is that Arwp would not hear what he is buying before he buys it.

I would agree that most shows are quite poor for auditioning components. I go to most and have seldom hear anything apart from a quick comparison with and without something that resulted in my buying something. The best circumstance is to compare components in your home, but this is largely impossible. I would not trust reviews either. We all have only our ears and few have the same frequency response in their hearing.

I suspect making a first time foray into analog with a $30,000 rig is going to be a very, very expensive lesson, which is why the easiest and least expensive route will be following the lead of someone who has already made the mistakes and assembled a successful vinyl front end in that price range.

I basically agree with Jaybo, but would spend $6k on a table / arm / cartridge, another $3k on a Loricraft and other cleaning supplies and a MintLP protractor, and the rest on vinyl.

Arwp, in your budget range by careful selection you can get a no compromise analog system that is within a hair's breadth of absolute state of the art. Again, I wouldn't even think about buying anything in this price range without an audition and would discount recommendations posted online. You are looking to purchase a long term solution, just as your digital system has been.