Best TT setup for 2k

Any recommendations on a reasonable phono pre? $500ish. Would go somewhat higher if I need to. 

Yeah I would love to listen for myself before I buy but it’s not very feasible. Nowhere within several hours that sells this stuff and even then I would be hearing it on a totally different system. I try to buy used anytime I can or get at least a 20% discount on new. That way I can keep playing around and not losing money while doing it. Usually make a few bucks since I buy smart. 
 

I just realized my Micromega M100 has a phono input. I do however think it digitizes the analog with bothers the crap out of me but…. If it sounds good I guess. It’s ok. 
 

I was planning on hooking the TT up to a tube integrated but will try this first. 

Everything I have had from Jolida is freakin excellent for the price. I don’t doubt the phono preamp is very good and it’s one I’m considering. 
 

I just bought a Jolida 302CRC with some pretty nice tubes in it and kinda dumbfounded at how good it is. One of the amps I use and pushing 150lb speakers and it really sounds great. 

Ahh forgot to mention if I do go with another Tt I think I would definitely want one that pulls the arm automatically when the record is over. Unless there is some kind of down side to that. 

OP here.

So I kinda fizzled out and didn't do anything with the TT. About a week ago got it all hooked back up and set the tone arm weight correctly, cleaned the records etc. It was sounding pretty good. Before I was using an Emotiva 100 buck phono pre and it was pretty dry and 1 dimensional. I picked up a nice Sansui A9500 and the phono pre in that sounds waay better. Yesterday I picked up an Ortofon Bronze cartridge and it is pretty night and day better than the red that came with the Project especially for detail and 3 dimensionality. 

I want to continue on an upgrade path but not real sure where to go from here. An acrylic platter for 150 bucks for the Project may be a good upgrade? I guess lets say I had another 1500 bucks to blow. Upgrade from the Project all together and put nothing more into it, put more into it, spend it on a better phono pre?  What would you experienced peeps spend that on? I am vinyl ignorant. I'm really diggin the new cartridge and I think that's good enough for now and I could always use it on another TT. Tube phono pre sounds interesting. 

One thing I am learning is records are kind of a bitch to keep clean so probably need to invest in a reasonable record cleaner as well!

Thanks

Yes preferably up then back :). 

Impulse buy today found a local Marantz TT15s1. Ended up negotiating for 850 with the Marantz dust cover included which costs 250. Was told only had about 20 hours on it. Who knows if that’s true but seems like a really good deal. Looks like upgrade phono preamp is next.