Best Turntable/arm/cartridge system for $30k

If you take away one zero, there might be some reasonable recommendations for specific units (complete, or separate TT, TA, cart,) but at $30K there are just TOO MANY great rigs you could put together!

Not knowing your musical tastes (if specific) or your preferences for placement/operation of a TT, or what kind of phono preamplification you're prepared to provide (or possibly already have in your existing preamp) anyone who would try to advise you at this point would be doing you a disservice IMO.

I'll say this: if you're just starting out in vinylog, I'd suggest you avoid the high-ticket stuff for now, and get a (quality) entry-level unit from Music Direct, or Acoustic Sounds, and spend a little more time with the medium. After a while, you'll learn what the different kinds of (higher priced) hardware can/can't do, and you'll probably be able to make up your own mind; or at least ask specific questions about specific gear.
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I agree with Tom (as I already said) about not taking the plunge right away, but I do not agree with his suggestions, which, although excellent, are beyond what I would consider quality entry level ;-)

I was thinking more along the lines of any complete system under $3K on these pages:
http://www.musicdirect.com/category/21

If one is going to "go for it" it takes lots of information and personal experience (along with "ample resources" ;-) Otherwise you are going to wind up buying someone else's dream!
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I'm sorry, but as much as I respect Raul's (and other's) very fine recommendations, you are asking someone who apparently has NO experience with vinylog, to spend a great deal of money (I don't care how rich he is!) on something that may not be the best for him. And, worst of all, he will never know it!

Or do you all think Mr. Arwp should buy SEVERAL assorted $30K analog rigs according to all these wonderful recommendations, and then decide which one he likes best ?? ;-) C'mon . . . . .!

If Mr. Arwp in fact wants to try vinylog simply as a cure for 'digital dissatisfaction' as some have suggested (are you Mr. Arwp?) then perhaps some 're-thinking' is in order. Either of those formats can be very satisfying with the right combination of hardware (and as Raul so beautifully points out, "money helps"!) However, the road to Audio Nirvana is littered with poor souls who were never really happy with either format. Y por que? Because they didn't spend enough time getting the most they could out of their room and their WHOLE system -- everything!

My point, Mr. Arwp, is that you've already spent Thirty Thousand Dollars on some VERY FINE digital playback equipment. At that $$ level, it should give you QUITE a lot of enjoyment, regardless of the brand (nothing is a 100% ;-) so perhaps your source equipment and the format aren't the problem? In the Vietnam War and now in Iraq, everytime there was a problem, they threw more money at it! That might work occasionally, accidentally, but it's NOT the way to learn anything ;-(

I'm not trying to discourage you from exploring vinylog, Mr. Arwp, just from spending too much money up front; not when I'm unconvinced that the (digital) format is at the root of your sonic unhappiness.
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