@millercarbon I totally disagree concerning the demotion of digital sound to analog sound. They are different but not incompatibly inferior to one another. My CD reproduction has the same (or better) PRAT, tonality and dynamics as my analog reproduction. The analog has the extra breath of life. Analog can also have many problems from the vinyl pressing. The biggest difference is mastering and either one can have great or not so great mastering. I used to do all my semi-professional recordings on R2R, then DAT, now on a digital recorder. I know the difference is there but there exists an advantage to each type.
As to turntable/arm/phone stage/cartridge-My modded $1100 1989 purchase of an SME IV arm sold last year new retail at $4600. My phono stage would cost over $10K today (I paid $1500 20 years ago). The Audio Interface SUT is now again available directly from Jensen transformers at the same price. My turntable is a VPI TNT VI and would cost at least as much as I paid to replace it, if not more. Only the cartridge is expendable and I chose to pay $2K 14 years ago. Now I'm looking at $3K to $3.5K. I am not willing to spend more even though I can afford a more expensive cartridge. I like my tonearm because it is so durable and VTA is not as critical per LP as some other high end arms.
As to turntable/arm/phone stage/cartridge-My modded $1100 1989 purchase of an SME IV arm sold last year new retail at $4600. My phono stage would cost over $10K today (I paid $1500 20 years ago). The Audio Interface SUT is now again available directly from Jensen transformers at the same price. My turntable is a VPI TNT VI and would cost at least as much as I paid to replace it, if not more. Only the cartridge is expendable and I chose to pay $2K 14 years ago. Now I'm looking at $3K to $3.5K. I am not willing to spend more even though I can afford a more expensive cartridge. I like my tonearm because it is so durable and VTA is not as critical per LP as some other high end arms.