I'm spending around $1,800 for TT, cartridge, used Goldmund cones and a used floating suspension. Add to that the Monolithic Sound phonostage ($550) and a set of short IC's ($275) from phono stage to linestage. I am starting to get some killer sound (w/o tonearm rewiring or TT cables), but I've taken a very unorthodox approach to this matter. My rig will need around $6K to be surpassed, if at all. I am using a KAB modded Technics SL-1200MKII w/ a modded Stanton Groovemaster. The deck's sound is accurate and neutral and the cartridge has a sound that is extremely musical, tight and neat, with a midrange that is close to that of $1,500 moving coils...
I do use a cryo'ed Absolute Power Cord for the phono stage's outnoard power supply and a Tice PC3 for my TT's outboard power supply, both plugged to a Clear Image T4 quad isolation transformer/filter array and run through a 220V transformer and a medical grade AC regenerator. The quality of your electricity will have a lot to do with final results.
I do use a cryo'ed Absolute Power Cord for the phono stage's outnoard power supply and a Tice PC3 for my TT's outboard power supply, both plugged to a Clear Image T4 quad isolation transformer/filter array and run through a 220V transformer and a medical grade AC regenerator. The quality of your electricity will have a lot to do with final results.