Pioneer Direct Drives - Now and then?

I’m blown away at your post Eric.  You have been a member since 2005, 9000 posts, and you sound like this will be your first turntable. You want to spend $1000 but you claim you will buy as little as 5 albums.  You also want to set it and forget it.  Unlikely.   Why bother?
Having said that my first table was a Pioneer PL -530.  Semi-automatic.  It worked wonderfully for many years including being packed for several international moves. One of these might scratch your itch on the cheap.

Hi Erik
Weird suppositions guy here.  Guilty as charged. I have read your posts for a long time and enjoy your enthusiasm for audio.   I was/am surprised (blown away) that your diy energy had not yet bubbled over into vinyl, a tweaker’s dream.  I assumed an experienced audiophile like you would already have listened to enough vinyl to make a decision. My bad. Not for everyone of course, due to the cost, additional work and space involved. “Why bother?” is a question everyone must ask themselves, especially those who are already happily into streaming.  I also think you got me going when you predicted only buying five records.  All the best,
David