To answer your last question first - I think the cost advantage analog used to have over digital is starting to slip as digital systems improve. There is still a trade off between detail and warmth, but digital systems seem to be able to bridge that gap with greater ease than the current crop of TTs I have heard recently (<$5K).
As for what you should spend on a TT now, I think you can get a TT setup that starts to approach the elements you want in a good turntable for $1300-$1500 new. Things like decent speed control, quiet motor, good tracking and a stiff tone arm just to name a few. It wont be a world beater, but it will play music with rhythm and some bass authority.
I currently own an older budget table and was shopping recently for tables in the $700 to $1500 range. Even using with modest electronics for demos, I could hear the difference in the more expensive tables. Depending on the rest of your set up, you can probably get a new table that will have you tapping your toes in this upper price range. Much above that and you will be wasting your money IMHO unless you have a very good phono amp and other gear up the line.
Here are some tables I would look at in this price range:
-Clearaudio Emotion/Satisfy
-Music Hall MMF-7.1
-Origin Live Aurora
-Pro-Ject RM-6.1 SB
-Rega P3-24
-Sota Comet w/ S300 Tonearm
-VPI Scout (used)
As for what you should spend on a TT now, I think you can get a TT setup that starts to approach the elements you want in a good turntable for $1300-$1500 new. Things like decent speed control, quiet motor, good tracking and a stiff tone arm just to name a few. It wont be a world beater, but it will play music with rhythm and some bass authority.
I currently own an older budget table and was shopping recently for tables in the $700 to $1500 range. Even using with modest electronics for demos, I could hear the difference in the more expensive tables. Depending on the rest of your set up, you can probably get a new table that will have you tapping your toes in this upper price range. Much above that and you will be wasting your money IMHO unless you have a very good phono amp and other gear up the line.
Here are some tables I would look at in this price range:
-Clearaudio Emotion/Satisfy
-Music Hall MMF-7.1
-Origin Live Aurora
-Pro-Ject RM-6.1 SB
-Rega P3-24
-Sota Comet w/ S300 Tonearm
-VPI Scout (used)