where to start analog

Albert makes a very good suggestion above. The Well Tempered has a very good main bearing system, and that is the heart of any analog rig.

Alot depends on your budget. "Spending a fortune" means different things to different people. While many times you may get more, when you spend more, that is not always the case. There are high-value items out there in the analog world, and used is a good way to go, as long as it is kept in good shape and packed and shipped carefully when it is sent to you.

If you want to be more specific about the budget, we can be more specific about the units that may give good performance at your price point, either new or used.

Dave, in that price category, Albert's suggestion is just about right, because it leaves you some room to get the other gear you need to get hooked up.

Other possiblities may be a used Linn LP12, or early Oracle. Possibly even a used Michell Gyrodec, but that is pushing it into a slightly higher price range.

For a new TT, you could consider a Rega P25, or a Music Hall MMF-7. You could look at the entry level Basis, Clearaudio, or a VPI. But they may be a little too high.

A Black Cube or Monolithic PS-1 phono stage are around $350 used. For a strictly MM section, you could look at the Gram Slee products for under $300 new. If you want to go real low priced on the phono section, you could look at the Sumiko Phono Box, or the Parasound.

The arm and cartridge are sort of dependant on the TT you select, and the Music Hall has the arm and cart already installed and ready to go. And a good one too.

If you get a TT without an arm, the Rega RB250,
or RB300 are about the best low cost arms you could get.

For a cartridge, I like the Goldring for MM, and Dynavector for HO MC, in the $350 price range.