Thanks for the reply...
Yes I have a Pioneer integrated amp SA-6500ii and a Denon PMA-700v. Vintage or new makes no difference but I want a quality set-up.
I had that same Pioneer amp in the 1970's as part of my first component system and thought it worked quite well. Both of your amps have phono stages, so you don't need a turntable with one built-in; however, a great many of the lower-cost entry-level models come with a built-in phono stage (which can usually be bypassed, if you like, with a simple switch).
When it comes to sound quality, I haven't heard a better sounding entry-level deck than the Rega Planar 1. There are similar products from Pro-Ject (the Debut Carbon DC) and Music Hall (the MMF 2.3), but I like the sound of the Rega best (its edge in pace, rhythm, and dynamics makes every record a more involving experience). It appears you have a dealer in your area called The Sound Environment. There may be others.
That same shop also sells the very interesting Music Hall MMF 1.5, a slightly lower-priced deck ($399) with some possibly useful features, such as a removable headshell for easy exchange of cartridges (though at the cost of reduced rigidity and ultimately lower performance) and easily switchable speeds of 33 1/3, 45, and even 78 rpm. You don't need its built-in phono stage now, but it might prove useful in the future, especially if you keep this "starter" turntable for a second system or simply as a second turntable for easy playback of 45's and 78's. I haven't heard this model, but it has gotten some very good reviews. The most positive thing any review can say about a turntable is that one feels compelled to play record after record, and that's how Steve Guttenberg felt about the MMF 1.5.
"This time Elvis spoke to me, his phrasing and power, and his band's rockin' rhythms got my juices flowing. The mmf-1.5 brought me closer to Elvis' music, the production and sound quality, which I never noticed before. The mmf-1.5 may not have the gutsy bass brawn of a big direct drive turntable like a Pioneer PLX 1000 ($699), but the mmf-1.5 wins on finesse and regularly occurring musical epiphanies that make it hard to stop playing one LP after another.
https://www.cnet.com/news/music-hall-mmf-1-5-turntable-brings-sound-and-style-together/
When it comes to buying hifi equipment, I'm a big fan of buying from a local shop, one that can actually demonstrate models you are interested in so you can see first hand what they are like to operate and listen to. They can also make sure it is set up correctly and deal with any issues you might have in getting the best from it in your own system.
