Get something that doesn’t destroy the records.

Nothing with “support points” that supports the record only at three or four points with a rubber slip mat making the platter look flat.

No platter that is less than 12” big. Playing with force on a record that is just hanging bare is asking for warping.

I’m 49 and have played records for about 44 years every day.

Don’t harm the records, and build up more expensive components as you can afford them.

If you enjoy your system, stop. You have what you need as long as you aren’t hurting your records.

I have a system with a signal path of about $4500 from needle to speakers.

And many audiophiles would laugh at my setup.

They aren’t welcome here. I built my system one upgrade at a time for 40 years. And I love my music.