I am by no means an expert in terms of hifi audio but from what i know so far, for that budget the only real option is to look into vintage equipment. Try ebay it seems to be the best place to look for that sort of stuff.

Good luck!

Do you have any stereo at all right now?

i don't think you can go wrong with this combination in your budget.

I just bought the very same combo -- Music Hall USB-1 turntable and Audioengine 2 loudspeakers -- for my youngest sister, who has just started college.

I reviewed a system like this in my May 2011 "Entry Level" column.  My friends, Natalie and Kristen, both bought Music Hall USB-1 turntables and Audioengine speakers and they love their systems.

Hi. Great to hear of someone getting in to vinyl in this digital age. My turntable, cd player and amplifier are all used/second hand. Ideally you'll be able to buy used equipment from a hi-fi dealer. If not read the reviews to get a short list. The obvious contenders would be a Rega Planar 2, a Technics SL1200 (better than a DJ deck if you modify it) with an Audio Technica 95e cartridge and Sumiko headshell, a  Thorens TD 160, or an Acoustic Research.

I'm not familiar with Music Hall turntables. They look the same as the Project range of turntables made in the Czech Republic.

Most new integrated amplifiers probably won't have a phono stage. Fortunately the older and cheaper ones will. E.g. Rotel or Marantz.

I agree it's best to concentrate spending on records and hold off on buying something high end until you have a larger record collection.

(NT)