I would suggest that you get the Pro-Ject Essential USB turntable, which has a built-in USB interface and also a built-in Phono preamp; Needle Doctor sells it for $349. The USB is handy if you want to transfer an LP to your computer music library. 

I don't think much of the ART phono preamp. I am sure the one included with the above turntable is better.

If you really want to do it right, get the Project Carbon and spend the extra money to get the Musical Fidelity V90 phono preamp, which is excellent. It costs $229, but is definitely well worth it. If that is more than you want to spend, then the Project Phono Box MM is $99, and not too bad.

That is well over $400, but if you have the money it is well worth the money for the upgrades.

For cables, I suggest the Audioquest Red River or KIng Cobra interconnects, or any Audioquest cables.

If you don't want to get the Audioquest cables, I would suggest the Monoprice cables (#2869 or #2864).

They have gold-plated plugs and are very inexpensive (less than $5 per set).

i can recommend the music hall mmf 2.2 turntable. i can also recommend the musical fidelity v-lps 2 phono stage. i own both of these and they sound great. the turntable is $450 and the phono stage is $190. i don't know where in new york you are, but there is an authorized music hall dealer in victor, ny (it's in central upstate ny) good luck.