Record player recommendations?

U-Turn Audio

Very nice beginner turntables and you can spend less or more than your budget. I have a U-Turn and it works great.

Music Hall, Fluance, Rega, U-Turn, and Pro-Ject. Take your pick. I personally think the Fluance RT-85 is the best bang for the buck in the price range given the Ortofon Blue cartridge. I think U-Turn is better at the $400 range but the U-Turn Special @550 comes with an Ortofon Red cartridge which is a step down from the Blue. The Red is a $100 cartridge and the Blue is a $200 cartridge.

You ask about other gear which begs me to make sure you have a receiver/integrated with a phono input. If not you will need a phono pre-amp which could change the whole discussion.

It would also be helpful if you listed the gear you plan to use the turntable with just to make sure your aren't overspending compared to your gear unless you plan to upgrade it. You could also be understanding your associated gear but your budget is set so that isn't an issue.

I have an NAD Masters Series M33 driving my system and Dynaudio Special 40 speakers. I love my setup.

That said, speakers are something you need to listen to if at all possible. I love silk dome tweeters as I find metal twetters to be harsh and fatiguing to my ears. Others swear by metal tweeters and drivers.

Technic

Any brands that one should avoid?

Posting so I can check back in on this later. I always appreciate your deep dive posts on subjects you’re passionate about, Obtuse

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Always end up blowing out my budget when it comes to a hobby. Pool (pocket billiards). Metal detecting. Astronomy. I don't generally buy THE best, but look for the absolute best bang for the buck.....then take a hard look at the next step up.

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One thing to note is there has never been a time in the history of audio reproduction to build a 2 channel system on a budget.

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I hate buying something cheap and then thinking that I could have spent a bit more for much better quality.

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I am with you. That being said I have never known anyone that got into the hobby and bought their end-game system at ther beginning. Tastes change, wallet changes, understanding changes, and price/performance ratios change in what gear is available. You can spend a load to begin with then realize you bought chocolate ice cream (no matter how good) when you realize you are a vanilla fan. Sometimes you can switch out components and get your vanilla and sometimes you are hamstrung and have to clean slate it again to get vanilla.

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As for room acoustics, might toss that out the window in my case. A simple bedroom for now,

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While you might not be starting with a room with the Golden ratio (1x1.6x2.56) you can always improve room acoustics and broadband absorption and dispersion panels can be used in your next room. I wouldn't use targeted low frequency absorption in a temporary room but you wouldn't have done that anyway. Just treating the first points of reflection will fundamentally change the quality of a system and it won't break the bank especially if you DIY the panels. Some 1x4 material, some of the correct insulation, some acoustically transparent fabric, and a little work and you have a quality broadband absorption panel. Acoustic treatments, especially if you DIY, are the best bang for the buck in audio. It is also the thing that most people avoid doing all together. It is kinda like buying a new Ferrari and putting the tires off a Camry on it. Normally the biggest issue with acoustic treatments is the SAF (spousal acceptance factor).

I distinctly remember wearing out The Bellamy Brothers, Teddy Pendergrass, Merle Haggard, Charley Pride and Conway Twitty when growing up in the 70's-early 80's.

Then cassettes came along.