I've never seen a table on Audiogon in your range that could exceed a new Technics 1200. One from Musicians Friend and a $100 cart like AT440 would be an excellent set-up.A great upgrade path exists for the table with the damping trough from KABUSA as funds allow. Then perhaps a used Grado Sonata.
You can read my short article on tweaking the suspension farther down the road.