I use an AR turntable, it was reasonably well reviewed when new in the early '80s though not in LP12 league. However I did a lot of mods with chassis stiffening and new bearing and spindle (used a phos-bronze valve guide), plus loading the platter with some lead to improve speed and damping and it turned out quite respectable. Linn LVX arm is competent if not high end. I use a moving coil cartridge into an Audiolab 8000A.
The AR weren't overly expensive when new, £160 or so (though equivalent to around £300 now I guess) and had a bit of afollowing so you might pick one up for sensible cash. Like
this maybe (note arm not included)
Turntables and vinyl are all about black art and witchcraft, everything will affect what it sounds like, even things like the platter mat. Fun if you're a techy nerd, boring otherwise.