Can anyone recommend a decent inexpensive turntable?

[Wain]

Hey all, I just remembered that there are actually quite a few people with varying levels of audiophilism around here and figured I'd ask.

I need to buy a turntable, nothing exotic, I'm not doing any DJ'ing or mixing, it's just that I've recently acquired a rather large collection of well taken care of opera recordings and I'd like to listen to them/transfer them over to my computer.

I have professional audio gear on my machine I have no concerns about the actual hookup, I have phono rated plugs and a grounding lead, but I don't know anything about turntables.

I did a little reading online and it sounds like I need a direct drive system, which looks more expensive, but I dunno how much any of this or cartridge heads or the like actually matter.  Quality is a concern, but only with a balanced price-point and I'm trying not to spend $500-1000.

Any ideas, advice, or recommendations?

thanks

[Wain]

Some of those technics from the sl1200 line look like they might be exactly what I need..will continue researching, but thanks for the advice.

The laser thing is amazing and also unconditionally insane.

lol

[Wain]

Good idea to keep in mind about renting, but I really need to add a turntable to my overall arsenal even though I would not use it all that often.

I've done some reading up on cartridges and tone-arm balancing and think I have the gist of everything I need to make a (semi)informed choice...at least for my needs which are not all that great.

While I could only wish for 78's, these are just well-kept 33's.

[Wain]

@Trev

That's what I'm starting to see, but researching the technics has springboarded me over to reading about Rega Planar models and some other types, so these suggestions and ideas are proving very helpful across the board.

Thanks guys.