Once can buy most things in hifi if one waits, trick is to know what the final destination is. I kind of know it with digital and speakers, I want to know it with TT
I don't think there is a final destination with vinyl. Just ask your friend marc (Spiritofmusic). If there was, he would not be flirting with the Saskia II over his already excellent rim drive TransFi with linear tracking arm. In very general terms, I have found that better, but not necessarily more expensive, turntables do a better job of lowering noise levels. It becomes easier to hear more of the music, and it becomes more emotionally moving. There are fewer easily identifiable artifacts obscuring the sound. This is usually incremental, in matters of degree, but the better the turntable, the more extended it is, the quieter it is, the bigger the sound, the higher the resolution. Essentially, the more natural and believable it sounds.
My advice is to hear as many vinyl based systems as you can and contact people with experience with different types of tables. Things to consider: current or vintage, drive type, high/low mass, suspended or on isolation platform or neither. Number of arms. You could start with a lower cost table/arm/cartridge that sounds good and does little/no damage to the LPs. Discover if it is for you and experience what is involved with vinyl. Steve Williams is doing just that. He started at an extremely high level but is learning a lot, I am sure. Vinyl is a commitment and one that should not be taken lightly, but it can be extremely rewarding and bring you endless pleasure.
I have a good a good friend who knows my system very well. He decided to get into vinyl when I took my former SME Model 10 to his system and compared it to his digital. Ultimately, he decided to go in a different direction and over a few years managed to buy (all used) an SME V-12 arm, a Durand Telea I, an AirTight PC-1 Supreme, a Benz MR? and a near-mint Technics SP10MK3 with a Albert Porter Panzerholz plinth. We just assembled the parts and he now has a vinyl rig which will perform very well at a fairly reasonable cost.
I can't say if this is his final destination, but it is at the very least, a serious start.
You are right to ask lots of questions. Enjoy the process and learn as much as you can. Congratulations.