The acrylic platter is worth the extra, especially if you pick up an acrylic mat to go with it rather than a stock one. Hudson Hi-Fi do nice clear ones that goes with the aesthetic for about $20 last time I looked. Acrylic provides better coupling and tighter bass and if you get the acrylic mat too it’s less static and less dust contamination/retention over standard felt because it’s always visible and is really easy to clean.
The 2M red would actually be my absolute least favourite cartridge that I’ve had so personally I’d say avoid like the plague! Looking at their line up I’d probably pick the grado Black myself but the 2M blue is also a good performer.
Do you need a preamp or is there one built in to the amplifier/powered speakers that you are planning to use with it? If there is you can just use it and forget about one on the table. If there isn’t and you do need one I’d avoid a built in at all costs in favour of an outboard but equally what you would want to be spending on one is important.
Edit:
This is the Hudson mat I was talking about. They are out of stock on everything right now but it’s probably no harm to shoot them an email if it’s of interest.
