I use an Optimus LAb 1100 turntable with built-in preamp, pretty cheap even new.
The tapedeck doesn't seem to need one because I'm taking the signal from the earphone socket. This tapedeck doesn't have any other way of transmitting a preamplified signal, and an amplified, i.e, speaker signal, will blow the soundcard. I've found.
I've used two digitising programs, L.P.Recorder and Polderbits Sound Recorder. These are similar and easy to understand, but the Polderbits makes it easier to turn the file into a CD, dividing individual tracks, and it also has a small sound editor. $20 programs.
Bloody tedious business, though, so I mostly burn-to-CD just one 40-60minute file, the whole LP, and if I need just one song, I'll see to it later direct from the LP. Of course I save the file on two seperate HDs.
It takes over one hour to turn an LP into a CD, so if you value your time, maybe you should check Ebay for a CD version of the LP.