Pip, Pro-Ject turntables are great, although not as cheap as they used to be. Made in the Czech Republic by the way. Don't be sad about the lack of onboard preamp - I find mine to be most peculiar, but this may be because it's plugged into a Linn Classik which seems to have weird input impedances.

IMHO the Ion and similar USB turntables are frequently overpriced for what they are. This also goes for the battery USB cassette player - PC World wanted £40 for one last time I looked. They gotta be kidding.