I would never suggest that anyone buy below their WANTS because we all have something we go "over the top" on. I certainly do-- read the electrical set-up below my signature. ;> Having said that, my opinion is: get a top-of-the-line contractor's saw. Why?
1.) While it's true that one should avoid the "pretend" table saws that are available for under $200 at Sears, Home Depot and, (for all I know), Toys-BackwardsR-Us, it's equally true that there are a lot more cabinet saws in hobbyist's shops than there are cabinet-saw quality hobbyists using them. 2.) If, as you state, precision and a perfect fit are your goals as a beginner, then you will achieve them faster and continue reaching them longer by buying the best contractor saw you can afford and putting the other 800 to 1000 dollars into a week's worth of education at a good woodworking school. It isn't the brush that paints the picture, it's the artist. Studying with people who really know their craft is priceless. 3.) We-- (Americans)-- put too much emphasis on tablesaws, anyway. An awful lot of this world does just fine with a really good bandsaw as their weapon of choice. Consider that with the exception of dadoing, everything you do on a table saw is going to be only the first step in the overall process of dimensioning lumber. Other machinery or hand tools are going to be required to dress out what you cut. It's in those stages that you achieve the precision you're looking for. (Cutting plywood doesn't qualify here, either. Precision plywood cutting for panels, backs and bottoms is dependent on a quality fence and proper feeding technique, not a "quality" cabinet saw.) 4.) Should you decide, in the future that you just can't get through a project without cutting lotso 3" thick Maple and you just gotta have more horseys, you'll be glad to have a second saw to use as a dedicated Dado machine. Think of how cool you'll be in your neighborhood as the only guy with not one, but two tablesaws. 5, and finally.) It will, (or should, anyway) cost you at least another several hundred dollars for the quality support tools you will need to reach the precision you say you demand. Squares, guages, markers, chisels, planes, etc., aren't cheap. Matter o' fact they're darned pricey. Are they in your budget? Can't do quality precision work without them. What about Jointers, Planers, etc.? Got Money?Michael Who just moved and because of space and easement constraints is building a leetle 12X16 shop and has a 4-outlet 110V box on every other stud, and a 220V box about a foot off the floor below those. Fifty-six(!) 110's and 14(!) 220s for 192 square feet. That outtabout doit.
12X16 Building materials: $2500 All the above electrical capacity: $300 and counting. The ability to plug something in right HERE, and not have to settle for "over there": Priceless. :)