I had a Graco 3 stage I picked up at an pawn shop for seventy. It had the hose, but no gun. I bought a Harbor Freight HVLP gun for it and got good results. The gun tip was best suited for lightly thinned latex, so I never test drove it with shellac or lacquer. It gave good results for slapping latex on a door or two.
I also have a Capspray 4 stage and a Accuspray (conversion type). I love the Capspray, which I bought new, but which can be found on Craigslist from time to time and for around $400.00 (about 1/4th what I paid new). The Accuspray has one of the best guns out there and can hold 2-1/2 gallons, but is a whole lot more trouble to run and, since it incorporates its own compressor, weighs far more than the actual turbines.
I think a needle for the Capsprayer, to get better results with lacquer, runs about $70.00. Maybe.
Anyway, there are some killer deals on used. I just ran a check and you can get a Earlex for $200.00, a Fuji for $350.0. . . . .
I would try to shoot for a 4 stage, or better, for the most versatility over the years.