The turntable that I am using, is a DIY project. It is based on a 80 mm acrylic platter and bearing from Scheu Analogue (I believe the brand is known as Eurolab in USA). It is a rigid construcion with no suspension standing on 3 Boston Audio tuneblocks. The Plinth is made out of multiple layers of birch plywood that has been dampend with about 25 pounds of led shots. It also has a rubber/cork compound layer. I'm currently experimenting with armboard material, and will try solid maple, plywood with a cork layer, aluminium and several others.
In regards to future cartridge investments, I'm probably going to end up buying a Shelter 901 or Perhaps a Dynavector 17DMKII in between the Denon and the Shelter.
Initially my budget for a new tonearm was around $1000, but I am now considering maybe spending a little more and going for the really great arm right away. I figure I'm probably going to upgrade again, so why not do it straight away. That brings me in the range of the Graham 2.2, Basis Vector, Origin Live Illustrious and others in the $1500 range (used).
