Who will survive? One last table til I die.

Tom mentions

...a device that specs worse...

I agree. Esepcially considering how the relevant spec is measured: sine waves.
Hardly conclusive regarding complex signals like music!

Steve- being on an identical quest some time ago, I came up with the following criteria (for what they're worth):
* simple design meaning user-friendly servicing (which ruled out Goldmund, for example)
* if possible, easy to replace parts subjected to wear
* very simple set-up
* a manufacturer that provides "life" guarantee & parts, &/OR freely gives specs for user replacement of parts (bearings, suspension, belt...)
* Of course good sound is a must...
I believe that you'll narrow down the manufacturers using these criteria. I doubt you'll need to spend $10k for the TT (cartridge not included).

The ONLY issue I could NOT address was (and is) the arm: how can I service the arm if heavy damage occurs? 15 yrs down the line, I still haven't cracked that one (other than taking care not to break the arm!!!) I do have replacements for all other wearable items for the arm.

BTW, my choice was a Simon Yorke TT. There's virtually no set-up (ok, you have to plug it into the mains, affix a cartridge to the arm & set overhang & vta; levelling the TT is also recommended:) That's it). All the metal parts are rugged, the belt is replaceable (by S Yorke -- but other belts can also apply), the three springs (suspension) are replaced for free -- BUT you can also get the specs for these & buy industrial grade replacements... & so on.

Steve, when I was looking there wasn't much available that fit the criteria: among those considered was the big P Lurne (too complicated & many lacquered wooden parts so, vulnerable), the P Triangle Export (too finical & I wanted "better" sound), Oracle (it seemed too complicated too, although robust looking), Townsend Rock (irreplaceable parts -- I liked that one though), VPI (good construction, but too many wooden parts & "complicated" set-up to get the voiving I wanted)...

The Teres (a good idea from Twl who's researched these things) wasn't around.

So, the somewhat expensive (then; nowadays "reasonable") S. Yorke, looked good; with a bog-standard outboard motor (easily replaceable), no wood apart from the basic board that serves as an armboard, no "belt" problem (being outboard, the motor is placed wherever you like; in fine, you only need a thin rubber band of reasonabley large diametre to make the platter turn -- sorry this doesn't sound very hi-end, but it's true, I've done it), it looked promising.
It also sounded good (better to my ears than the Lurne+parallel arm+ the good'ole Grasshopper), which was heart-warming.

Strangely, the cartridge doesn't worry me; I have a feeling (i.e. no corroborating evidence) these will be around for a while... the fact that products like Shelter pop up, are a consolation. Clearaudio also seems set to last for some time, and others -- I can't vouch for the VdHul Colibri, but who knows?

As to the arm, I've decided to get an extra one, when finances allow -- a VERY user-friendly unipivot, hopefully available for around $ 1k. Hopefully, I'll make do with that & my present arm (I only have ~3000 LPs now, nothing like your collection!)
Cheers