Smoothest and best sounding turntable/cartridge combo up to $1600??

Thorens 145 and 160 variants are generally a pretty smooth sounding table.  Depending on what you mean by restored will vary its performance level. If it is essentially stock then modding it would elevate it tremendously. A better plinth and tonearm will get you a table that performs amazing. However, that can add 500 to your investment and require some level of skill and time committed.

Also, the 440 is not, imo, a smooth sounding cartridge. A Denon 301 mkii, if you can run it, is. A Denon 110 is also a bit more on the smooth side, too.

The Shure m97xe is also smooth sounding and a great value. It doesn't have the same level of resolution as the other two recomendation.

A Rega arm works really well on your table and beats the pants out of anything in its price range.

BTW, a Linn lp12 or We'll Tempered Record Player are also good choices if you must go with a new table.

Some folks don't like the Linn basic plus arm, or its variants, but find them ok.

I probably should have stated that your phono section and cartridge are two ways to better calibrate your listening preferences.

To Ray, Thank you for the reply and information. I have a strong suspicion the TP 60 tonearm is a liability in finding the best match  of cartridges. Plus, the headshell presents serious adjustment problems for azimuth and overhang.   therefore, to say it another way, the tonearm is not good and possibly a turkey. The Denon 301 MkII is (I think) a low output cartridge. The Denon 110 is bit higher output, but my Rogue Sphinx v1 needs at least a 3-4 mV  to accommodate the Denon.   But, I will check it out.