Turntable recommendation

Second that on the VPI Prime Scout , Its a fantastic table!!!!!!

VPI scout is gone. Any other suggestions ?

Here is one. It has been completely reconditioned. And, add an zyx r100h new old stock cartridge, that I bought for it and mounted, for and extra 650 and you are in vinyl heaven.

This table is dead quiet and spot on speed accurate with the addition of cruise control speed control that I added.
http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649363511-vpi-hw-19-mkiii/

Thorens TD3001. Gives you 100% high end.

@ei001h wrote: " Is there a quality unit that I can get for $1500-2000 that would give me 90-95% sound and built quality of a high-end unit ?"

No, not really. Sure, you can find a table that you'll enjoy listening to, but $1,500 - $2,000 will only get you a decent turntable. You'll still have to buy the tonearm, wiring, cartridge, and cabling.

The phono stage in your McIntosh is decent but only does MM, although you can always opt for a high output MC.

It is folly to expect that spending $2,000 will get you to 95% of a $20,000 'high-end' unit.

My suggestion would be to buy the best deck you can afford now (i.e. Oracle, VPI, Linn, Michell, Roksan, etc.) and then upgrade the other components in the future.