Buying a new TT today

For $2k I suggest an Mofi Ultradeck.  Designed collaboration from establish audio designers/manufacturers.  Many great reviews.  If you can stretch to $2.5k,  buy their combo turntable/cartridge deal and save $300 off the Master Tracker cartridge - also very good reviews.  

So many reasonable opinions and suggestions here. But I'm going to be a contrarian. I owned a ProJect Debut Carbon DC for a few months, and...sorry, despite advice from well-informed friends, despite all the rave reviews, I HATED it. First of all, it made a mechanical hum that was infuriating, especially once I found out why. The internet will tell you, because many people have had this problem. The motor is isolated from the plinth and the platter by a rubber assembly that lets it "float"--except that the tension from the drive belt bends the capstan, in its floating mount, toward the platter, which apparently throws the speed off. So, to compensate for this, ProJect anchored the motor to the plinth with three screws and rubber washers. Of course, that "solution" simply negates the vibration isolation of the original design! I tried loosening the screws, removing them entirely, using different washers...I only got different hum frequencies and intensities.
The table also has a cue that never drops the stylus where you think it will. And the stand for the tone arm is just stupidly designed: too high, so that you have to learn to lift the arm high to miss bumping into it. And it's ugly to boot. So I sold it. Everybody wants them, for some reason, so they're not hard to re-sell.
I replaced it with a 15 year old Denon, and installed the Ortofon 2M Blue in it.
I've owned tables by Thorens, Lenco, AR, Gerrard, and Linn; the Denon is sweeter than any of them. I say "sweet" because it's more than just the sound. In fact, the Denon does sound great with the 2M Blue: very low noise floor, no hums at all, no audible variations, slow or fast, in pitch, etc., and the Ortofon cartridge tracks infallibly in the rather weird Denon arm, even on badly warped or damaged records. Vibration isolation is also great; I've had dance parties with no problems. But, besides the fine sound, this machine also performs beautifully. By "performs," I mean all the automatic things it does with balletic precision. I've always preferred manual tables, until now. Part of the pleasure I take in a piece of audio equipment is superlative engineering, and this table is so efficiently functional as to transcend mere engineering. The cue is precise every time, the buttons sure in feel, start and stop routines are carried out with real grace. And, in my opinion, it's a lovely object, too.
I mentioned the weird tone arm. Tracking and anti-skate are controlled by a chip; with the turntable turned off, the arm levitates at 0 grams. This is disconcerting, and if the chip ever fails, probably the whole thing is junk. But it's already more than 15 years old, and it functions flawlessly still. 
And the cost: bought used and then fitted with a new Ortofon 2M Blue, under $500!

snilf,

Ok, do not keep us in suspense. Which Denon is that?

I thought the OP had a set expendature of $2k. So, not what Mike said.

The Ovation is a great deck in a small neat package. German engineering, an ingenious magnetic anti-skate mechanism, DC/adjustable speed control...wow! Should be a keeper and be a show off of upgraded cartridges for years.

I hope you read this before comitting to what ever you buy . First the Ortofon red even though a good cartridge for its price is rather rough in its sound .

 But what ever cartridge you buy the ultimate sound you are able to get out of it depends on the tonearm and its support or turntable . Best sound quality for cartridges are in the moving coil camp which normally are low compliance so if you go with moving coil you would need a at least a medium mass tonearm and a high mass tonearm as best option .

Moving magnets are high compliance so a low mass arm would be best or a true medium mass as the ones that come with project turntables .

So whatever turntable you buy check the tonearm and its quality and mass . Rega makes excellent and very musically capable turntables and its tonearms are great . Clearaudio and VPI also design very capable turntables with very good tonearms . 

You can't go wrong wirh either of these options . Your Ortofon 2m red will sound better with any of them . If you go with Rega go from the 3 upwards , VPI scout upwards or Clearaudio concept upwards . All are in your price range with left over cash for a better cartridge ( but not much ) . Project also is a option in its higher range turntable but if it were me I'll go with the ones I mentioned . Take care .