Buying a new TT today

I believe you will get greater improvement from upgrading your cartridge. The impact they have is HUGE!!

I start with 2 positions that some folks will disagree with. For analog reproduction the turntable is the most important purchase. And, at a given price point (anywhere near what you would like to spend), a belt drive will provide better SQ than a direct drive.

That being said I would suggest a used VPI. Because a TT is a mechanical device you can quickly evaluate what you get (including a look at the bearing and thrust pad--ask the seller to photograph these). There are lots of VPIs out there so you should find something at your budget. There’s also lots of help out there from VPI owners, and at VPI and its forum, should you need it. They are flexible and upgradeable.

The major advantage, as I see it, of a DD TT is the "set it and forget it" ease of operation--no fussing. If you see that as a major factor then go for it.

VPI Scout Prime - You can score a 'demo' or 'blem' for $2,000. From there you are into a system like a camera with interchangeable lenses: you can keep it basic or upgrade over time. Motor, platter, arm mount, arm tube,cabling, even the plinth. That kind of investment protection is something no other table can claim.

Look, for $2,000, any table you look at is going to be pretty damn good. But they are all mostly dead ends except the VPI. 

And as others have suggested, throw a Blue Stylus on your Ortofon, and listen to what it is capable of - which is quite a bit, actually - while your bank account recharges, then step into MC cartridge land. In my nearly 50 years in the hobby, there have never been so many excellent MCs available, and so reasonably priced - under $1,000, even under $500.

Ortofon, Audio Technica, Dynavector, and Sumiko aren't exactly slouches in this area, but the buzz is all over Hana, and they are available in low and high output versions (as are some Sumiko and Dynavector), making the MC preamp and another set of interconnects 'barrier to entry' optional. If you are listening to mostly vintage vinyl, the EH (elliptical) is the easiest to setup and live with.  If you are more into the Music Direct re-release catalog, then consider the $750 SH (Shibata) or $1200 MH (Microline). 

melm4

For analog reproduction the turntable is the most important purchase.

Is it? If you seek the best analog playback, many suggest you can only to that with tape.

Upgraditis - I like it - never heard that before....very appropriate for this entire site. When your system is evenly matched and sounds great, enjoy it and spend your money on well pressed/mastered records.

Music Direct and Acoustic Sounds are the best I've used. Any other suggestions????

I view the analogue rig the most important, and spent roughly 52% of my out of pocket net on that (table-arm(new)/cartridge (used)/phonostage (used)), 18% on speakers (closeout), 17% on integrated amp (used) and 14% on cables(new)/power conditioner (used). If you lose the quality in the source, it can only go downhill from there.   

When it comes to new retail value, the numbers are quite different: analogue rig -43%, speakers - 19%, amp - 24%, cables/conditioner - 13%. I know I am OCD/anal.