What turntable in the $2500 range?


I am so confused and I hope I can get some clarity and good advice in picking my next turntable.
At this time I can afford (wife decided budget...) to spend up to $2.5K.
I am using a Parasound ZC ZPhonoXRM (MM/MC) phono preamp, Parasound A51 biamping B&W 802 Nautilus. 
On the new market I am lookng at Rega 6 (Ania MC), MoFi Ultradeck (MC?), Music Hall mmf 7.3
I am listening to almost evrything but I want to start focusing on Jazz, Blues, Irish music, Southern rock (Lynyrd Skynrd, Creedance Clearwater Revival) and some classical as well.
My focus is on soundstage, vocals and details with a warm sound.
Please let me know your thoughts on my choices and feel free to suggest anything else you think it could work, even if it is used.
One more question: why all the above turntable do not allow removable shells? I would like to experiment and try different cartridges like I was doing when I was a teenager...
Thank you for reading the post.
 

joby15200

@joby15200 I recommend you contact @rpeluso and inquire about his friend's 1300C.  That could be just the ticket for you.  That is a terrific TT.

I’ve used a Sumiko Blue Point Evo 3 and a Soundsmith Carmen 2. With the Carmen I had to add a weight to the top of the head shell available for about $5 on EBay.  The Sumiko was excellent maybe more top end but overall the Soundsmith was smoother top to bottom but then again it’s almost double the price. Both cartridges bought here gently used.

I have a Sota Escape.  It's a simple looking table with a phenolic resin plinth.  I got mine with a Origin Live Silver arm and the 1.5 " platter upgrade as an open box for $1799.   I put an Ortofon 2M Bronze on it and it sounds phenomenal 

It has a sapphire bearing and the excellent Condor Motor drive system.  

Great table for the money.   Life got busy when I purchased it in '22 so the ortofon cart had really low hours.  

I spent some time this weekend setting it up again from scratch With new set up tools.  Got the VTA and tracking force spot on and what I heard the last few nights blew me away.  This table and arm is definitely worthy of a better cart , once this 2M has had it's useful life I am getting a nice MC cart.  

Definitely worth checking this table out. 

 

A comment about VPI arms that I'm surprised no one has mentioned. They don't have removeable head shells but the arm itself is easily removeable.