What turntable in the $2500 range?

I prefer DD

I had the Audio Technica AT120 for years in between my Thorens TD-124 and my current JVC setup. 

I recommend it as a budget start TT, get a better cartridge; prove you will stick with Vinyl, and the next logical step up is a Technics that fits the budget.

OP might get lucky with a used SL-1300G from a member here, I found the SL-1500.

In any case, I never liked the look of them, and occasionally post info about wood surrounds that I would add IF I chose one.

This one is solid Walnut, costs $790., a good bit more than others, what I noticed is the list of Models it fits. Of course that would need to be confirmed if buying from a different maker, but here’s the link and list of models they say it fits

We’ve confirmed these custom plinths will fit these models:
SL-1300G
SL-1200G
SL-1210G
SL-1200GR
SL-1210GR
SL-1200GR2
SL-1210GR2
SL-1500C

Dimensions:

19.5 wide x15.5 deep

Skyfiaudio Wood Frame for Technics TTs

A variety come up on Etsy

I started a discussion here 2 years ago

@joby15200  If you're willing to consider used, an '80s SOTA Star Sapphire with an Eminent Technology ET-2 tonearm might be in your price range, if you can find this combo.  The ET-2 has a removeable arm.  However, it is finicky to set the tracking force if you expect to switch cartridges often.  I wouldn't recommend that arm for someone who frequently switches cartridges.  There might be other arms that would be better for that situation.

The SOTA  has a vacuum hold-down platter that will flatten minor LP warps.  I've had mine for about 35 years, and it's had no problems.  Was a Class A turntable in the Stereophile Recommended Components.  I seriously doubt that any new TT in your price range could compete with a SOTA Star.

Recommending 35+ year old turntables and tonearms is very irresponsible and not practical.

FWIW:  around 3 or 4 years ago when I was in the market to replace my old stalwart Phillips 212, after many, many months of research and reading, I narrowed my crunch list down to the Rega P6 with either an Ortofon 2m Bronze or 2m Black, the Marantz TT-15S1 with its standard Clearaudio cart (the Marantz is built by Clearaudio anyway) and the Mofi Ultradeck+M.  I ultimately pulled the trigger for the Mofi deck and have been extremely pleased ever since.  Several reviewers said the Mofi deck was the best you could get for under 5K.

In my experience based only on subjective evaluation (no measurements), if your cartridge puts out 1mV or more, and IF the headshell is a good fit for the tonearm, then you will hear no significant difference between a tonearm with a fixed headshell and one with a removable headshell.  Downstream, even from a removable headshell, you can still effect a straight shot to the phono stage with only the headshell contacts in the signal path. But the qualifications inherent in this generalization are many.  (1) Some tonearms are just better than other tonearms, so they will sound better regardless of the headshell, and (2) not all aftermarket headshells are a perfect fit for all tonearms.  You really need to be sure that the fit is correct.  This means when possible use a headshell that was made by the same company that made the tonearm or use top of the line headshells by Ortofon, Yamamoto, Oyaide, etc. Contrary to some of what has been said here, I find that there is an advantage to having a removable headshell in that one is free to select the headshell that sounds best with a particular cartridge. Headshells make as much of a sonic difference as a TT mat, IMO.

And as far as a used TT goes, if Technics is chosen, then I would advise aiming for any of the G series models.  If it is not a G series, then it is either old or one of the lesser TTs in the current lineup.