Need guidance on best turntable in the 3K-3.5K range

@glennewdick  +1 I also have an Acoustic Solid turntable ( Solid 111 Metall with the optional metal stand) I currently have 2 tonearms mounted, but a 3rd tonearm is possible.I have had this TT for 6 years and it functions perfectly. the 2 tonearms are both Jelco TK850 one is the 10 inch and one is the 12inch.Acoustic Solid 111 Metal - Tri-Cell Enterprises

@yesiam_a_pirate Here's another two cents from the peanut gallery.

I've only owned 2 turntables over the past 53 years.  So, as you can readily surmise, I cannot claim a great deal of direct personal experience with regard to TTs.  I do not "upgrade" my components nearly as often as some audiophiles.  My approach has always been to research like crazy before an "upgrade" or major purchase, audition the components I'm interested in and purchase the best performing & most reliable component I can find within whatever budget I set for myself.  Frankly, I always go over budget.  The last time I shopped for a TT was several years ago.  My projected budget back then was around 2K but I eventually almost doubled that.  More than a few reviews said the Mofi Ultradeck+M was about as good as it got for under 5K.  None of the shops around my neck of the woods had Mofi decks back then.  So, I wasn't able to audition one.  The only two TTs that I had read about and was able to fairly audition were a Rega P3 with Ortofon 2M Blue and a Marantz TT-15si with standard ClearAudio Virtuoso Ebony MM.  With good, clean vinyl recordings, both these TTs were outstanding.

After months of research and some back & forth with Mikey Fremer, I whittled my final punch list down to:  Rega P6 (with Ortofon 2M Bronze or Black) + Marantz TT-15s1 (with ClearAudio Virtuoso Ebony MM) + Mofi Ultradeck+M + ClearAudio Concept (with Virtuoso Ebony MM).  I went with the Mofi deck.  This was the only time I've ever purchased a major component without auditioning it in a shop, first.  I have not regretted this purchase.  It is everything the reviewers said it was and continue to say it is.

A word of caution about Rega decks.  Rega is a proponent of low mass design TTs.  Make sure you have an absolutely rock-solid surface to park any TT on, especially a Rega and especially if you like to play your music loudly on occasion.

Also, as whart has alluded to here, there will be other accessories to plan and budget for (e.g.  stylus cleaning stuff; record brush or other dust mitigating equipment; anti-static record sleeves; stylus pressure gauge & possibly other calibration equipment; etc.).  Most importantly, I would suggest planning on some sort of record cleaning equipment.  Even new vinyl should be cleaned before play.  You can do this manually, easily and inexpensively with a Knosti Disco Anti-Stat, a Spin Clean or something like these.  I like the Knost because it uses goat hair brushes.  Last I read, the Spin Clean used microfiber pads.  I think they may have replaced those, since then, with goat hair brushes, which provide deeper cleaning.  If you want to and can spend the bucks, think ultrasonic cleaning (e.g.  Degritter Mark II).

Good Luck!

Denon DP3000N  

These are beautiful + Good quality with detachable headshell  

$2800 so you have some money to get a nice cart  

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-f8ZjyHc5AKh/p_033DP3000N/Denon-DP-3000NE.html?XVINQ=GLX&XVVer=1HJB&awcr=674034942935&awdv=m&awnw=g&awug=9060351&awkw=pla-2200527483050&awmt=&awat=pla&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18596593409&gclid=CjwKCAjwx-zHBhBhEiwA7Kjq63Ey2byemlPBxTuHtGOYRfxAxkdNDWtJK9GLCLLEa7RWb75Pi6HZqhoCmUsQAvD_BwE

While there are a lot of good turntables in that budget range. My feeling is that you get a big step up in the $5K range. This puts you into range of tables like the Linn LP12 Majik. Particularly great because if you get the bug you can incrementally upgrade components like the sub-chassis, tone arm, etc. I got a mid-range one... then upgraded it to the Klimax level. Outstanding table.  

There are many others in this range from VPI, Clear Audio... etc. 

I'm going to assume that you don't have a phooo preamp?  That is important.  I am NOT claiming to be an expert by any means, but I've owned many turntables, arms, phono preamps, and cartridges throughout my 40 years of being an audiophile.  Currently, I am running a VPI Classic 2 with the ceramic-coated platter.  On an H. Weisfeld tip, I'm using a Stand Alone Motor that's 300 RPM, I updated the arm to the 3D Gimbal Signature 10.5, and I use a Hana ML cartridge. My phono preamp is an Esoteric Audio E-03.  My tonearm cable is a Cardas Golden Presence, and lastly, a VPI SDS motor control.  All told, if I bought all of this new, we'd be right around $18K.  I did NOT buy it all new, so I'm in less than half of that.  That is the value of buying used.  The problem is, you never know if the guy you're buying it from knows how to pack a table!

A short while ago, I was figuring out how money should be distributed in a vinyl playback system if you're dealing with retail prices.  Things are so competitive anymore that in terms of "different" at a given price point, there will be some variety!  Regarding best/worst/etc... at a given price point, the differences won't be earth-shattering from the bigger players.  They can't afford to be!

The distribution ratio that seems pretty close in my mind is 50% allocated to the table and arm, 35% to the phono preamp, and 15% to the cartridge.  These are approximate guidelines in my mind.  I've seen far too many people blow the wad on the deck and have practically nothing left for a phono pre and cartridge.  For some reason, it seems like the enthusiasm for investing in a really good phono preamp isn't there much of the time, which is really too bad, because this makes a huge difference!   My approximate ratio places you at $1750 for a turntable/tonearm, $1225 for a phono preamp, and $525 for a cartridge.  For this total expenditure, you can assemble a musical analog system.  About the turntable brands?

Rega has a clean, lean, fast, and detailed sound.  Clearaudio is fuller-sounding than a Rega, yet detailed.  VPI is a very neutral deck with great dynamics, but it can be a bit forward (like a Rega or Clearaudio but less so), and for those seeking a big and romantic sound, it may not be "the one".  A killer buy right now is the Mobile Fidelity Ultradeck.  I had one in my system, and for the price they're asking right now, BIG value.  They're a bit on the warm side of neutral, but not as much as ProJect.  They come with a pretty decent MM cartridge, too.  If you want really warm, ProJect.  Their tables seem to be very full-bodied in sound while extracting acceptable detail.  

If you save some money by getting an Ultradeck, that will allow for a good vacuum system to clean your vinyl, which is essential.  I encourage you to read reviews concerning the various "flavors" of phono pres available.  You've got enough money left that you're in that $1000 or so range.  There's some nice stuff there.  If you play your cards right, you'll have enough money for a bunch of records!

Good luck!