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!