Newbie turntable Upgrade

@elliottbnewcombjr south of Vegas, and although the advantages of Technics are many, swappable Headshell as mentioned above, I have a love/hate relationship with its looks. So your suggestion about the plinth surround is worthy of some thought. Thank you. I'm still more enamored by a low profile look such as the ones presented by the Rega rp3 and up  but that would curtail the swappable headshells, of which I own three. So, I'm stuck. I saw a Thorens DD on the used market yesterday that had a requisite arm. But balked when I considered the shipping danger. 

I believe Rega Planer 8 is double posters budget

ericrhodes1 OP

Vlad, the Russian in Canada, with the Victor TT101 DD and Micro Seiki 505 arm

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650114903-victor-tt-101-top-model-turntable-with-micro-seiki-tonearm-in-excellent-condition/

truly knows how to pack and ship, I remain impressed years later, part of why I unhesitatingly recommend him.

That Micro Seiki arm, the headshell fitting is azimuth adjustable, the arm height is hand release/pivot up or down/hand tighten, it's tungsten wire for VTA and Anti-skate so precisely and easily adjusted, 

his list of ads on Canuck Audio Mart, he's been doing this a long time.

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/userads.php?user_id=10089

Luxman, future second arm, not sure if vacuum unit is included or add one if you want, works without it of course

https://ckaudio.sg/products/luxman-pd555-turntable-with-jelco-tonearm

The Technics GR is a solid choice in your price range (I have one). The ability to easily swap carts is important to me. I have no use for the DJ features (I think they have a model that is similar but without that stuff, I bought mine before the newer models came out). I doubt you will find anything better under $2k unless you are willing to buy used (an option for those that live in big cities, fraught with peril for those that don't).

If you have little interest in easily swapping carts, the Rega P3 could be had for a bit less and is delightful in its own way. Best paired with Rega carts.