Turntable recommendation

Used tables in that range include
Oracle Delphi V
Townshend Rock 3
VPI Scout and Classic
Basis 2001
Sota Star Vacuum
Kuama Stabi
Avid
Any of those will provide you with superior sound. You could also get on the idler drive bandwagon and pick up an Garrard 301 or 401, Lenco L75 or 78, thorens 124. Lots of people like those and they are not your usual fare.

I like the recommendation of the Basis 2100. I will check it out along with the Classic. Has anyone here had experience with the Pro-ject RM10.1? A dealer in my area has one...

Try to find the: Simon Yorke's "Zarathustra S4" or the "Denon DP80" and you will never look for an upgrade. Do not overpay for an arm. It is the most fetish material in this hobby and in my case I've routinely substituting for the better till I've met my holly grail (Pluto 9A Prestige). The e-bay findings for SAEC WE-308SX are not for the inexperienced user and prepare your shelf for headshell and wiring modifications and customised protractors if you lust about them. The DLS-1 is a no-no with your budget. It is very demanding on the matching Phonostage do not think about it. Worth finding at the used market is the Kuzma Stogi Ref. & the Dynavector Karat DV 17 D2mkII. Both are builded to last forever. I've had many used arms & carts and allways was a big risk that usually ends in tears. (especially tonearms!). My advice is to take the best machine you can afford and smoothly upgrade for an arm/cart combination as you will growing your appetite into vinyl.

agree on the clearaudio for $2k with cartridge (new, easy to setup, sounds great). you can get it with the cartridge installed.

+1 on the Amadeus or Simplex recommendation.

I also heartily endorse the Rock 7 which someone else mentioned, but that is $3200 without the arm, so a bit outside of your budget. I have only seen one Rock 7 for sale used, and I bought it (and it replaced the excellent Amadeus).