TT suggestion in the $7 - 10K range?

A couple of "thinking outside the box suggestions a good deal under your price range: Well Tempered Amadeus & Townshend Rock.

Buy the used Sota Cosmos MK IV here on audiogn it is the best sounding table I have heard under 30K. Get the right arm and cartridge and you will be in vinyl heaven. I have owned many turntables and the Sota Cosmos MK IV is one of the best turntables I have owned.

2nd the recommendation for the Well Tempered Amadeus for a table below your price range. In your price range, I recommend the Dynavector DV500 Amadeus, or even better, the Ayre-DPS.

Personally, I would stick to a table with strong customer support. Truthfully, I have never heard the Ayre table, but I know the company and have only the highest praise for their products and their support. That is true as well for VPI. There are many more VPI's/models to be had, but you should see them and do your own evalutaions.

I will second the recommendation on the Sota Cosmos IV. I run mine with a SME 309 arm and Lyra Delos cartridge and it provides the best overall sound I have heard in my system. In the price range you are looking at, I think it is unbeatable.