Best TT under $1k

Thanks so much for all of your replies. I'm leaning toward @helomech's suggestion of the Pioneer PLX-1000 with the Audio-Technica VM540ML cartridge.

I know it's not the most important consideration (perhaps not a consideration at all for some folks), but I love the old school look of the mk1200 and the plx-1000 is its successor.

I want to make an immediate purchase and most of the VPI HW-19's available right now seem to have missing parts or need work. There also seems to be a preference for buying vintage. While I love the idea - given my current knowledge of TT's - it doesn't seem practical.

Have you read this review on the Pioneer?

https://www.stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-4-page-2

I usually don't care for his reviews but that one is accurate IME, having myself compared a 1200MkII with a PLX. I personally think the latter feels more substantial in overall build. One big advantage of the PLX is detachable phono cables. Some owners have reported loose tonearm bearings on their PLX, but that's a fairly easy adjustment with some patience. If you go the route of having the dealer install your cartridge, just request they give the whole tonearm assembly a thorough inspection prior to shipment.

Good news is the KAB Acoustics tonearm damper also fits the PLX tonearm - that, aftermarket headshells, phono cables, and Isonoe feet give you a path for future upgrades:

https://www.kabusa.com/td1200.htm

https://www.turntablelab.com/products/isonoe-isolation-system-turntable-feet-4-units

The only thing I dislike about Rega is the stock arm.  No VTA adjustment.  If you end up wanting to experiment with different cartridges later on (which you will) it's a pain to get them to sing without VTA adjustment.

Normally when I install a new cartridge it will take about 2 or 3 weeks to fine tune the VTA and make it sound its best.

I too vote for the Pioneer PLX-1000 with some mods. Which is what I did and now I'm cartridge rolling.  Currently using ML440b and looking to get AT150MLX. Very good TT for the money and it's kinda cool to look at the old look and the eye candy lights.....
Change the footers, Funkfirm mat, record clamp or weight, KAB tonearm mod (later down the road).

@elubow - My opinion.

Once burned, shame on you. Twice burned, shame on me. Three times burned without any success is a significant enough sampling for me.  rega?  Never again..

I've had three VPI tables and two AR tables that all worked and sounded great right out of the box.  Nothing to send back.  All five outperformed the rega tables significantly.  I'm not about to start going through a large sampling of rega tables just to find one that sounds as good as an AR.  I'll take my chances on real turntables and enjoy the music without figuring out shipping options to return yet another poor-performing rega table.

And my comments and opinions have been significantly softened for this thread.  But that's just me.

If your experience has been wonderful, then good for you.  

“Once burned, shame on you. Twice burned, shame on me.” 
At least you did better than George Bush!

No one expects you to sample every table Rega makes. But to make such derogatory comments like “ I’ll take my chances on REAL (my caps) tables” when your experience has been somewhat limited, seems to me excessive and unfair. Many vinyl enthusiasts try different tables, some to their liking, some not. But I’ve rarely seen someone denigrate a whole company and its products with the fervor that you have. 

Thanks anyway for “softening” your opinions though I think comments like the above do not exactly qualify!