Turntable/arm short list suggestions, please.

4yanx,
I recommend the SOTA Star or Star-Sapphire with vacuum and an Audioquest PT-6 or newer tonearm. The suspension system in the SOTA is second to none. They are upgrade-able. Sota is selling upgrades as well as refurb units and there are plenty of used ones available.
You could also consider the SME tonearms. I agree with Marakanetz on the Black Cube...don't cut corners on the phono stage. You should plan to invest a similar amount ($1400-$1700) on the phono stage. The Krell KPE ($1600 new) is your best choice if like to rock. It has bass and slam that are just unbelievable.
Best regards,
audiopath

Like the above poster, I would recommend a used Linn LP-12 w/Akito arm at that price point. Make sure you also have the Cirkus upgrade. You could probably also get the TT w/Lingo outboard motor instead of the Valhalla for your listed max price. The Lingo is a substantial improvement on the Valhalla; I found the Ekos tonearm not as noticeable an improvement on the Akito. My dealer disagrees strongly but I have to differ. The Akito is a fine arm and I don't even have the Akito II.

I would also look at the recently released VPI scout/JMW 9 which goes for $1500 new for both turntable and arm. It appears to offer an awful lot for the money plus a defined upgrade path should you desire that in the future.

I agree with the above. Yes the VPI Scout should be interesting. The Linn could be a good value.......and you probably could get an Aries used for a good deal.
I have never used a Basis...however I know a few people who have and they rave about them...another good one.
Happy listening!!

I don't mean any offense to the Linnies out there but I think the design of the Linn is very out dated and the sound especially in the bass region is bloated. I think all tables with spring suspension systems in them tend to sound very lush. I myself use a Michell Gyrodec which I think has many of the strengths of the Linn with better bass but is also a spring suspended table. From what I have heard and read, VPI tables are great and require little fuss with set up. I think the Linn requires more expertise to get it to sound right. My table the Gyrodec is also a pain in the neck to set up right. I have heard fantastic things about the nottingham tables and if I were buying right now I would probably buy one of those. I also think the basis tables sound good and are easy to set up. I've had a Rega Planar 2 but not their higher end tables. It sounded good but shallow in the bass and used to hum with Grado cartridges. Lastly I would consider two factors in purchasing a table, 1)fuss with set up and 2)if it's used the fussier it is to set up the more difficult it will be to ship. Unless the person you are buying from has experience packing turntables the table may not arrive in good condition.