Every day I see another turntable recommendation...

My current analog system is modest by comparison to many on this site. What has been humbling and enlightening is that although I've doubled the spend and the sound quality has indeed improved, it's still hasn't eclipsed what I was hearing in my old room (in my last home). 

Could it be that the OP's analog reference was experienced in a better room? 

Although my 10" Tannoy Turnberrys make better bass and overall tonality than my old Salk Songtowers did in my current room. They were not as good as the same Songtowers in my old room. The bass was deeper and the tonality was better. 

I was using cheaper elliptical MM carts on my Technics 1200G back then and felt like I was getting more detail than my AT33PTGII now.

The benefits of a good room are all over the spectrum. Better imaging, clarity, resolution...yadda...yadda yadda...

Better equipment helps but we listen to it 'through' a room. A room that will muddy or smear or boost or even filter out frequencies. 

Which dealer do you trust? Sometimes you can get a great deal on a demo or trade in. I would hesitate to buy a used turntable/arm, but if a dealer stands behind it, that may be an option if you want separate arm and table manufacturers. I prefer to keep it simple, and Rega makes incredible arms for the money. I'm not a fan of their cartridges and a dealer can set it up with an excellent cartridge. Some dealers are very analogue centric and can guide you better than others. A Rega P8 lists for $3500 now, you can probably get it for about $3K, cartridge $1500-$2000, and a phono stage for about $1500-$2500. Close to $5K all in. The P10 is better, but the extra close to $3K cost/value proposition is debatable. It's almost double the price. Plan on putting the Regas on a wall shelf with some isolation base as well and they will really shine. There's reason Michells, SOTAs and others match their tables with Rega arms. Value. If you want to go over $10K all in and become more of a turntable hobbyist, then by all means, have at it. Although I would probably just go for a simple solution like an SME.

Hey, I’m happy to have a MMF-9.3. But I admire those who can afford more expensive turntables. Good luck with your search!

Oh, btw I purchased my 9.3 without a cartridge from Hi Fi Heaven, brand new in the box just 4 months back for $1799 delivered. Not a bad starter table for that price. The tonearm is a true gem. 

From 1971 to now go Technics  DD turntables.....keep the rubber belts to  use on your trash bags.end of Story

For $5K you should be able to find a very good used table and arm, and possibly cartridge.

Look for something along the lines of a VPI TNT with good arm, or a Sota, for instance.