Is a GREAT turntable under $2000 possible???

Their are alot of great turntables out there.  They are not excellent or fantastic but great.  
I noticed Sonos is providing a turntable made by Pro-ject for their wireless systems. 
I use Sonos for ambient music around my house.  They provide an excellent product - their speaker designs are very good.  Everything I come across is positive about the Pro-ject line of turntable (cost effective).  Good luck and spend some time to find what you need.

jhv

I just got the Technics SL1210GR with a mofi MasterTracker....about $2300....absolutely love it.

I think you could do that for $2000. I would probably buy a used turntable and a new cartridge.  I would consider a secondhand entry-level clearaudio table and arm with a  dynavector MC cartridge, something like the 10X5 perhaps. I have a JA Michell Tecnodec Which is pretty nice and in that price range. You can get one with an arm for $2000 new. Find a good one used, and you have freed up enough budget for a new cartridge.

Budget version of PD-444 is the PD-441 by Luxman, which you can find for 2k with nice tonearm and cartridge. It’s direct drive turntabel in aluminum plinth (heavy). This little PD-441 is eye candy, classic 70s style, the motor made by legendary Micro Seiki, so the quality is top notch. If you can find it without tonearm it can be under 1k, then you can add tonearm. My PD-444 is much bigger and i prefer it to the Technics SP-10mkII. Tonearms on my PD-444 are under $750 each (Victor UA-7045 and Luxman TA-1 with removable armwand). Great combination for MM cartridges. I've been using Grace F14 and Stanton CS-100 WOS on those arms as you can see on the picture. I’m sure the PD-441 with some classic tonearm is a great start, actually it will be a great analog rig. Good luck!

Clearaudio Concept Wood w Concept MC cart.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CLEARAUDIO-CONCEPT-TURNTABLE-MC-WOOD-NEW-FACTORY-SEALED-WARRANTY-SPECIAL-SA...

Well worth it!!!