Need help: turntable market in the $1500-$2000 range is overwhelming


I’m looking for a new turntable. Had a Dual 1229 years ago but it broke and I got out of vinyl and all that. Got a crappy Audio-Technica around the holidays last year because I thought I’d digitize my records but I don’t feel like doing that anymore and it’s a fiddly turntable that doesn’t sound great. I’m giving myself $1500-$2000 to jump in with the expectation of buying something that’ll keep me happy for a few years.

Sorry, but no Technics tables please!!!! Black or silver. They all look like my crappy Audio-Technica and I’m going to be shallow and say looks matter and that I’m agnostic at best about direct drive. Yeah, I’m dumb.

So in the price range I’ve established I’ve looked at and found interesting offerings from:

—SOTA
—Rega
—Pro-Ject
—Music Hall
—Clearaudio
—Marantz

And what feels like a zillion others.

So how the hell do I choose in a market flooded with tables in my price range? 

Oh, and sure, tell me how stupid I am for not wanting a Technics like I keep seeing recommended on the forum, but I’m not going to buy one so please help me with another offering if you can!!!

And I’d prefer to buy new so I can work with a dealer or manufacturer if there are any issues.....
larshepping
Paypal protect everyone from shipping damage or any defects (full refund always guaranteed and buyer is always protected, not seller), but professional sellers pack well and do not sell junk. Tonearm must be purchased separately. I shipped Victor TT-101 from Russia to USA and our member JP Jones received it with no damage in transit.

If you want to limit yourself to turntables available at your local shop (local pickup) then you may never find even a good belt drive.

Most people comments sounds like “I have this BD, never tried anything else, so it must be good for you too”. 

AT copied only basic design elements of Technics, but AT is nowhere near the SL1200 GR engineering. The GR is heavy metal unit, almost bulletproof with Magnesium tonearm and there is a reason why this is number one recommendation (at $1700 retail price). I think you judge by images from the internet, but you’d better try it in real life at your nearest dealer.
"A while back I owned a mid-level Music Hall (7.1?) and a lead clip broke off."
Pretty easy fix...all you need is a steady hand, a soldering iron and solder. I would never think to contact ANY turntable manufacturer in regards to a broken lead clip....it could happen to any turntable! Why put a black eye on Music Hall? 
OP, The choice is easy....buy the Music Hall MMF-7.3. It’s available in both walnut and gloss black, I’d choose the walnut as it will not show fingerprints and dust. It comes with electronic speed control, a dual plinth, a detached motor, a carbon fiber pro-ject arm, and a terrific Ortofon 2m bronze cartridge. Show me another table for $1595 (black), $1795 (walnut) that offers all this....
     Alternatively, I would suggest you take a look at the Pro-Ject The Classic Evo.