Rega RP8 and alternatives in $3000-4000 range

+ 1 on Mr_m's advice. Or the Amadeus GTA would keep you under 4K. My GTA was less than 4K. The EAT certainly looks sharp.... Would like to hear it.

VPI Prime. Buy it and don't look back. Second choice is a VPI Classic.

IMO, I haven't heard any serious tables in the same price ranges as the various Rega tables that doesn't better the Regas. Just my opinion. YMMV.

I compared my old Rega P3 to the Amadeus MKII at my dealer's and I thought the Amadeus sounded much better (it should considering prices). Same cart, system, etc.
But there was also a Rega RP10 and I listened to that in the same system. Different cart on the RP10 but much more expensive than my cart, and I still thought the Amadeus sounded better.

I'd look at Amadeus and VPI Prime in that price range for sure. The Prime looks like a very nice table, and it's more user friendly than the Amadeus. Costs a little more, though.

Thanks, the Well Tempered GTA looks amazing. There are just a few issues for me so I understand what people mean when they say it’s not a turntable for everyone. The vpi signature looks like the perfect turntable but it’s beyond my budget at the moment

The VPI Prime is right in your budget.  I have not compared it to the Classig Sig, but a lot of people really like it.