TurnTable Quest

Check out Dave's fully restored Thorens models at Vinyl Nirvana. These tables will walk all over many similarly priced new tables.

The cartridge also makes a huge difference. 

I started this hobby on the budget end, which only ends up costing more in the long run. 

IMO, the $1500 range is where one can begin to find reference quality sound. At least 1k for the table and 500 for a nice cartridge. You'll get a lot of recommendations here for VPIs, but my experience has been that they're a bit overrated. 

Helomech wrote

" Check out Dave's fully restored Thorens models at Vinyl Nirvana. These tables will walk all over many similarly priced new tables.

IMO, the $1500 range is where one can begin to find reference quality sound. At least 1k for the table and 500 for a nice cartridge. You'll get a lot of recommendations here for VPIs, but my experience has been that they're a bit overrated."

My friend who built my AR turntable is very good friends with Dave @ Vinyl Nirvana. In fact he does work for Dave. He is well known and respected for his work on AR turntables. His turntables are so well built that you would be hard pressed to find a turntable that cost more that  would outperform his turntables.

I have not heard a restored AR, but I'm sure they're very good.

I would say for now, since my listening room if far from reference, im gonna hunt around for a Garrard, since that route may require scrounging around flea markets......i understand i may not find one soon, but if i begin, i have a better chance and the time to do a nice rebuild.
My new room needed speaker driver repairs, amp mods, fabricated rolling acoustic barndoors, acoustic treatments, its own electrical service,  so.... Another rebuild would fall right inline.

I would have never gone in this direction if it werent for your quick replys and confident viewpoints !!!! I will post as soon as something happens, TY Very Much

You can do the GEM Dandy Polytable for anywhere from $1495 to around $2K depending on which tonearm you choose. It's Stereophile-rated as a Class B turntable; most Class Bs are at least triple the price of the GEM Dandy. 

It was also an Absolute Sound product of the year. Review here. Several other reviews out there if you Google for 'em.