Best sounding turntable and cartridge for $1100

If I were in your predicament, I'd try to stretch the budget a bit and try the Marantz TT-15S1. They come with a pre mounted Clear Audio Virtuoso cartridge.

I think the turntable is actually made by Clear Audio and rebadged as Marantz.

I think it's probably a good deal at $1500 total.

Music Direct sells them and has no hassle returns.
www.musicdirect.com/store/marantz-tt-15-acrylic-turntable

At one time they were selling factory refurbished models for around $1200.

I did a lot of research in this price range before I decided to double my budget and the Marantz was at the top of my demo list.

Out of curiosity I just checked the MD site and they still have the refurbished Marantz's for $1195. 

@sunnyjim How about a KAB-modded Technics SL1200?  If you want new, you can pay a couple hundred premium to get NOS on eBay or just find a minty used one of the 6MM or so sold. Add a KAB fluid damper and have the arm rewired, swap out for some better feet or cones and you are well in your budget with a rock solid table that IMHO punches well above anything discussed in this thread so far. You will also be on a path to easily allow future easy upgrades if they tickle your fancy. 
I've heard these tables in SOTA systems where they replaced tables at 10x the price. 
For info check out KAB's site or the "Techipedia" section of the British forum theartofsound. Cheers,
Spencer

+1 for the SL 1200!   I just caved and bought a bone stock one and am very impressed. 

To Helomech, Thank you for the recommendation. I did consider the Marantz 15S1 TT . I believe the refurbished model was $995.00  on "Black Friday"   

However, the Clearaudio Virtuoso cartridge retails for $900. I can only guess what the replacement stylus on retipping  would cost.... between $400-$500.  

I am not sure what the marketing strategy was putting such an expensive spike on this table. The Clearaudio Performer V2 MM at  $400 dollars, or even the Artist V2 MM at $600 would or should  kick the price down on a new 15S1.    For example,$1200 with the Artist MM, and 1000.00 with the Performer MM: and  a "refurbished" 15S1 TT with the latter cartridge might have sold for say $800-850

 But who knows what marketing strategies and juggling cartridges were the focus of these manufacturers.  Maybe, Marantz got a price break on the Clearaudio Virtuoso V2 MM  to make the table more appealing to customers. Just some hardcore arithmetic based on retail pricing might  reveal their thoughts. That is,..........

$1500 (TT) minus $900 === $600 as the basic retail value of the TT.  

I realize this is probably not how the actual selling price is arrived at, because of the other parameters in bi-marketing a product by two separate manufacturers, but it might come close
It is a shame that Marantz did not offer the table without cartridge, so the buyers could chose how much they want to spend for a spike  

Thanks to all,  SJ