Best Analog for $10K

Chakster and I are in near complete agreement (see my post of  few days ago).  You need to know something about what YOU like or want out of a vinyl system.  For that, you might want to travel a bit and listen to as many different systems and combinations as possible, preferably systems that are otherwise similar to yours in type of speaker and choice of amplification.  (The systems you audition need not include the exact same amplifiers and speakers as yours, just equipment that is similar in type.) Keep a list of what you like and don't like.

Consider a second hand set up.

Audiophiles are often constant upgraders and you might be able to buy a turntable with cartridge for half price that someone set up properly and was happy with until upgraditis struck them, when they want to sell the existing rig to try something else

That way you might get a $20K rig for your $10K investment.

  I'm refering with analog to LPs, I'm not talking of analog tapes.

the LP has wider bandwidth, lower noise and lower distortion than tape. So this statement seems a bit conflicted.
@imgoodwithtools My recommendation is also the Technics SL1200G. This machine has the high end turntable industry shaking in its boots on account of Technics knows what they are doing and for a small manufacturer to do as well it would cost a bit more. The weak points of this machine are the platter pad and the arm (which is actually quite competent as tone arms go; but the 'table is nearly state of the art). This is going to gooble about 4K out of your budget. The Hana SH is a very nice and not crazy money moving coil cartridge that has spectacular reviews and would be a nice combo.

One thing to understand about analog: the ability of the arm to track the cartridge properly (which often has a lot to do with proper setup) is far more important than what cartridge you ultimately get. For this reason a less expensive cartridge can sound as good as a really expensive one if your setup is done correctly.

I recommend looking into a good tube phono section. Tip: a phono section has to be stable- if not it contributes significantly to ticks and pops.

Dear @atmasphere  : I posted that way because the playback process in R2R does not develops so many distortions as the LP playback whole process and because in the tape was not recorded the RIAA eq. curve and low registers comes in stereo.

Anyway, digital beats analog like it or not.

R.

+1 atmasphere
Technics SL1200G  for DD  and will compete with BD and will probably last you forever
+1Agribba
Allnic H-1202 or Herron VTPH-2A (~$3500) - I am looking  for either one of these now as  I use a Lehman Black Cube se2 and ready to move up. 
Acoustic Signature Turntables -for belt =  German engineering and easy to set up. Their tone arm is easy to set.  Set it and forget it. 
To me it doesn't  matter how many albums you have if what you do have you listen to. 
Enjoy the journey , I too crossed back over the tracks and spend at least 50% of my time on vinyl and enjoy it more.