If I were to replace my VPI Airies1 with a 4k or so budget?

You can use a variac instead of an SDS or other controller.  Start the platter with full voltage, then dial back to 65% of "wall voltage" after the platter gets up to speed.  Does the same thing as an SDS at less than $100.  
  

@bpoletti , a variac only does 50% of the job of a VPI SDS.  A SDS drops the motor voltage after start up plus you can adjust the line frequency which alters the rotational speed of an AC synchronous motor thus allowing the end user to dial-in platter speed.

The variac adjusts the voltage.  There is no need to adjust the frequency.unless there is a problem with the pulley size.  A VPI pulley is stepped to adjust between 33 /13 and 45 RPM.  The 60hz line frequency does not vary.  That's a myth.

 By now, I thought you guys would know that the SOTA  eclipse motor controller system is a highly sophisticated device based on the now discontinued phoenix engineering products. As such it is miles ahead of a VPI SDS and light years ahead of using a variac. But I know this won’t dissuade you. Anyone who is interested ought to do some reading on the subject. My point was that the outboard fly wheel is of some value, however minimal, to regulate speed, and the SOTA eclipse system is at the other end of the spectrum, the best you can get right now in an aftermarket product. I say this as the owner of the original Phoenix engineering system, which has transformed every turntable I have applied it to. I would not dream of having a belt drive turntable without a device of this type, and right now this is the only device of it’s type.

I'm very happy with my SOTA Nova V, but the new advancements in the VI series look pretty amazing, as mentioned, especially the Eclipse / RR package. I'm also a big fan of their vacuum hold-down platters (unfortunately the entry price for a new vacuum table is above your stated budget). If you do move on from your Aries, SOTA would be one to look hard at. Or, incorporate the Eclipse upgrade into your Aries.