End Game Turntable suggestions

+1 @mijostyn - great post.

OP - Even though you have stone floors, I would recommend getting the Rega P10 (or P8 and get a great cartridge which is very close in quality at about 55% of the price) with a suspension externally since one is not built in. You can also get a wall shelf. I have a P8 and put it on a Townshend platform and then on top of a wall shelf. Minimizing vibrations to the maximum extent I can. Platform improved the sound dramatically and the shelf got rid of any foot falls, and I have a suspended floor over a crawl space, so that is critical. Maybe just the suspension will maximize it for you with the stone floors.

If you truly want set it and forget and simplicity of purchase, Rega is the way to go (or if you want to splurge, you can get an SME, but get a IV or V arm). I like an integrated arm/table design. Also there is a unique clamp you can get for the Rega that accommodates the extremely short spindle. I use it on warped records for the maximum impact. It is by a company that also makes the mat I use that minimizes vibration further as the record only is in contact with the mat for a couple square mms. Hexmat eclipse mat and Molekula clamp made in Hungary, but delivery was a snap in the states. Both are a little pricey, but worth it to me. 

@musicmatters1206 it's not an advice, just my observation: high-end audio is ugly. Very ugly (subjective/opinion, of course) There are very few exceptions. I thought this 20 years ago when I saw my brother's super expensive British gear and then again every time I visit a dealer. I have seen so many turntables and amps that now I am used to them and think they are less ugly but it's a mystery to me why. I think it's how it evolved, partly cost, partly arrogance. It's kind of like programmer's design of a UI, functional but ugly 9 out of 10 times.

Speakers are less ugly, some are beautiful. I love and own Rega but they are pretty hideous too. My favorite TTs in the looks department are from Clearaudio

No appreciation for the OriginLive tables?  One rarely sees them on the used market and when they are ... they move extremely fast.  They appear to have a very high cost to performance ratio (big value).  They have a stelar trade in and upgrade policy.  

@drawding

Yes, that is a strange omission.

They've been around for ages and ages but like a few other companies they've always somehow slipped under the mainstream reviewers radar.

Perhaps they're publicity shy?

Or perhaps it's the fear of expansion and all of its potential pitfalls?

I can remember the days when Rega used to get some criticism for plodding along doing quite well nicely but with no apparent ambitions to expand anytime soon.

Of course all of that changed after the infamous Linn/Naim schism which broke up their stranglehold on the UK market 

Perhaps Origin Live are the same?

There must be dozens of similarly sized companies who are happy to keep a low profile and more importantly keep their order book full for the near foreseeable future.

A friend who has been a long term owner of a SME 20 / 12 using a SME V.

Not too long ago changed the TT and after a Idler Drive Experience has chosen a Scheu TT, that is modified with OL TT Parts and has a OL Illustrious. Their assessment as they have the best recollections of A respected Belt Drive Set Up in the home system is that it is a exceptional TT and great VFM.