I have owned a Technics SP 10 since 1973 and it still worked but the power switch was bad. I had Bill Thalmann go over it, do the Krebs mod, a reasonably priced plinth and eventually installed a Kuzma 4 Pt. 9" arm on it. I can't remember what the TT cost me new, back in the day, but it was in 1973 dollars! Long since amortized. Thalman's work on the table wasn't costly. (and perhaps you don't do the Krebs thing). This set up runs in my vintage system in the parlor in a Quad 57 set up powered by tubes. It speaks to the longevity of the product, its reliability. (It isn't even the more desirable mk ii or mkiii, but the early model, which does not have the torque, motor or platter of the later iterations. Still, my sunk cost was minimal).
I have also owned a couple Kuzma tables, the Reference (which is self-isolating) with a Triplanar and the XL with the Airline. Franc Kuzma does nice work and supports his products, has a great distributor in the U.S. (The XL is a pain to isolate and is very heavy- not suggesting it but that little pipe bomb table he makes-- not sure how well it isolates--with the 4 Pt. 9" arm would be a nice combo--probably over your budget).
Everybody has their own personal take on TTs-- it is very hard to compare them in the real world. I would at least try to get some hands-on time with the tables and arms you are considering so you can judge the ergonomics and try to find out how effective their isolation is.
Good luck, I've found that if you make the right choices, this stuff can potentially last a lifetime with some routine maintenance and/or refurbishment.
