Which TT will take me to the next level

I agree with Tvad, that would be big bang for the buck to hot rod the Denon.

Another option is the Technics SP 10 Mk2 with a hot arm and cartridge. I recently rebuilt an SP 10, adding a SME arm and Air Tight cartridge and it ranks among the top tables I've owned.

Other tables I've owned include Versa Dynamics, VPI, Oracle, Win Labs, Basis Debut gold Mk 4 and Mk 5 and Walker Proscenium.

The Technics is surprisingly good and I bought mine for $450.00. Granted I put a lot into the arm and cartridge but if I didn't like the table, the arm and cartridge stand alone as a separate investment.

I agree with Tvad; that TT & arm s/b capable of taking you to the next level with a few tweaks. I do suggest mounting that Dynavector, Benz, or (Sumiko BPS EVO or Blackbird) on a Sumiko or Audio Technica Technihard headshell.

You may want to consider a Herbie's Way Excellent or Iron Audio turtable mat as well.

I'll straddle the fence.

Try a better cartidge and some anti-vibration. If no luck, move to the VPI Scout.

1.New-Marantz TT-15! Designed by Marantz and built for them by Clearaudio-$1600, contoured acrylic table with an outboard motor, sophisticated tonearm with an Ebony arm wand. TT-15 comes with an $800 Clearaudio Virtuoso Ebony Wood Cartridge. Very good value. Plus, you get a very nice cart. in asking price.
2.VPI - bottom shelve. $1000 used with a nice $500 cart.
3. Lenco - If you have the skills. I think with the right plinth and research it can be a killer. Working on one, right now.
4. Modify what you have right now.
Here is an example of a table that I almost got rid of.
Invested about a $1000 in arm and cart. Plinth is a butcher block that cost me $35 each. One used for plinth and the other for stand. If you have a weekend or two to spare - some tools and basic skills, that might be the way to go.

http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/i/f/1194752302.jpg

Cheers
Mariusz.

they are hard to find, but a maplenoll ariadne will take you to the next level but the table and arm will probably cost close to your budget. for the price range you are looking at a michell gyro with a rega 300 arm and denon or grado cartridge would probably be a good choice along with the scout from vpi.