What's a good beginner turntable at $2500+- range?

Good recommendations above, BUT, the best for the $ is a properly plinthed Lenco L75. Once set, it's record after record. Glorious music, all night long!
Your Avalons will agree.

Belt drives cannot match the Lenco idler wheel for stability. This translates as perfect bass pitch, rhythmic and balanced midrange, clear highs. Beautiful tonal balance and separation.

Teres and another (yet to be announced) builder is producing a table with the same idler wheel design.

Just listen, properly implemented, belt drive, idler wheel and direct-drive can all do a great job. In this price range don't focus on technology, but focus on the end product, the music.

Dave

I say SOTA or VPI.

I had a SOTA Cosmos mk3, even upgraded it (paid $900) to have it upgraded to mk4 status. A brand new Cosmos mk4 cannot play a record at a consistent speed when compared to a vintage $300 direct drive Luxman PD-264.

The Cosmos Mk4 retails for over $6500 and cannot hold a steady speed.

Needless to say, I sold the Cosmos. Will never own another SOTA period. If you can't play a record at a consistent speed, what good are all the other fancy gimmicks?

Start with a Technics SL1210M5G and go with the after market mods available from KAB. That is what I am doing now...

Ever heard the "One bad apple doesnt spoil the whole bunch" saying? I dont think you can mod a Technics table enough to get it close to SOTA, instead of modding a Technics, just get a real table that was built right the first time.........they do exist!