Low-Profile Turntable

The 7" height restriction (including dust cover) would be when not in use. Once the dust cover removed, I would have a total of 9" which should provide enough clearance for placing an LP on the turntable provided the turntable platter is low.

So far, for my budget and height restrictions, I leaning towards the following possibilities:
- Rega P3-24
- Rega P5
- Clearaudio Emotion
- Clearaudio Performance
- VPI Scout

06-28-09: Agiaccio
The 7" height restriction (including dust cover) would be when not in use. Once the dust cover removed, I would have a total of 9"...

9 - 7 = 2

Is 2" enough clearance to remove the dustcover without banging the tonearm? I doubt it.

OK, I'm not explaining myself very well here (my bad).

I have a 54" plasma TV that is mounted on an Avion A/V cabinet via a bracket. This allows the TV to be "suspended" 9" from the cabinet's top (that is, the TV does not sit on the cabinet). The turntable will sit on this cabinet in front of the "suspended" TV. When the turntable is not in use, I do not want it to block the view of the TV screen. Therefore, I need a turntable that will be less than 7"-8" in height, including the dust cover. Since the turntable is sitting on the cabinet, in front of the "suspended" TV, there is plenty of room above the turntable for removing the dust cover and placing / removing LPs.

BDI Avion Cabinet:
http://www.bdiusa.com/theater/graphics/cabinets/large_images/avion_8540.jpg

Hope this help!

So what turntable(s) would you recommend (new) that is $2000-$3000 and less than 7"-8" in total height?

Less than 7" high and between $2000 and $3000?

Well Tempered Amadeus, Clearaudio Performance, Rega P7 (about 5"), Funk Firm with upgraded tonearm, Thorens TD 850 (5.7" high, Stereophile Class B, and TAS "Best of the Best" award).