TT suggestion in the $7 - 10K range?

Cosmos IV or a Millennia. As above poster said youd have to spend 30k+ to better them.

Clearaudio innovation compact wood...$7,500 new prolly $5K used.

Modified Lenco L75. If done properly will run with the big tables and even beat many. Expect to pay $5k and up for a real serious one. Check the forums for others experiences, most will concur - these things are the real deal, puts many more expensive tables to shame. Heard many so so belt driven tables from the likes of VPI, Clearaudio, Sota throughout the years but never any that can do the things one of these modded idlers can do, just take a peek at the Artisan fidelity lenco if you want an idea of what a top modded Lenco looks like. Certain so called hi end tables are alos built poorly (ie. VPI el cheapo) but most people don't know any better. I did also hear a 301 Garrard but it did not quite stack up to the Lenco, but could have been the system or setup, too many factors involved...good luck with your quest. btw If you must go with a new table maybe try a Feickert. peace J

Just a thought about the VPI uni-pivot turntables. If you pull my posts, you will see that I own the VPI Classic 1 (w/Classic 3 arm wand). My bottom line opinion: if you can find a carty that matches well with the JMW unstabilized uni-pivot set up, the VPI sounds great and is a contender. OTOH, IME, many great carties that I tried just didn't work very well. I believe that many other Forum members echoed similar experiences. Check the threads.

I think the next time around, if there is a next time, I would opt for a different tone arm set up. Not sure which type, but something more stable than the JMW set up.

Re Sota Star Sapphire w/vacuum: I owned one for many years. It is a very nice turntable. After that, I have owned a Notts Hyperspace, upgraded Lenco, Denon DP80, Kenwood L07D, Technics SP10 Mk2 and Mk3. ALL of these turntables were and are superior to the Star Sapphire in my system, in my opinion. There are issues with pitch stability and bass response, as regards the Star. However the Star Sapphire costs less, but that's irrelevant to the OP. If Sota is a choice then one should stick to the Cosmos or Millenium. If the OP should luck out and find a Kenwood L07D, which usually can be had for about $4000 or less, that would be my choice on a cost-effective basis.