In that price range, I'd have to recommend just a little more saving, and spend around $2k. That would give you the ability to get a Teres 135, and a Rega RB250 and a Denon DL103R.
These are the reasons.
If you get the Teres 135, it will outperform any of the TTs that you listed, right off the bat. Then there is an upgrade path, that can take you right to the top of the line, in reasonable priced increments.
The RB250 is also common on some of the other TTs you are considering. It is real good right out of the box, and also has an upgrade path, using OL mods, to bring it into the high-end arm category.
The Denon DL103R is about the best low-output MC cart, in the lower price ranges. It is really a very good cartridge no matter what the price. Your phono stage should handle it ok. It will need about 70db of gain.
This is basically how I started out earlier this year. I have had many TTs over the years, but this is my latest iteration. I have moved up to the higher models in all the categories, but what I recommended here is a "giant-killer" kind of rig. And it leaves you a pathway to easy upgrades, without having to sell stuff off. When you finally upgrade to the top model Teres 255, you will have very close to as good as analog can be. At a very low price.
I think that this is the most sensible, and cost-effective way to get into high-end analog. It may not be the cheapest way at first, but it will be the cheapest and best way in the long run. And the sound will be as good as you are ever going to get, without spending $30k.(I am talking about after you go through the upgrade path, not at the starter system. The starter system should be competitive with rigs around $6k.)
These are the reasons.
If you get the Teres 135, it will outperform any of the TTs that you listed, right off the bat. Then there is an upgrade path, that can take you right to the top of the line, in reasonable priced increments.
The RB250 is also common on some of the other TTs you are considering. It is real good right out of the box, and also has an upgrade path, using OL mods, to bring it into the high-end arm category.
The Denon DL103R is about the best low-output MC cart, in the lower price ranges. It is really a very good cartridge no matter what the price. Your phono stage should handle it ok. It will need about 70db of gain.
This is basically how I started out earlier this year. I have had many TTs over the years, but this is my latest iteration. I have moved up to the higher models in all the categories, but what I recommended here is a "giant-killer" kind of rig. And it leaves you a pathway to easy upgrades, without having to sell stuff off. When you finally upgrade to the top model Teres 255, you will have very close to as good as analog can be. At a very low price.
I think that this is the most sensible, and cost-effective way to get into high-end analog. It may not be the cheapest way at first, but it will be the cheapest and best way in the long run. And the sound will be as good as you are ever going to get, without spending $30k.(I am talking about after you go through the upgrade path, not at the starter system. The starter system should be competitive with rigs around $6k.)