Opinions on bang for the buck on TT & tonearm

A used Basis turntable would be a competitor here. With a $6,000 budget you could get a 2200 with Vector 4 tonearm and have funds for an excellent cartridge. You also need a good phono stage if you don't already have one.

Why is Trans-fi "thinking out of the box"? It's one of a bajillion
legitimate candidates that probably comes to the new owner in a box.

VPI ...pick a price point and go

Second on VPI.

Stringreen and Rodman, Do you mean to say that of all the turntable/tonearm combinations in all the world that can be had for $6000 or less, you would choose "VPI"? Not to denigrate VPI as a brand name in any way, but perhaps the OP would like a more specific response. After all, VPI make many combinations of tt and tonearm in that price range. And you don't think it matters what cartridge is chosen?

IMO, VPI is fine, but so too would be a dozen or more other choices.