Advice on Turntable & MC cartridge under $2k

Technics 1200gr and a Hana SL (ortofon black) would be a nice combo, or any similar priced cart MM-MI-MC. 

I spent this past weekend at a tech event at my local audio shop they are Technics and Rega dealers they had all the technics tables set up in the same system, Naim-Totem based system. I spend 4 hours there Saturday evening listening and have to say the new Technics tables are fantastic IMO better then the similar priced Rega's they also had. I found the 1200gr to be the sweet spot in the line 95% of the 1200g at half the price (lets not get into the $25k table here), even the 1500c was surprisingly good for the money even the built in phono stage was quite good. All the tables had the same cart on it I believe an Ortofon black. 

Over all I was really impressed with the new Technics tables. The 2 Rega's we listened to (can't recall models but they were priced similar to the 1500c and 1200gr), are good too just not my choice from the listening session, I do believe they had Rega carts on them though so that will effect the outcome. I felt the Rega's were lean sounding in comparison, that of course could be the cart. 

I liked the substantial mass of the technics tables over the light weight tables from Rega. But I've always been a mass or suspended guy. 

I can stretch the budget a bit, I can get Rega 8 with an Apheta 2 cartridge for around $3k - does anyone have experience with those?

@tooblue Thanks for the suggestion, I'm in the UK and those turntables are pretty expensive here. I'll keep an eye out for a used one.

@chakster I'm actually quite happy with my MM cart but I need an MC to test a preamp design. I'm set up with the lab test equipment but need something for listening tests. What do you reckon I'd need to spend to get a TT and Cart without going over the top?

@chakster , don't need the factory as it is not an issue for me, I have soundsmith for the rebuild and if that is a problem for you just purchase from Music Direct for $100.00 more and your problem is solved and still under $2000.00 for the combo I mentioned to begin with. Thank you for your input though and enjoy the music.

@tooblue

Misinformation ?

Send the serial number of your ART-9 to the nearest AT dealer and you will make sure that there is NO factory service at Audio-Technica for you (and others like you). For this reason you can’t change (in the future) your worn ART-9 to a new ART-9 at Audio-Technica for a very low price. This option is a clear benefit for everyone, but not for you.

Saved about $100-200 on grey market sample with 2Juki you have ruined your relations with Audio-Technica. Do you think it is a good advice for others ? I don’t think so.

If you prefer to mess around with funny looking belt drive turntables then it’s your choice. I have no problem with it.

Regarding MM cartridges we have a huge thread on here, believe it or not but many people prefer a good vintage MM over cheap LOMC and even over some very expensive LOMC ( i have all kinds of cartridge myself, but with low budget MM/MI is always better).

Regarding MI cartridges Peter Ledermann, who will probably be your re-tipper when your ART-9 is worn out, can explain in his lecture why MI is better than MC. This information coming from a person who personally fixed many thousands of MC cartridges for his customers at SoundSmith. 

Good old chakster, same old song and dance and still spewing his misinformation. 

A good MC cartridge alone cost $1k minimum when you're buying new (not a second hand), the best new turntable you can buy with your budget is brand new japanese direct drive released few years ago: Technics SL1200GR (about $1700 new). You'd be better with MM/MI cartridge with your budget, not to mention stylus replacement option you can do by yourself (and you don't need an expensive MC phono stage too). Go for MM/MI and Technics Direct Drive. Do not buy cheap low compliance MC like Denon or related if you don't have super heavy tonearm for them. You can find some amazing vintage MM cartridges under $700 and some of them are better than overpriced new LOMC up to $2k.   

2Juki selling grey market products, the goal of ART9 is very cheap factory exchange at Audio-Technica when the stylus is worn, this option is not available for any grey market products from grey market dealers. The ART9 must be purchased ONLY from official dealers, you’re not saving much when you buy from grey market dealers, but you loose a lot because Audio-Technica will not accept any carts for re-tip/exchange from grey market dealers! It is a new cartridge and it's nice to have factory service to keep it alive for a long time. 

I just purchased, 3 months ago, a brand new never opened VPI original Scout with the acrylic platter for $900.00 here on Agon and paired it with a brand new AT ART9 bought from 2Juki on eBay for $860.00 to use with my headphone setup in my office and that is one hell of a setup for less than $2,000.00. FYI I am a fan of VPI as I own a Prime with SMFA/peripheral ring/SDS/BDRC and an HRX, both of these are in my main system.

The title should read 'Advice on Turntable & MC cartridge under $2k'
For some reason the '&' changed to '&', which is confusing here. I'm not looking for an amp as well.