As an alternative to the usual belt driven turntables, you may want to consider a Technics SL-1200mk2 with all the mods (arm damper, external power supply, threaded record clamp) from www.kabusa.com . This will be well within your budget and leave $1k for a suitable cartridge (or several different, since swapping carts is a breeze with the detachable headshells). I'm using a Denon DL-103 to my great satisfaction.
Check the recent review on TNT-Audio or Ed Kobesky's review here on Audiogon.
Check the recent review on TNT-Audio or Ed Kobesky's review here on Audiogon.