Best Turntable/arm/cartridge system for $30k

Arwp, in their day the Accuphase 100/101 were virtually undeniably state of the art. Today there are better digital sources, including some which provide very enjoyable redbook performance, albeit not at the same level as great vinyl.

I agree with some of the comments above about traveling to audition what interests you. At this price level there is no substitute for hearing what you are considering. What is talked-up on forums such as this one can be misleading and may not be what is best, and proper setup is so very important. As a seasoned show attendee I do not recommend them for serious auditioning; they are useful mainly for becoming acquainted with the products and the people behind them.

Depending upon your location, you may want to travel to one of the larger metropolitan areas near you and visit a few dealers there. In your budget range it's entirely reasonable for you to expect the dealer to deliver, set up and optimize the system in your home, at no extra cost. At least that's my approach.

Arwp, in your budget range by careful selection you can get a no compromise analog system that is within a hair's breadth of absolute state of the art. Again, I wouldn't even think about buying anything in this price range without an audition and would discount recommendations posted online. You are looking to purchase a long term solution, just as your digital system has been.