Since you seem to like "old school" let me give you an option. Find a Dual 701 direct drive turntable. The table itself is as good as any every produced, and the arm is excellent. It should cost you well under $500. Then spend the other $1500 on the bes MC cartridge and headamp you can listen to.
If you want to save money, here's a used combo that sounds as good as anything I've heard in the last 30 years: Aforemention Dual 701, Accuphase AC-2 MC cartridge, Marcof PPA-2 battery-driven headamp. Find them (relatively rare, put them together, and you've got at least $4000 of sound.
If you want to save money, here's a used combo that sounds as good as anything I've heard in the last 30 years: Aforemention Dual 701, Accuphase AC-2 MC cartridge, Marcof PPA-2 battery-driven headamp. Find them (relatively rare, put them together, and you've got at least $4000 of sound.