Looking for more advice on purchasing a new turntable.

I looked briefly through the thread, but I didn’t see whether you currently own a table or have any experience with analog. I think the recommendations would be more focused if you answered that. Sorry if I missed it if you did. @thedoc2004 

Include a record cleaner in your budget.  Sadly the high end ultrasonic will pretty much eat up your budget.  There are much lower cost alternatives, work out in your head the cost vs. effectiveness vs. hassle factor for each and add this to your budget.  Are you a tinkerer or do you want a table to show up ready to play?  Setting up an expensive cartridge is not for the faint of heart, you should be able to guess how I know this.  Hoping you have a reputable dealer that sells one of the brands listed above and will set up the table plus cartridge for you.  $5000- for new equipment versus used will sound pretty much the same.  Consider a hybrid model, used table plus cleaner with a new cartridge, preferably professionally installed.

One thing that I suggest considering in the choice of a turntable is the type of music you prefer. This is a vast generality but some turntables sound more solid but seem to lack some pace. These turntables can sound really good with orchestral music for which the ability to create a weighty, solid sound is beneficial. Typically, the turntables that I've heard with these characteristics are high mass designs.. Other turntables are better at conveying pace and rhythm. These turntables tend to be better for jazz music and other music for which pace, rhythm and timing are important. Turntables that fit this description tend to be lighter weight designs with Rega turntables (but also Linn) being prime examples. I think Technics turntables also have these characteristics, but haven't heard one personally yet.

I personally find this to be an important consideration as I've found that certain turntable designs don't work for me at all due to their perceived lack of pace and timing.