recommendations for TT + arm + cart, around $3.5k

Are you sure you can't get there by just getting a different cartridge? There a huge differences between types of stylus' and cartridges that can get you where you want to go.

Were I you I would first concentrate of getting the type of cartridge that fits your budget and sound requirements. If, after you get past that, consider what you will need from an arm which should match the needs of the cartridge and TT to compliment the cartridge and arm. For many less than dyed in the wool analog audiophiles looking for the best available, a cartridge which will work with your present phono stage and arm may be all you need.

Just something to think about. :-)

Were I in your place Justin, assuming that you are not trying to establish your analog source as some type of reference system and are only trying to adjust tone a bit I would explore some old mm cartridges that might just give you a very accurate reflection of what is on the disc.

The only problem is that 1) You have to be sure that the cartridge's compliance matches the mass of your tone arm, and 2)and that these cartridges are cheap and not exotic! No bragging rights! :-) Just recall they were very popular 30+ years ago and are still available, for example some Stanton and Shure cartridges (I forget the numbers but with the Stantons they were something like 681 and or 881 and the Shure M97(?). I used some models from them for years back before the profusion of MC cartridges and was quite happy. I felt they were neither warm nor additive.

While I can understand your situation and have certainly gone thru more than my share of upgrades, analog is one of the areas where nothing is plug and play. The design of your stylus/cartridge demands an arm of a certain design. The design of an arm demands a certain type of TT. Often a one system purchase from a manufacturer can be your best bet, so long as you are satisfied with the actual sound when you plug it into your phono stage (which should be in sync, sonically, with your cartridge OR you know to and be able to modify the tone of the cartridge to give you the sound you want. For example I use tube phone stages and can change tubes to change tones).

Cheap and simple works but, unfortunately, it usually takes work on your part to make it so.

Now to give you a WAG about what is currently available on the market that might work for you (with the right cartridge added) think of the newest TT/Arm by VPI called the Classic. Worth looking into as are some of the Older "Scout" series. I'd also look at the lesser Nottinghams, a TT design I really like, maybe not so much the arm, but then I'm not sure how much I'd like the arm that comes with the Classic either.

Now life gets really complicated for you..........:-)