I'd recommend sticking with what you have, until you learn a little more about hifi (not condencending, I am a newbie too). I originally had a project TT which was a few hundred bucks. To really move up a level in turntables, I'd recommend a boutique brand. Unfortunately all of the boutique brands are fairly costly. I have a Dr. Feickert Blackbird now which completely rocks. It can be completely assembled and disassembled by the owner (if you are willing:) (which I've done:).
Dr. Feickert recently released a fairly affordable higher end "entry-level" table at 3500 (iirc). I have heard it and while its not a blackbird, it is really impressive compared to other tables in this price range. It's double your budget, but I've found the key to the rabbit hole that is HIFI is efficiency. IOW, upgrade to (gear you have heard personally), that you like, that offers the best bang for the buck as few times as possible.
I highly recommend Feickert tables. Chris is a really cool guy, extremely well respected by his peers in the hifi manufacturing community, and the consumers of his products are fans (atleast I am :). He is a down to earth guy, and his tables are nearly perfect (German tables FTW!).