TT suggestion in the $7 - 10K range?

I am quite surprised that the range of recommendations is so narrow (except for Peter's), given the highly permissive price range. I would say that, before you spend any money, you should go wherever necessary and LISTEN to a wide variety of turntables that are within your price range, new or used. Also, it would be foolish to exclude categorically direct-drive and idler-drive options. Take 6 months, if necessary. It will be a rewarding effort. It will also be difficult to control for tonearm/cartridge combinations that have a huge effect on sonics. After a while, you will develop some skill to separate the "sound" of the tt from that of the tonearm/cartridge.

Re Sota Star Sapphire w/vacuum: I owned one for many years. It is a very nice turntable. After that, I have owned a Notts Hyperspace, upgraded Lenco, Denon DP80, Kenwood L07D, Technics SP10 Mk2 and Mk3. ALL of these turntables were and are superior to the Star Sapphire in my system, in my opinion. There are issues with pitch stability and bass response, as regards the Star. However the Star Sapphire costs less, but that's irrelevant to the OP. If Sota is a choice then one should stick to the Cosmos or Millenium. If the OP should luck out and find a Kenwood L07D, which usually can be had for about $4000 or less, that would be my choice on a cost-effective basis.