Turntable Recommendation 15K budget Avid Acutus, Brinkmann, Oracle, Nottingham,,

..and VPI is not in your consideration?

Add SME and SOTA to your list!

http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/86221/SME-SME_Model_203_Turntable-Turntables

http://www.sotaturntables.com/newtables/millennia.htm

Look at TW Acustic used wonderful musical table.

I am with stringreen, why is VPI not even a consideration, the HRX and the new Avenger would fit your price restraints and should at least be considered amongst the quality decks you mentioned.

You should add the Galibier Gavia II to your list.  It meets your criteria and is a great match with the Triplanar.

Curious also why you ruled out Kuzma, if you don't mind replying....

Artisan fidelity Lenco 75.  I own one and it is incredible.  Any Artisan Fidelity table would work.

If buying new - not on your list:
- DPS 3 - I regret not buying the original DPS - compact turntable - has the weight and aplomb of a big deck.
- Amazon Referenz ((I have the model one)
- Townshend Rock 7 
-  SME 20/2 - many think they actually sound better with a different arm to the SME V
- Funk Saffire  http://www.thefunkfirm.co.uk/turntables/saffire_III.html - sounded superb
- the grand prix monaco 

Of those on your list I have to say my favourite is the Avid Acutus

I have owned Nottingham Analogue for 19 years now. I bought one of the last Mentor tables, now replaced by the Dias. Same bearing. I recently upgraded the motor and power supply to top Dias standard. I also replaced the weak point, the plinth, with an aluminum/baltic birch / aluminum sandwich.

Results were spectacular - when I finally bought a higher end Koetsu, my dealer, upon visiting, said that my cartridge (Koetsu) was at long last the equal of the rest of my system.

Sound is smooth and quiet, with lush vocals, clean highs, and tight bass. Surface noise is very low. I was very satisfied with the NAS until my air bearing design came together last month - but that was an 18 month project and mucho dinero.

As noted, the NAS plinth is the weak point. I live far from heavy traffic, road or rail, and so do not need a sophisticated suspension. If you are not so lucky, then the Dias may not be for you.

But if your situation is similar, for $10-$15K in a finished product, I doubt that you could do better than a Dias with the optional power supply. I have rarely heard a TT that I liked better than my updated Mentor, and certainly not for $15K.

Dias, Dias.  Sorry, I meant Dais.

Clearaudio Innovation-stellar looks and excellent performance in your budget

Avid Acutus is stellar among belt drive turntables!

Dear @dragon_vibe : I think this is the one for you:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/turntables-acoustic-signature-ascona-silver-with-stand-2016-08-01-...


Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Kronos Sparta? I think that worth considering.

Why isn't an SME 20/3 on your list?  I would also consider a Basis.  Both are suspended, are from serious companies with long track records and they sound excellent.

I've worked with a great dealer who sells Oracle and VPI.  He might be a great resource to talk with.  No pressure.  Just message me if you want to connect with him.. Best of luck.  

Another 5 cents from uninformed vinyl-head: I Love my totally-Naim-ed and Keel-ed Sondek but given another chance I would try DPS/Ayre TT. Based solely on the reviews from Art Dudley of Stereophile. Lame advice, I know, my only excuse is that DPS has already been mentioned here... 

Consider a PTP Audio or Transfi Audio Salvation turntable.  The former is a top notch Lenco rebuild by Peter Reinders.  The latter is a British built direct drive turntable that is all new construction.  It has been favorably reviewed on this forum.  Also, his Terminator tonearm is well-discussed on this forum and Audio Asylum.

Both founders of their respective companies are members of Lenco Heaven.

I agree with redglobe. In your price range I'd also be looking at a JC Verdier 'table or a Jean Nantais lenco: www.idler-wheel-drive.com

Check Out the Merrill Williams "The R.E.A.L. 101 Turntable"
Install your Tri-Planer Tone Arm and you will never look back!                             
Have George fix you up!
Best of luck

So Why Idler drive over Belt Drive? 

Dear @dragon_vibe : Your thread stated:

"""  Im looking for a very musical presentation, transparent, speed which has a nice midrange bloom but not over the top. """

These characteristics are not main part of a TT design but more in the " land " of cartridge/tonearm combination mounted in a " decent " TT it does not matters if idler drive/BD or DD.

As I said, almost any TT could works for you and any one with the right cartridge/tonearm/phonolinepreamp/IC cables and is here where you have to take care a little and not so " hard " in the TT. I'm not saying that the TT is not important, because it's but for what are your priorities the other analog links could be more important.

Regards and enjoy the music,
>R.

Dragon_vibe,  If you are interested is precise sound reproduction vs an aural experience, send me a private email and I can give you access to a recording of my idler-drive via a Tascam DA-3000 recording.

@dragon_vibe "Why Idler Drive over Belt Drive?" There are proponents of both and in your price range you will get a great turntable, regardless of the drive system.  What you prefer will depend on your sonic priorities and the best advice is to listen to examples of each in your price range and decide what you like (preferably with your Triplanar fitted with your cart, through your downstream electronics, though that will probably be difficult if not impossible, as otherwise you can't isolate the sound contributed by the turntable). Idlers are known for steady timing (lack of pitch variation), good bass and "boogie factor", while a really good belt drive may do delicacy and nuance better. Many prefer direct drive over either, though I have found them a bit clinical sounding (cd-like if you prefer); some will say this is more "accurate" and, be that as it may, it is not my preference but it may be yours. 

Fisher Price. Think of all the money you could spend on records.

Kuzma ref or Stabi M

Oracle Delphi MK VI Second Generation with Oracle/SME 5 tonearm....comes standard now with the turbo power supply.
I am in the process of moving to that table from a VPI HR-X

I will be using the Transfiguration Proteus cartridge......

A new or used Galibier Gavia

these never come up for sale but Thom Mackris the desighner occasionally gets them on people moving up to the stelvios.

http://galibierdesign.com/

See the bargain bin section

Thom is one of the greats in audio

my last table

So I went with the AVID Acutus Ref SP and still debating if I should buy another table for my bedroom setup. Either the Avid Sequel or the TW Acoustics.

Well knowing that Vladimir Putin has a Acutus SP will actually help me sleep better at night...... I just thought I might as well put in a turntable for my bedroom setup as well but something less costly as its more for my wife to use rather than my self. It just keeps her fingers away from my stuff.