Turntable suggestions?

There were many different models of Rek-O-Kuts. the high ticket ones are the models that have a cutting/recording lathe (as the name implies) as well as a standard arm, but I suspect that these are purchased mainly for their history, not their sound. Most other models (depending on the arm and condition) sell for under $100 (sometimes more), from what I recall while watching them on Ebay last year. I have never heard one that did not have a great deal of rumble evident when the volume of a system was increased and this was years ago when the units were still in good shape (but again I have only listened to 3 or 4 of them). Lucid: What model do you have and what type of drive system does it use? I never lifted a platter on the old ones, but assumed that they used some type of rim drive. There was a later manufacturer that "kind of" copied the "style of the ReK-O-Kuts', but I cannot recall their name off hand, some of their model #'s were 598 & 698 (this I do remember).

I use an old Thorens TD165 right now, but would only consider upgrading to a deck/arm combo which has VTA that is adjustable "on the fly". Having adjusted the VTA on my arm and cartridge (which is a PITA) for some older mono and Shaded Dog stereo LP's (which are thicker than the norm) I realize that this is the only way to get the best out of LP's with variable thickness. My compromise for the time being is a soft piece of felt that I use on the platter to raise the thinner LP's. However this only adresses half of the problem (as I do not go to the trouble of shimming/adjusting the cartridge) and it is not a great solution. There are lots of good decks without this feature, but I suspect that this is something that would do it for finicky old me.