I recently upgraded as well. Similar thoughts to your described needs and also in the same budget. I do listen to a lot of Jazz Fusion as well as Classic Rock . However, there is no heavy metal or rap in my collection.
I really wanted to go VPI as it made in the USA, love Matt and the company but in the above $2500 range they did seem like too much fiddling was going to be required. I wanted to set it and forget it . The Acoustic Signature WOW XXL with the TA-1000 tone arm was available and at a discount. Rock solid engineering and 10 year warranty on the motor. They were cosmetically changed with very minor adjustments for 2020 for the next 5+ years of the latest production run. It was easy to set up and after 6 months no adjustments have been needed. I had to upgrade the DIN cable and matched it with a Black Cube se 2 Pre. Major upgrade in sound and clarity over my prior set-up.....as it should at 5X the cost.
I really wanted to go VPI as it made in the USA, love Matt and the company but in the above $2500 range they did seem like too much fiddling was going to be required. I wanted to set it and forget it . The Acoustic Signature WOW XXL with the TA-1000 tone arm was available and at a discount. Rock solid engineering and 10 year warranty on the motor. They were cosmetically changed with very minor adjustments for 2020 for the next 5+ years of the latest production run. It was easy to set up and after 6 months no adjustments have been needed. I had to upgrade the DIN cable and matched it with a Black Cube se 2 Pre. Major upgrade in sound and clarity over my prior set-up.....as it should at 5X the cost.