Starting research for turntable

I'm have some wiggle as far as price is concerned, $4,000 was a figure to go from and was only for the turntable.  As far as experimenting with different setups, I'm retired and enjoy the challenge of getting the best sound quality I can.  I do all the mechanics on my motorcycle. 

Based on your comments I would buy a tonearm with a removable headshell. I would also consider something higher up the Dr. Feickert line because setting up and changing tonearms is much easier. It will put you out of your budget, but you won't need to upgrade the turntable again.

I would do a vpi prime

I’m have some wiggle as far as price is concerned, $4,000 was a figure to go from and was only for the turntable. As far as experimenting with different setups, I’m retired and enjoy the challenge of getting the best sound quality I can. I do all the mechanics on my motorcycle.

Then you and turntables sound like a match made in heaven. Analog is very old school in that everything is out in the open. You can see what each part is doing. Most of these tables, VPI is a classic example, they are basically a board with a bearing screwed into it, something flat and round on the bearing, a motor with a rubber band running the whole thing. With not too much trouble you can make your own board, although of course you have to remember to call it a plinth, as analog lovers have all these special words to disguise the fact they’re dragging a needle through plastic.

If you’re half as mechanically inclined as you sound then this is all the advice that you need. Look at the turntable as you would any other mechanical device. Understand its job is to remain super stable even while spinning a platter generating lots of drag and vibration. If you look at a lot of the flimsy lightweight tables out there and wonder how the hell is that gonna work? You are on the right track. Good solid heft and overbuilt construction is a plus.

Also the arm can be changed very easily and on any table. The design itself can sometimes be a challenge, but usually the only thing makes it hard is how handy you are and how important it is to look all professional and pretty. Also how willing you are to experiment. An arm can be mounted in a piece of scrap MDF, scrap acrylic, scrap aluminum or steel, and look like crap but work just fine. So then you might try laminating combinations of these. (Sound familiar? Look at VPI!) Guarantee, that’s all they do. Try stuff, find what works, build it, sell it.

Not trying to tell you what to do. Trying only to plant the seed idea that it helps to see a turntable not as a finished product but a starting point. You’re a smart guy. You will be able to see the design of some tables lends itself more to development than others. Everyone can suggest specific tables. Only you can choose among them. Hope this helps.

I want to thank everyone who has commented about my search. 
First of all I want to try to clear up any discrepancy with the original post.  I am and have been an audio enthusiast most of my life.  Now  retired I'm choosing to spend my time pursuing my hobby.

I realize that a phono preamp is required. what I'm looking for from your expertise is advice on pairings of table, preamp, arm and cartridge mc and mm. I put an amount of $4,000 for table alone pure and simple, the other items are expected as extra costs.

You have given me good suggestions particularly about George Merrill, I tend to really like crafts people like him.

I hope this gives you more information of what I'm after. 

Thanks 
Mike