which turntable for the future?

I bought a VPI TNT 3.5 turntable with 10" JMW Memorial tonearm in August 2001.  It has been in constant use for over 20 years.

Although I had to replace the motor several years ago;  VPI promptly supplied me with a new motor at reasonable cost.  I had to install the motor in the original housing, which was not too difficult.

The unit still works very well.  The sound seems to be independent of the turntable/tonearm while significant differences have been noticable between several different moving-iron and moving-coil cartridges.

Of course, I like to think my home designed/constructed phono preamp plays some role in that performance.  The rest of the system includes a high quality preamp/processor and power amplifiers that can easily make audible any deficits in vinyl reproduction.

Were I to replace the TNT/tonearm at some point, I would lean toward another VPI combo based upon my experience.

@renatocomes, I have the same set up but did the Gert Petersen mod. As good as the MK IV is with the V arm, the mod addressed the bass and increased dynamics amongst other attributes. If you are DYIer, a short week of Sundays will bring the table, arm into your future. 

The Gyrodeck is a nice turntable but can certainly be improved upon.

As you value design/looks, the Oracle Delphi Mk VI is worthy of consideration.

The Clearaudio turntables also look and sound great.

A final suggestion is Vertere. I regret I haven't heard them but I'm very familiar with Roksan's and the Vertere's take the same design principles and improve on them.

Are regards the secondhand question, I would have no problem buying a secondhand deck from a reputable dealer. SME's in particular are built like tanks and will last for ever unless deliberately abused.

Of course your ears and eyes must judge what's right for you.

I like both my music hall mmf-7.3 and my Avid ingenium, all the turntable I'll ever need. If a turntable keeps proper speed, is well isolated, and has a decent tonearm, I cannot see spending any more than my two aforementioned tables. Both are well executed designs. I spend most my money on records nowadays. 

I spent a ton of time thinking about this last year. I emailed Mike Fremer and Michael Trei and got a lot of opinions. In the end, I was down to the Kuzma Stabi R with a 4pt arm or a Brinkmann Bardo. I ultimately found a demo model Bardo with the 10.5 arm and an ortofon Cadenza black that was set up by Mike Trei. The deal was too good to pass up. This table has changed my listening experience. The I didn't realize turntables could leoduce this kind of frequency response and the dynamics are stellar. If the price range you're looking at you could step up to a Taurus or even a Spyder in The Brinkmann line. I don't have the Kuzma but feel it would have been an equally good but different choice. As others have said, I'd avoid rhe VPI. They're super cool looking but ultimately don't perform to the level of some of the others mentioned on this thread.