Looking for a best TT without arm for under 10K.


Jumping back into analog and could use some advice. Tables in the running are Micro Seiki, Avid Acutus and ????? System is all tubes and I love to tinker. Cheers
thedubemaster
The number of differing opinions may equal the similar number of the applicable tables meeting your price criteria. I had been craving a nice table for quite (!) some time and had been holding off until after I move to a house. A close to perfect (for me) TT became available, with a location that availed pickup for me. So... my choice was the La Platine Verdier. Mine came with a OMA slate plinth, as well. Tho, I do happen to like the classics. Then, I found a DaVinci Grandezza Grand Reference tonearm. I plan to buy a new Lyra Titan I. Full tube system, here. Take your time in choosing so that you find the TT you will be truly be happy with!
Likely, many will respond with their favorite TT under $10K. Here's mine - the Ayre-DPS, which without a tonearm will run about $9250 or so. It is one fantastic turntable! I have it with Mr. Bauer's matching tonearm (about $3.5K if memory serves) and love the setup.
There are a lot of people that have replaced mega-buck TTs with the Technics SP 10 and a good plinth. A good DD TT will sound better than all but the very best belt drive tables. Compared to those there is almost no difference.

You can spend a lot of money, but you don't have to especially if you want good sound. I had a number of tables in my room ranging from the Sota Cosmos VII to a Teres, and the technics was better than anything I have owned.
Another big +1 for the Bauer DPS/Ayre turntable. The combo that really kills is the one pictured at that link--with DPS's own dedicated tonearm and a Lyra cartridge. The earlier prototype had a hot-rodded RB250 tonearm, but the final productized one with the DPS tonearm is better.

Between Ayre's power supply and DPS's unique bearing and pulling design, this 'table has the best speed consistency of any belt-drive I've heard anywhere near this price. It does not have that characteristic "belt drive" sound; it's more neutral and the speed consistency is better.

The design of the turntable itself is all about vibration damping and control, and DPS managed to package it in a modest, elegant rectangular package.

Stereophile's review is here, but as usual Art Dudley couldn't content himself with reviewing the product as shipped; he swapped in his Naim Aro tonearm, negating half the equation. His review is extremely favorable, but the DPS tonearm is so good it deserved full consideration. The picture at the Ayre site shows the DPS tonearm; Dudley's S'phile review evidently shows it with the Aro. Still, that may give you more what you're looking for, as you could install a SME, Graham, or whatever and Dudley's review gives you what the turntable does apart from the tonearm.

Links to more reviews are available here.
Of course, there is no "Best" turntable under $10K. There are many options available. I have been very happy with my Galibier Gavia table and would recommend that you consider it.