Belt/idler/direct drive? Maybe secondhand? 

Keeping in line with the somewhat minimalist RPM5 style there's AVID's Ingenium - now with an OEM arm and cart I see as the Ingenium PNP. Both arm and cart could be usefully upgraded in the future as the TT is often seen with Jelco and SME arms. 

But the choice is very wide!

 

I suspect most forum users have quite polarised positions on DD/Belt/idler, in my experience (which is a lot less than some in the forum) DD/Belt do tend to have very different family sounds/characteristics to one another so in changing from one to another you will need to be happy with the change in characteristic suit your own ears, and whilst I have no experience of idler drives since the early/mid-1970s I suspect the same rule applies over a house sound.

 

Convenience, consistency and easy of set will likely favour DD, for other reasons you may choose belt....

 

Providing a suitable comparison in a home setting may not be easy (and don't think Graham has started a loan scheme for Turntables yet!) so you may have to rely on reliable recommendations if there is such a thing, dealer auditions, reviews etc.  If you can get hold of something to try at home vs your existing reference deck or even take yours to a good dealer may be another option though these may be difficult rather than impossible to find.

 

A good second hand TT should bring a lot more in to budget from the £2-3,000 new bracket although as with anything you will need to make sure you aren't buying a lemon.  My deck bought earlier this year is around 35 years old and performing very well but if going down this route please remember the availability of spares (motors, belts etc) as well as the ability to set it up properly to get the most out of it.

 

If bought via ebay and you decide it isn't for you, you should be able to move it on at little cost whereas new more be more of an issue.

It sounds like you may be able to have some fun in the process....