If you have a little more wiggle room within that $2k I'd look at the Rega Planar 3. I've had my current TT since 2009 and have done some tweaks but never upgraded. In that same time I've upgraded all 5 of my speakers, have upgraded my television three times, upgraded my AVR (receiver) 3 times, upgraded my Blu-ray player twice, upgraded my TV PVR twice, etc., etc.
It lists at $1145 right now with the Rega Elys2 cartridge but Turntable Lab have it for $1170 with the well reviewed Ortofon 2M Blue -
https://www.turntablelab.com/collect...2m-blue-bundle
I think either option is great. If you have a Rega dealer in your area they probably carry multiple manufacturers, listen to a record on the Carbon if they have one, listen on a Rega Planar 1 and on a Planar 3 keeping every other piece of equipment the same. If you don't hear an immediate difference that says "you can't live without me" then go with the lesser value one.
I'd definitely push for a TT in the $1k range, you won't regret it and the table itself won't leave you with upgraditis for a long time to come.