I did the same thing back in "2000" dumping my Linn LP12. I never looked back. I went to a Michell despite the suspension problems I had in the past. It's still not perfect but at least it can be adjusted easily and it does not really affect the overall sound as it did the LP12.
I have heard the VPI Classic recently and really liked what I heard. It's really "NO FUSS" and has a nice sound with good defined bass, (better than the early Aries). I did not find the Classic dark sounding, actually opposite of that. I have a HW19 MK3 and it was much less dark than that. If I was looking for a $3K TT now I would really take a hard look at the Classic. The only issue I would warn against is the exposed arm wires can act like RFI antennae if your local is as predisposed to it as mine is. You could always try and get one w/o the VPI arm and mount another arm.
I have heard the VPI Classic recently and really liked what I heard. It's really "NO FUSS" and has a nice sound with good defined bass, (better than the early Aries). I did not find the Classic dark sounding, actually opposite of that. I have a HW19 MK3 and it was much less dark than that. If I was looking for a $3K TT now I would really take a hard look at the Classic. The only issue I would warn against is the exposed arm wires can act like RFI antennae if your local is as predisposed to it as mine is. You could always try and get one w/o the VPI arm and mount another arm.