I've had for little over a year a killer table that trounced my VPI Scoutmaster in very conceivable way and it's on the south side in price and then some compared to the Prime that would allow you to get a better cartridge. Take a look at the turntables form Small Audio Manufacture a company out of Croatia! I have the Reference which I use with either The Wand 12" arm and a Origin Live Silver Mk III...it holds up to three arms. I use a Zyx 4D. These are awesome tables and I suggest you give them query...you won't be sorry. They're building quite a following. I have no affiliation with the company, only 100% satisfaction...even a free motor upgrade....
My final table , hopefully !
Back in the 80's I was seduced to the digital side ! At first it was lovely . But then , I became hooked , it got cold and ugly . After a lot of work and many years , I was able to get onto the recovery road to analogdom .
I returned with a MMF 5.1 turntable and stock cartridge . Oh that warm cozy feeling , I missed you so !
But now , as luck would have it , I want MORE ! More dynamics , more detail , more extension , more rich tone and above all else more of that sensuous musicality . I've grown old , fat and out of shape since I quit tapping my toes , bobbing my head , playing air guitar & and dancing around the room ! I'm greedy and I want it all !
Unfortunately , my addictions have forced me to the land of the small budget . I need to stay in the 2K + 3K range . If I can trade in my MMF 5.1 table and cartridge , that would help .
I would like to spend a majority of my money on the table and arm . I need a faithful dog , a table that will stick with me through thick & thin and never leave my side . To grow older with me without the need for attention . I am a set it & forget it / plug n play kind of guy . I want to listen to music , not futz with stuff . I am not able to go out and hear a lot of stuff so my ideas come from the net ...and my help comes from you !
I have read that different manufacturers tables have different sound characteristics . How much of this can be attributed to the arm and cartridge used ? How much can it be altered ? I prefer classic rock , singers & songwriters , contemporary blues , Detroit soul and classical . Not much for Disco , Rap , Techno or Hip Hop .
While most tables have an upgrade path , I would like to refrain from taking it . Again the plug n play / set it & forget it attitude .
Here is what I have come up with , in no special order :
VPI Prime - the most expensive , comes with the 3D arm .
Well Tempered Amadeus MKII - comes with the golf ball arm .
Avid Diva II
Sota Saphire V - no real need for a suspension system as I am on a slab .
Sota Saphire III - refurbished , again no real need for the suspension system .
Origin Live Calypso MkIII
Looking at the Jelco 750D arm for some of these tables .
Thank You .
Saki70