"Funny you mention the Sumiko Talisman . I once had one (the Alchemist) on a Conrad Johnson Sonograph TT, Sumiko Premier MMT tone arm. CJ pre and power and Vandersteens."
Wow, what a small world Rbschauman! I had a very similar system to yours but in place of the Sonograph a SOTA Sapphire TT and Threshold amp, all else the same. Of course that was 25 years ago! I currently have a variation of the SME 309 arm, the 345 which is designed with the Oracle tt in mind. I am using a Benz wood LO cartridge with good results, sweet, relaxed, detailed but not at all aggressive, edgy or in your face. This would be in your budget and not in the stratosphere.
The SME's have always been highly regarded with SOTA tables. Good luck in your search.
Wow, what a small world Rbschauman! I had a very similar system to yours but in place of the Sonograph a SOTA Sapphire TT and Threshold amp, all else the same. Of course that was 25 years ago! I currently have a variation of the SME 309 arm, the 345 which is designed with the Oracle tt in mind. I am using a Benz wood LO cartridge with good results, sweet, relaxed, detailed but not at all aggressive, edgy or in your face. This would be in your budget and not in the stratosphere.
The SME's have always been highly regarded with SOTA tables. Good luck in your search.