lateral move. Emphasis on 'at best'. It's no more than HP's latest marketing effort to ride whatever wave the audio blogs are surfing at any given moment.
I'd suggest an idler, preferably a Garrard 301/401 (around 1k) if you can do some diy. Otherwise, you can take a stab at a non-suspended-belt-drive-made-by-VPI by purchasing a used Scout. Good sonics, you can get out of it for whatever you put in, but it will still have the crappy, coggy Hurst motor (forget ever trying to implement tape drive with that thing) and you'll need an SDS to really make it work (same for the 'Classic', btw, or in fact any VPI deck).
Or, take Raul's advice-the deck you've got ain't chopped liver, and in fact, if you've got the scratch to 'lend' yourself for a few weeks, you could do the 'Scout' purchase and compare in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Anyway, have fun.
I'd suggest an idler, preferably a Garrard 301/401 (around 1k) if you can do some diy. Otherwise, you can take a stab at a non-suspended-belt-drive-made-by-VPI by purchasing a used Scout. Good sonics, you can get out of it for whatever you put in, but it will still have the crappy, coggy Hurst motor (forget ever trying to implement tape drive with that thing) and you'll need an SDS to really make it work (same for the 'Classic', btw, or in fact any VPI deck).
Or, take Raul's advice-the deck you've got ain't chopped liver, and in fact, if you've got the scratch to 'lend' yourself for a few weeks, you could do the 'Scout' purchase and compare in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Anyway, have fun.