I still own a VPI- Aries-1 with the JMW-10 arm and a Benz MC cartridge.
I would guess the 10.5i arm is quite a bit better as goheelz recommended (above). The equivalent current choice to consider would be the new Prime turntable (3500)
if that meets your requirements. As for a speed-controller, I am not the one to ask since i have the SDS and can't hear the "big difference".
I also have the Lukaschek phono stage (about a thousand give or take)
which is a classic match to Benz MC's. Anyway, what i have- even if it's "old news" -sounds very good. Unless you're buying the high-end vinyl currently on the market, I tend to think "ordinary" records are not worth
a turntable setup that costs much more than $5K. I have 20-30 audiophile-quality records but the rest are cut-outs, fire-sales, used, etc.
If you get a vacuum-type cleaner, that can make a significant difference
when you sit back to listen. But i do agree that fussing over minute adjustments and an endless number of "highly recommended" tweaks
is (perhaps) not your style- mine neither.
Before i get slammed for being so naive about "really good analog"
being so amazingly great, etc. - a friend made a CDR for me of some
guy's very-expensive analog rig playing premium vinyl (jazz records),
and it was good but not, you know, fantastic, amazing, etc.
We were both somewhat surprised- not a lot of folks around anymore
with a 5-figure turntable system- but it fell in line with my general opinion. I still have an open mind on the subject, but until someone
can effectively demonstrate a super-high-end rig for me, that's all i can say on the subject-for now.
I would guess the 10.5i arm is quite a bit better as goheelz recommended (above). The equivalent current choice to consider would be the new Prime turntable (3500)
if that meets your requirements. As for a speed-controller, I am not the one to ask since i have the SDS and can't hear the "big difference".
I also have the Lukaschek phono stage (about a thousand give or take)
which is a classic match to Benz MC's. Anyway, what i have- even if it's "old news" -sounds very good. Unless you're buying the high-end vinyl currently on the market, I tend to think "ordinary" records are not worth
a turntable setup that costs much more than $5K. I have 20-30 audiophile-quality records but the rest are cut-outs, fire-sales, used, etc.
If you get a vacuum-type cleaner, that can make a significant difference
when you sit back to listen. But i do agree that fussing over minute adjustments and an endless number of "highly recommended" tweaks
is (perhaps) not your style- mine neither.
Before i get slammed for being so naive about "really good analog"
being so amazingly great, etc. - a friend made a CDR for me of some
guy's very-expensive analog rig playing premium vinyl (jazz records),
and it was good but not, you know, fantastic, amazing, etc.
We were both somewhat surprised- not a lot of folks around anymore
with a 5-figure turntable system- but it fell in line with my general opinion. I still have an open mind on the subject, but until someone
can effectively demonstrate a super-high-end rig for me, that's all i can say on the subject-for now.