Experience VPI Dragon and/or Mark Levinson 515 turntables

I would not buy either. Single Tonearm: I want a removable headshell allowing a small collection of cartridges: Stereo; Mono; MM; MC; New; Vintage with otherwise unobtainable cantilevers. I prefer the option of a second tonearm, to start, or in the future if you want.

a Mark Levinson 515 shows up on VPIdirect, they call it a Trade-In, NOS, for $5,500. Web page is confused, You would need to call and clarify, if they have one, if so what cartridge comes with it, or have them give you a few options.

https://www.vpidirect.com/products/levinson-515-trade-in-nos

they are both made by VPI, however, they have differences, I agree, go with the company that makes it, however, buying an ML from VPI, the guarantee would come from VPI, so I would choose the ML due to their use of a Tonearm with two important differences

1. no exposed wire that make’s a random amount of ’pushback’ on the arm (thus randomly effecting anti-skate), ML is all internal wire, soldered within the unit with RCA jacks.

2. anti-skate adjuster exists on the ML arm

other differences, integral motor supply, ... see this review

https://hometheaterhifi.com/features/secrets-world-of-vinyl/turntables-secrets-world-of-vinyl/mark-levinson-no515-turntable-review/

I want a real dust cover for when it is off, I don’t see one, perhaps an option is available

SOTA... American made, never wavered from belt drive, from my knowledge.

this is a terrific Turntable, I helped a friend assemble one with long and short Micro Seiki 505 arms.

you pick one arm to start, if get hooked add a second arm

https://www.ebay.com/itm/365965005587?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=6d9d1324-c65f-11f0-a7f3-366165326233

https://www.audiogon.com/systems/11900

@elliottbnewcombjr a few points of clarification to your post

Any pivoted tonearm that has the cartridge/tonearm wires constrained by either an rca termination, lemo connection, internal DIN plug will generate a torsional torque whenever the tonearm arm moves horizontally.  The only difference between the VPI and ML table tonearm wire connection is one exits from the top while the other exists from the bottom.  Both methods will exhibit a torsional torque. 

The anti-skate device used on the ML table is manufactured by VPI and is also available for all VPI tonearms. 

Same turntable. The VPI is less expensive. No brainer.