I want to upgrade my Turntable to something heavier


I am about to retire from work. I would like to upgrade my turntable before I do this. I have a Pro-Ject, which I like a lot, but I have two big dogs. I have been considering something 1) heavier and 2) balanced. I have SourcePoint 10 Speakers driven by a PS Audio Stellar Amp. The Stelkar also offers Balanced inputs. 

I am leaning towards the Pro-Ject X8 as being a good price with room for a better cartridge. I have considered VPI, but I don't care about upgrading. Once I am retired, this is it. Ideas or Suggestions?

alahankbear

@alahankbear 

Why 3 arms?

I recommend two IF you listen to Mono, so you can go back and forth with no delay in a listening session. And removable headshells. And easy height adjustment.

For me, retired, Inherited 4,000 lps, mostly Jazz (had 2500) actively listening, alone and frequently with friends, mostly Stereo but many Mono.

I started with two arms, then found an arm with a short counterweight section so it would fit inside the dust cover, I’m soooo clever, I couldn’t help myself.

The above configuration was only 1 removable headshell.

Mono on the left, Removable Headshell in the back, play friend’s cartridges, any of mine (I stopped at 8);12-1/5" effective long arm, fixed cartridge on the right, my favorite MC at the time.

After buying a few vintage cartridges, I changed to 3 removable headshells

As we like to say, "I’m Done!"

 

Post removed 

@elliottbnewcombjr I do have photos of the dogs and more of the new kitten… he was thrown into the back yard with an injured leg. 
I don’t know how to get pictures into a post or I would be happy to show you. They are mostly just on my phone. 

Post removed 

@alahankbear 

good looking dogs, how old?

you are better than a heck of a lot of people here getting a photo to show up.

I think the photo is a bit distorted, the post windows are just a bit wider than 600 pixels, there is a way to avoid distortion:

When you are inserting a photo, there are empty dialog boxes, you can enter 600 in the width box, the height will automatically be correct.

or,

You can re-size yourself, to 600 wide, before you upload it. Be sure to make it a copy so you don’t resize your original.