Best bang for the buck

@mofimadness definitely got your money’s worth. I also have a VPI machine- they are sturdy 

Bought a used Heybrook TT2 table in 1985 with a Linn Basik tonearm. Upgraded. to an Alphason HRS-100 tonearm 10 years later for another 500$ (new) when analog was declining . Sold the table and tonearm separately last year for more than 1500$. Got my money back and more while enjoying a great turntable for 40 years. The lesson I learned over the years are 1) buy used if you can and 2) buy quality brand products in the first place that can resell fairly well.

I picked up a used Denafrips Hestia preamp for $600 a few days ago. It has toned down my system's occasionally bright side of neutral character and shifted it toward a warm-leaning neutral presentation, without compromising detail, resolution, or dynamics. So far, it has been the best bang-for-the-buck upgrade in my system. 

Today, with the help of my neighbor, we made 6 cable lifters out of hardwood blocks for $6 plus 1 hour to cut and  stain them.

They look cool and the sound stage is wider, blacker background, and the bass is tighter.

A Velodyne SPL 1000 sub purchased new in 2000 for $800. Still in use in main system