$7K to spend on new turntable + arm

I owned the Nova Phenomina and would upgrade it first. Look into Pass XONO a very quiet competent phono that will do justice to a $7k or $5k after a phono upgrade, TT upgrade. If you choose to do the table first, as I did, you will be upgrading the Nova Phenomina very shortly, as I "had" to !!!!!!!!
I also like and recommend the Basis 2200 or the 2500 with a Vector 3 arm, great performers for the money !!!!!

12-14-13: Bpowers23
Overall, the system is excellent, but I think my table, though solid, is now the weakest link.

I don't know that I agree with you there. I wouldn't bother running a nice $7K table/arm like the Basis I recommended through a Pre-Pro and multi-channel amp. I think the VPI Scout/Dynavector is just fine for your current setup. If you upgrade the table/arm, then you will need to upgrade your electronics as well, IMHO.

Jmcgrogan2,

Hmmm.. The Theta has the capability to go multichannel, yes. But it is a mono-Channel, fully balanced, Class A design. Each channel stands on it own. So I can simply switch to Stereo mode and only two channels are active. Its a completely black amp. No background noise whatsoever, In addition, My speakers are 4Ohm, full range. They need power.
To get "better" and a better fit for my speakers I'd have to invest 10k in the amp.

The prepro controls the volume. That's it. It's out of the way.

The turntable/cartridge are likely to have the greatest impact on my current system. With the phono amp possibly next as has been mentioned.

Bpowers23, per Jmcgrogan2's recommendation of a Basis 2200 with Vector 4 arm and your mention of doing research on those items. Paul Seydor reveiwed that very setup in tas a while ago. Found it on the tas website. There may be other reviews on the Basis website. I've not heard the 2200 but have owned other Basis 'tables which have been stellar and their support has been exceptional.

You've had your fun with the VPI Scout, now maybe go for something totally different.

That's what I did since I really couldn't stand their extremely wobble (unstable) VPI unipivot tonearm.

There are lots of good choices out there, so audition, have fun but most of all, take your time.

Some recommendations include:
- Linn Majik LP12
- Rega RP8
- Acoustic Signature Challenger
- Clearaudio Ovation
- Avid Diva II SP
- Oracle Paris
- Brinkmann Bardo (w/ Origin Live Encounter tonearm)

For a cart, you can stay with the Dynavector DV-20X2 MC or even a Clearaudio Maestro Wood V2 MM (excellent carts for the money).