$5k Upgrade

Yes! Listen to one of the WT tables. I think you'll be surprised at how different and pleasing the presentation is compared to your Clearaudio. I went from an Amazon turntable to just a Simplex and was WAY happier. Music sounds like people playing instruments. It's all very tactile. Never get that from the Champions that I've heard. Accurate and dynamic but not music you can reach out and touch.

Look into the WTL Versalex. Great table and would look (and sound) great with your Shindo gear!

The Rock 7 is to UGLY for your setup ;-)

I own a WT Versalex/ DV XV1s and rate it highly. I went from a fully rigged up Linn LP12 and wouldn't want to go back to it. The new WT 400 Royale is fantastic. The best turntable I've heard by a street...

I did end up getting a well tempered amadeus II, a EMT TSD15 which is being run through an Auditorium SUT (DL103 version) into MM phono on Shindo Auriges Pre-Amp.  It is definitely a different presentation, much quieter background, more dynamic than the clearaudio.  The ZYX Airy 3 (which I also ran on this table) seems to have better detail but the EMT is better in mids and bass and more enjoyable overall.  I would love to try the higher ZYX carts but I think that this price point is as high as I go on the cartridge side.  

I hadn't kept up with the new WT Royale, looks very intriguing.  The likely upgrades that I will consider is going up in the shindo chain, massetto, and likely get the new Auditorium SUT built specifically for the EMT TSD15.  

The Royale looks interesting for sure. I listened to a few turntables this year, but eventually put the money in to a different system upgrade. I will continue to listen, but Mr. Firebaugh really has designed a special product. To my ears, some of the tables I heard lost the tonality of the WTL.