Hi. So far, I haven't "axe murdered" anyone, so I am totally innocent on that count. :^)
Anyway, the questions you have are quite understandable and reasonable.
I'll take a shot at answering them.
First, regarding the OL Silver tonearm, it is a very good choice for the money, especially if you are contemplating a Shelter or other low compliance cartridge. It is very good with them. Also, there is no doubt at all that the HiFi mod is a superb upgrade for practically nothing, and I'd also recommend putting Doug's VTF-on-the-fly kit too, for virtually nothing. The aftermarket drop counterweights like the Heavyweight are good improvements for the money also.
About setup, I don't think that quivering hands will cause any problems with the setup of the table, but could have some impact when installing the cartridge, and adjusting the tonearm. However, this would be the case with any cartridge and tonearm, so that's an issue you'll just have to deal with somehow, if you want to stay in analog.
Be advised that the 150 is only available as a KIT, and must be sanded, stained, finish sanded, and lacquered by the buyer. This must be taken into account considering your shakey hands, and non-DIY nature.
About the VTA adjusting collar, telling Chris about it when ordering is the right thing to do, but I have first hand experience that these OL VTA collars sometimes have different diameters, due to QC variances at OL. Even if Chris drills the armboard to fit the one he measured, it is still possible that there could be a discrepancy in fit. I'm sorry to say that, but it is possible. You may have to do some very slight fitting of the armboard hole with a file or sandpaper, if necessary.
Regarding sonic flavor and detail retrieval, the 150 model is in the wood/lead plinth category of Teres tables, and has very good detail retrieval and strong dynamic bass response. It is not "warm" in my opinion, but it is not overly analytical either. I think it strikes a very nice balance between the analytical and warm sounds, and is very musical. I would not use the term "dark" to describe the sound of the Teres turntables at all.
In fact, I would not be at all surprised to find that you prefer the sound of the Teres over the Versa Dynamics table.
Certain "audiophile" characteristics such as width and height of soundstage, image, and such will be subject to many factors, but on my system I can get a very realistic soundstage width and height and depth, with excellent imaging. I expect that you would also. While this table may not be the absolute all-out best in the world, it certainly does very very well for the money, and would be sufficient for many audiophiles to be their last turntable purchase.
In the final analysis, it will be a matter of taste as to whether you are totally satisfied with the Teres. But in my opinion, if you are not satisfied, you wouldn't be satisfied with anything else in the price range either. I think you'll be pleasantly shocked at how good it sounds for the money.
Anyway, the questions you have are quite understandable and reasonable.
I'll take a shot at answering them.
First, regarding the OL Silver tonearm, it is a very good choice for the money, especially if you are contemplating a Shelter or other low compliance cartridge. It is very good with them. Also, there is no doubt at all that the HiFi mod is a superb upgrade for practically nothing, and I'd also recommend putting Doug's VTF-on-the-fly kit too, for virtually nothing. The aftermarket drop counterweights like the Heavyweight are good improvements for the money also.
About setup, I don't think that quivering hands will cause any problems with the setup of the table, but could have some impact when installing the cartridge, and adjusting the tonearm. However, this would be the case with any cartridge and tonearm, so that's an issue you'll just have to deal with somehow, if you want to stay in analog.
Be advised that the 150 is only available as a KIT, and must be sanded, stained, finish sanded, and lacquered by the buyer. This must be taken into account considering your shakey hands, and non-DIY nature.
About the VTA adjusting collar, telling Chris about it when ordering is the right thing to do, but I have first hand experience that these OL VTA collars sometimes have different diameters, due to QC variances at OL. Even if Chris drills the armboard to fit the one he measured, it is still possible that there could be a discrepancy in fit. I'm sorry to say that, but it is possible. You may have to do some very slight fitting of the armboard hole with a file or sandpaper, if necessary.
Regarding sonic flavor and detail retrieval, the 150 model is in the wood/lead plinth category of Teres tables, and has very good detail retrieval and strong dynamic bass response. It is not "warm" in my opinion, but it is not overly analytical either. I think it strikes a very nice balance between the analytical and warm sounds, and is very musical. I would not use the term "dark" to describe the sound of the Teres turntables at all.
In fact, I would not be at all surprised to find that you prefer the sound of the Teres over the Versa Dynamics table.
Certain "audiophile" characteristics such as width and height of soundstage, image, and such will be subject to many factors, but on my system I can get a very realistic soundstage width and height and depth, with excellent imaging. I expect that you would also. While this table may not be the absolute all-out best in the world, it certainly does very very well for the money, and would be sufficient for many audiophiles to be their last turntable purchase.
In the final analysis, it will be a matter of taste as to whether you are totally satisfied with the Teres. But in my opinion, if you are not satisfied, you wouldn't be satisfied with anything else in the price range either. I think you'll be pleasantly shocked at how good it sounds for the money.