Allocation of analog resources

Similar to what has been stated, my take on it is:

Table- learn and discover what basic sound quality the three drive types offer and to which you gravitate towards ( belt, idler, DD ). then get the best ( and best built ) you can now you have a foundation piece.

Tonearm- ditto above but for the three main tonearm types ( unipivot, gimbal, linear ). I would add the additional use/ handling factors for uni and linear in terms of comfort of use. Now out this on hold a bit and go to cart...

Visit carts is same way and circle back to tonearm when it comes to creating a happy tonearm/cart pair.
While everything matters I agree that cart is the best place to skimp as you will be replacing it at some point :)

Lastly phono preamp. This is hard as really good phono pre’s are expensive...but there are value leaders in the under $5k zone already well discussed here. Now you have a ’sound’ from the table/arm/cart start to demo phono preamps...

Have fun!

My current phono stage is an Audio Research PH-5 and I'm very happy with its performance.  (Although new tubes are probably in the offing -- it's always something...)

My basic premise is that balance is required in each part of your system.  I think there are a number of quality 'tables out there in the $5-7k range.  It seems to me that you're missing out on some (and maybe a lot) of what those decks can do if you slap a $900 arm on them.  At the other extreme, it doesn't make sense to me to put a $15k arm on a $5k turntable.  So what's the sweet spot -- something around $2.5-$4k for an arm?  And then the cartridge -- maybe I'd keep my Delos for some time, as it's almost brand new, but would it then become the limiting factor?  Should I look at moving up the Lyra line or look at a $4k Hana Umami Red or equivalent.  

I'm not so much looking for "buy this" recommendations, but general guidelines on how folks allocate their analog budgets.

Maybe it's too a vague a request.  If so, sit back and enjoy the music.  I know I will.

Happy listening,
dawgfish

I don`t think that your request is too vague, but there are many considerations.
Your phono stage is quite good, IMO, so I would concentrate on turntable/arm/cartridge, and roughly allocate one third of your budget to each component.
There are also a lot of second hand bargains out there. Second hand cartridges are a bit risky, but turntables and especially tonearms are pretty safe to buy. You can`t go very wrong with something from SME or Fidelity research.

Balance is important to some degree. Your Lyra cartridge is a good match with your AR phono stage and if you get a new cartridge it should have output about the same as the Lyra.

A good tonearm is very important, and a tonearm costing as much as your turntable is fine. You will get more out of your cartridge with a better tonearm.

A used AMG Giro turntable might be a consideration for you. The AMG tonearm is an excellent tonearm

"something around $2.5-$4k for an arm"

If you're adventurous, using the VPI as a temporary home for a really nice arm is another option.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis991g5-sota-satellite-series-ii-turntable-with-rega-s202-tonearm...

Something like this, in the 10" would be a huge upgrade on the substantial Classic base. 

As some are mentioning, I wouldn't be so concerned about cart. Looks like you have competent phono stage to grow with.

Kuzma will put all your existing carts and future in another league. The arm can eventually go with  the appropriate Kuzma table, or whatever you decide, if  you don't get both at the same time.

Classic 1 is perfect tweakie base. It reminds me of the Rega P5 which can be jacked to approach the stock VPIClassic 1. Classic 1 with a few thought out tweaks should approach something near $10K.

Stock the Classic 1 is weak without SDS/Phoenix. Perhaps you already have that covered as well?  Arm and speed control should elevate it considerably.