Well, you asked … so here are some recommendations worth exactly what you paid for them.
Turntable: VPI Prime ($4k-4.5k) Full disclosure: I have a different VPI 'table (Classic, which is no longer made as far as I know) in large part because, once set up properly, you don't have to fiddle with it.
Cartridge: Lyra. All day. I have the Delos, their entry-level and it is fantastic. Folks that know a lot more than me have written comparisons and said Lyra blows away Koetsu. If you can stretch for the Kleos at $3.7k, even better.
Phono stage: Pretty much a matter of synergy with what you have. I wanted tubes in my vinyl signal path, and picked an Audio Research PH-5, which has been a trooper. But there are lots of good phono stages in the $2.5k-$3.5k range, from Parasound to Herron Audio to VTL to … oh, how I lust for new Boulder at $5k, tube comments not withstanding.
Cables: important, but less so than the other elements in the chain, assuming you maintain a certain level of quality.
The prices I've quoted are new. If you could find "gently used," you might do even better.
Happy listening,
Turntable: VPI Prime ($4k-4.5k) Full disclosure: I have a different VPI 'table (Classic, which is no longer made as far as I know) in large part because, once set up properly, you don't have to fiddle with it.
Cartridge: Lyra. All day. I have the Delos, their entry-level and it is fantastic. Folks that know a lot more than me have written comparisons and said Lyra blows away Koetsu. If you can stretch for the Kleos at $3.7k, even better.
Phono stage: Pretty much a matter of synergy with what you have. I wanted tubes in my vinyl signal path, and picked an Audio Research PH-5, which has been a trooper. But there are lots of good phono stages in the $2.5k-$3.5k range, from Parasound to Herron Audio to VTL to … oh, how I lust for new Boulder at $5k, tube comments not withstanding.
Cables: important, but less so than the other elements in the chain, assuming you maintain a certain level of quality.
The prices I've quoted are new. If you could find "gently used," you might do even better.
Happy listening,