Mark, I'd probably spring for a better tonearm first, since any serious cartridge upgrade will likely be limited by the PT-7 (which I think is a Jelco design). Since you already have a VPI, maybe you could add a JMW? I see that there are two JMW 10 versions available now on Audiogon in the 700-buck range, and there is a 12.6 advertised for 1100.
This will almost certainly give you improved sound from your Glider, and will also be a better platform for future cartridge upgrades. Moving to a better cartridge now will give you better sound, but the extent of the improvement will be limited by the PT-7, and that limitation will still be there when you want to make subsequent cartridge upgrades.
As long as you use a RCM and also are gentle when you lower the cartridge's cantilever onto the LP surface (and the anti-skate setting doesn't unduly bias the cantilever), your Glider should be good for at least 1500 ~ 2000 hours.
hth, jonathan carr
This will almost certainly give you improved sound from your Glider, and will also be a better platform for future cartridge upgrades. Moving to a better cartridge now will give you better sound, but the extent of the improvement will be limited by the PT-7, and that limitation will still be there when you want to make subsequent cartridge upgrades.
As long as you use a RCM and also are gentle when you lower the cartridge's cantilever onto the LP surface (and the anti-skate setting doesn't unduly bias the cantilever), your Glider should be good for at least 1500 ~ 2000 hours.
hth, jonathan carr