Best table/arm/cartridge for $12K/ Dartzeel Preamp

I am considering a used table & arm combo, but for sure want a new cartridge.

I heard this combination today on a system I am very familier with. It would be at the top of your budget bought new, so not sure what you could save buying used.
VPI Aires III table/Dynavector 507 MKII arm/Dynavector XV-1s cartridge. sound was really good. I would think buying the table and arm used you could add the VPI SDS and ring and center clamp also. This rig was without the SDS.

VPI Aries 3 table, VPI mini super feet, center clamp with the Dynavector 507 MKII & Dynavector DV 17D3 w/SDS. I'm waiting on the ring.

It was actually setup Saturday morning. If I must say so myself it's a sweet sound and It looks like a nice piece of art. BTW it was less then $12k brand new.

Tom,

I wish I would have seen your thread about the Dnyavector DV 17D3 cartridge before I listen to the dealers recommendation. I think the 17D3 is the weak link in my analog setup. I'm not happy with this cartridge at all... Awesome turntable & tone-arm with a lack luster cartridge.

I knew I should have bit the bullet and listen to my first thought and went with the DV XX2 MKII or DV DRT XV-1s. If my dealer was smart he would take this cartridge back and allow me to upgrade.

These are the times when it's nice to have a good relationship with your local dealer. I talked with my dealer today regarding how dissatisfied I am with my current cartridge. He agreed to take my cartridge back and let me upgrade... That's cooler then the other side of the pillow.

Now my TT & tone-arm setup will be cooking with gas. :O)

Has anyone had any experience with the the Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua cartridge? How do you like sonically? Did it make you go "Wow"?

Thanks in advance.

Underdog
Nice system.

12 grand for a turntable, arm and cartridge.

I would give some serious thought for a TW Raven model one.
A new cartridge and a used arm, this is with in your budget.

Jonathan Valin of TAS has reveiwed the Raven AC model along side the mighty Walker Black Diamond with more to come in TAS.

Go to AV guide.com, click on forums, click on Turntables and related gear.
Click on ASS Gabriel Davinci turntable.

Valin has afew more comments on the Raven including talk about a shoot off with the Raven, Walker and Davinci tables soon.

More information on the TW Raven tables can be found at.

High Water Sound.com

Thanks for the responses. I was sold on a table that would've cost me more than 20 grand after tonearm and cartridge, but before pulling the trigger I found a great deal on my recently acquired Dynaudio Temptations. I am very happy with this purchase. I upgraded from the Dyn C-2's which I really enjoyed, but I knew eventually I would want to go up one notch to the world-class level. Since my second choice in tables ended up being the Sota Cosmos, I ended up ordering it with the Origin Live Conquest tonearm and Dynavector XV1s cartridge. I need to wait 6 weeks for delivery so in the meantime I will seek out the great vinyl recordings. Thanks again for the replies.

Dear Underdog: I know that you already made your choice about, a nice one but IMHO not the best from what you ask in the thread tittle: yes every one has a " best " one option.

Anyway, check this link:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1216926574

this TT IMHO is at least at the same level of the Cosmos and in some ways is a better performer but the interesting subject on the Micro Seiki combo is that comes with a very hard to find MAX 237 ( J shapped arm wand ) that it is ( IMHO ) ot only a betetr tonearm but a real user friendly item. For the asking price I think is a true bargain!!! and permit that you can buy not only one top cartridge but TWO!!!! or one like the Allaerts Finish Gold.

Well maybe some other time.

Regards and enoy the music.
Raul.