End Game Turntable suggestions

Congratulations. Sounds like you made a great upgrade. Pooh, of course now you must now upgrade your streaming to match your vinyl system. 
 

I am happily at parody between the two… thinking of an upgrade to my turntable. 

OP,

I look forward to hearing your decision.

I commented earlier, but not on what I did. I had a VPI that I loved for over 20 years.

I retired, and realized I had an opportunity to upgrade… as I was upgrading the rest of my system. I did the kind of survey you are. While I looked and compared contemporary turntables and higher end VPIs. I got really interested in Linn… for its simplicity, history and contemporary performance. The more I read and researched the more I realized that contemporary performance was available with a really attractive, elegant, small footprint turntable with a wonderful history and upgradabilty.

I have really enjoyed it. I enjoyed its performance so much, I was drawn to upgrade sub-component after sub-component. While I started at the mid-level turntable… I upgraded it to very close to the top level. It has been a constant source of enjoyment over the last three years.

This is not a pitch for Linn. But for the enjoyment of reaching for your dreams. For experiencing really top level performance in something you really love. It doesn’t happen often. Enjoy.

I noticed you put new speakers in there. While there are no set rules.. there are some really useful generalities. This particular one I fell into very quickly many decades ago… speakers first.

If you think about them as the most sensitive and important instrument with which you judge your components… it has to be first. A new set of speakers will set the stage for evaluating anything you put into your system.

Let’s say speakers present sound differently and better ones are more resolving.. Then if you get your final turntable, or DAC or whatever… then upgrade your speakers… suddenly all sorts of nuances you were unaware of come to light… suddenly your system doesn’t sound right and you have to start swapping upstream components.

It is just a lot safer and less expensive to start with a speaker upgrade. Then survey your system for weaknesses… so, for instance your preamp could be the next weakness (and effects all components). If that is up to par… then I would think the Phonostage or Turntable could be your next concern. But it is appropriate that your phono stage is a similar investment level to your Turntable or you are not likely getting the best out of your Turntable.

OP,

I think you have a great question. Given the high quality of your other equipment, I think you are correct in really giving it some thought. 
 

Are you at all drawn to traditional high end? Sota and Linn can offer contemporary performance with tradition. Alternatively, you can go more contemporary. Then there is sprung vs massive tables  that tend to have a characteristic sound. Also, given the quality of your other components… I am not sure your budget is a bit small. If you really want a spectacular table, I would recommend something in the $10K range. Sorry, I’ll have to revisit your speakers. 
 

Anyway, your thoughts on your inclinations?