Help completing vinyl front end.

i agree with the advice on new vs. used cartridges but disagree on the tt choice. i've had several vpi 'tables, including the hw-19 ( model II, as i recollect) and the tnt III. IMHO, the comparably-priced basis 'tables are sonically superior to the vpi's. they have better bearings and are machined to much tighter tolerances. most importantly, the basis' are quieter, in my experience, than like-priced vpi's. like bruce, i recommend benz cartridges or, even moreso, koetsu, depending on what portion of your budget you plan to put toward the smallest component. BTW, i think that harry weisfeld is one of the true gentlemen in the audio industry. i hope that someday soon he and his wife will grace the halls of ces once again.

I agree with the VPI recommendation. I have a 19 Mk. IV and I am very happy with it. The Aries is also a good choice as well as the Basis. If you watch the used listings you can probably get into a TNT or a upper level Basis. Either is a fine choice. Good Luck, Doug

Considering how much you put into the phono stage, my guess is that one of the more expensive cartridge would be in order. You should try to demo as many as possible, since they all sound great, but they also all sound different!

As far as 'tables are concerned, I really feel that you can do much better than the HW-19s. In general, the fit and finish of VPI products leaves something to be desired. I recently replaced a JMW10 and an HW-19 with a Kuzma 'table. The difference in quality is evident both in the finish and in the sound. The Kuzma is so much quieter, and SO much better looking! The VPIs, to me, look like something a non-engineering type person would come up with. The Basis 'tables are so obviously better in the same ways as the Kuzmas.

Good luck, and keep it fun!

i like all the 'tables mentioned above, but for the money, i tink the oracle is the best deal going - fantastic performance, fantastic appearance. perhaps i mite trade mine on a jc verdier - if i win the lottery, or something! :>) meantime, my turntable-shopping days are over.

there was a mk-ll version f/s cheap on audioreview recently; update it to mkv, along w/an ol motor/power-supply, & use the money saved for a spendy cartridge...

also, nuttin' wrong w/buyin' a used cartridge, if ewe can trust the seller, imho - perhaps best to stick w/a dealer?

good luck, doug

I have to second Cornfed, I've settled on a Basis table and am quite happy. Extremely well built, simple yet elegant and fabulous sonics. Something like the 2000 or 2001 would leave room for an outstanding cart choice and still allow you remain within your chosen budget limitations.