goheelz You are correct in your assessment. The VPI is a superior table to the Vinyl Nirvana Thorens table in my opinion, although the Thorens is nothing to complain about. I bought the Thorens for use in the basement in my recent house for a dedicated 2 channel system to listen to while playing pool. I like it so much it warrants some improvement. The VPI was attached to a different AV receiver in the old house which was far superior in 2 channel mode than what I replaced it with in the new house. That amp will be upgraded at some point and one of my turntables will potentially be returned to that system.
I will be running both tables and will leave the Thorens alone and use it in the Outlaw’s phono stage and run the VPI with a phono stage. I’ll buy the phono stage before I purchase a new cartridge. I’m thinking I may want a little more phono stage than the Mani but I could be wrong. I plan on gradual improvements in equipment in this system. For the short term just improving the VPI end is on deck. Any other recommendations on phono stage or do you think the Mani is enough? I did some quick research on the JTLi recommended by “chakster” and it seems worthwhile. It is quite a bit more money though and I could invest in speakers sooner spending less than something in the $1000 or on vinyl maintenance items like a record cleaner, stylus cleaner and anti static equipment.
I will be running both tables and will leave the Thorens alone and use it in the Outlaw’s phono stage and run the VPI with a phono stage. I’ll buy the phono stage before I purchase a new cartridge. I’m thinking I may want a little more phono stage than the Mani but I could be wrong. I plan on gradual improvements in equipment in this system. For the short term just improving the VPI end is on deck. Any other recommendations on phono stage or do you think the Mani is enough? I did some quick research on the JTLi recommended by “chakster” and it seems worthwhile. It is quite a bit more money though and I could invest in speakers sooner spending less than something in the $1000 or on vinyl maintenance items like a record cleaner, stylus cleaner and anti static equipment.