Project Xtension 12 or VPI Classic 3

I had exension, and very familiar with vpi, also very familiar with the cartridges. INMHO Cadenza Black is better then Sumiko. Extension is very good tt, but classic 3 is better. Classic 3 + Benz Lp would be a killer deal in my opinion, but vpi+cadenza is also a good deal. Do not need to wonder why I choose vpi and ortofon, it is not about a better soundstage or silky highs, vpi&ortofon simply better.

Zd542 i heard both tt in same system, but sadly not in same time. At most 1 month distance between demos. System was ; yg anat professional speaker, ar ref 5(maybe se), ar ref 610, transperent ref cables(mm or mm2 not sure), ar ref 2 phono. Both tt had ortofon jubilee and benz lp cartridges. Inmho Vpi classic was better in every way, again imho benz had a better chemistry with vpi and ar phono. Also i used Extension, i cant say anything bad for the price/performance or building quality, but simply classic 3 is better. Of course i am doing this comparing with an assumption that extension has the project 12" tone arm. If you mount an ikeda 407 things may change, i do not know.

Better is simply better, no personal tastes involved. Also why it has to ? As an audiophile, we should not look for our personal tastes in music reproduction, we should have to look for best possible life like music reproduction, and at his point of view, classic 3 is better then extension, in any system and for any hearing capable human being.

Jmcgrogan2 there were some truth in your statement like mine. If you need a two person and a blind test to understand extension vs classic 3 i consider this is a lack of experience. If you cannot decide a continuum caliburn or airforce one is better, thats the time when your statement has truth. Some components are not in the same league for lots of reasons, some components are in the same league and yes better is very subjective.

Also this hobby is very dependent on money. Yes you may not get the best result throwing money around, but you cannot get best result with 500 usd.

Many things can be spoken about this hobby, many statements and counter arguments can be made, but the result is same, classic3 is better then extension.

Jmcgrogan2 i wish u a very happy new year. I am old enough to avoid meaningless arguments. If you say that better lie in a subjective devision, so be it. But really consider 4 vs 6 means %50 different, which is a mathemetical fact. But if u say it is subjective, also fine. I wish u a pleasent 2014....

Yes it is copper and creating the first magical and musical moments of 2014 by bringing Anna(opera star) to our home...:)