Suggest Table and cartridge for my system

My buddy actually has a clearaudio emaotion table. He is waiting on a new cartridge. Once he receives it I will see if I can bring it over and give it a listen in my system. Thanks for the suggestion.

Anyone else, I don't mind buying used if I get a substantially better player for the money. I may be upgrading my speakers in the next few months so I want this purchase to be able to grow with me.

Ok. I have narrowed my choices down to the VPI Scout or Michell Technodec. I will most likely go with a Sumiko Blackbird cart. Now since I am a complete analog newbie, I am not sure what type of phono pre I should be looking at. I would like something that will be plug and play with my Rogue Tempest and allow me the flexibility to try different cartridges down the line. I would also like to keep the preamp less than $700 and used from the Gon is fine. I am still trying to get a grasp on matching the gain and impedances of the pre to the cart(hoping this will make more sense once I have a pre and cart in hand with manuals). Also will my Tempest play a role in what preamp I should be choosing? Can I just plug the preamp into the phono jacks on the back of the Tempest or should I use the Aux jacks? Sorry for the stupid questions, just trying to figure this all out.

Dan_Ed,

I did talk with Mark at Rogue and he thought the Rogue Stealth would be a good option. I just want to make sure I don't totally skimp on the preamp and than decide I want something better down the road. I plan on keeping what ever table-pre combo I choose for a while. I may upgrade my speakers next though and want this combo to be able to grow with me. Have not been able to find many reviews on the Rogue Stealth.

Piedpiper,

Thank you very much for the info and suggestions. I could proabably go up to $800-900 on the used market.

any thoughts on the Primare R20?

Carter9000,

I am leaning towards the VPI at this point. I am actually upset with myself because I was a little too late on a VPI Scout and a Michell Technodec in the sales corner :( At this point which ever comes up first for a good deal in the sales corner is what I will most likely go with. There is a local shop I am probably going to pay a visit this week to listen to the VPI. I will let you know what I decide and my opinions etiher way.

Now I just need to decide on a phono pre??

I am also tinkering with trying to upgrade my Proac Response 2 monitors......which may be hard to do with the funds I will have available.

Carter9000,

I have not had a chance to go yet as I got side tracked..... and bought some GMA Callisto's and a pair of Odyssey Lorelei's to a/b against each other. My Proacs have since been put up for sale. The Lorelei's are due on Monday so once I figure out what is going on speaker wise I will get back to my analog hunt.

Please report back with your auditions of the two tables if you get a chance.

Thanks!