i've never heard the aries/jmw. but, from comments, & having heard a vpi mk-iv, i can't imagine ewe woodn't like the sound. i have an old oracle, updated to all mk-v specs, except the mootor/power supply. i felt a much more cost-effective upgrade here would be the origin-live motor/power-suply upgrade, so i went that route. same w/the tonearm - the o-l modified rega rb-250 is even better than their modified rb900 - this is according to o-l. and, even a stock rb900 is a great arm.
i love the sound of my oracle - it sounded great even before all the upgrades, now i can't imagine ever being able to afford to better it in any meaningful way. budget *is* important to me - my 'table, w/all the updates & o-l mods, has set me back ~$1800...
doug s.