Turntable Upgrade

" no true wrong answers here. "

Agreed.

If anything, the OP might learn of a particular choices' strength/weakness and make the choice on what brand/model will fit the bill.

If VPI is chosen, I'd look at used-there's always good deals in the listings.

Longtime Classic user. VPI ISN'T without its share of shortcomings(in reference to "next level table") but when setup properly it will give a decent slice of SOTA for not too much cash outlay.

VPI Classic 3 TurnTable & 10.5" JMW Memori... For Sale | Audiogon

VPI Industries Classic 2 For Sale | Audiogon

If you were looking for an endgame with a wider wallet, this negotiated for a lower price is what I would go for

VPI Industries HW-40 Limited Edition For Sale | Audiogon

Put a $3-5K cart on an be done with turntable insanity!

The "problem" with something like this, you could get used to performance, and be curious about the "next level"(there ALWAYS is) and now you're too far gone...

I think VTA on-the-fly is overrated. I had that on my Clearaudio Ovation and found I never used it if I wanted to listen to music. When I upgraded to a Clearaudio Innovation I didn't bother getting the arm board that supports fitting the Clearaudio VTALifter2 (i.e. on-the-fly adjustment) I still have.

The thing is lathes that cut lacquers for LPs aren't even consistent enough to make dynamic VTA useful, unless you plan to set it by ear for every record before playing the record (yeah, that's as painful as it sounds).

The Clearaudio Concept supports adjusting VTA statically when changing cartridges. It's a matter of loosening the bolt that locks the tonearm in the armboard.

I had a VPI Prime with the 3D Unipivot are and HATED it.  I hated it so much that for a year I never used it or played vinyl.  I traded it in on a Technics SL 1200G turntable and never looked back.  I now play more vinyl than CD’s. The VTA on the fly was a PIA to use as if I did it while the record was playing, the crappy VPI unipivot arm would move or tilt towards one side.  Was no fun at all. 

If it's between VIP and Technics, I'd choose VIP 150 times out of 100.

Thanks all. Yeah, I've heard about the Unipivot tonearm causing some frustration. I'd do the gimballed that should help with that wobbling. Used TTs are tempting but I think I'll stick with new and have a trial period. I'd want to hear how it sounds with my equipment in my room. I don't imagine I'll use the VTA on the fly other than a couple of times, at setup. So maybe that feature isn't so important. That said, I've been leaning VPI, haven't heard anything compelling to push me elsewhere, Unipivot aside.