Turntable Upgrade Advice

@dodgealum with the origin live silver, it comes in at $3995 new, which is a fair amount less than the other options I listed above. Is it a significant step above the clearaudio concept? 

@elliottbnewcombjr I will consider lightly used (in fact, I typically search used before buying new), but not looking to buy vintage. I lack the ability or tools to deal with repairing or restoring them. I would prefer to buy with an arm already installed, if at all possible, as well. Just depends on how good the deal is though. I'd be willing to figure out the install if I could get a really great deal, but just prefer not to since I don't know what I am doing!

I don't typically have a need for multiple arms or cartridges, and prefer things to be minimal fuss. Would it be ideal to listen to mono albums with a mono cartridge? Sure, probably. Just not really something I personally care about right now. I'm kind of a set it and forget it person when it comes to tables, so I usually just run one cartridge and arm.

I definitely appreciate effort involved with all of that though!

@vinylshadow yeah, it definitely looks like the sovereign is the one to get doing some quick research. With the origin live silver tonearm, it looks like it would run about $9500 - just converting from GBP, but usually there is a markup for imported products, so I'd probably expect over $10k. I'll have to keep an eye on the used market to see if I can find one a little closer to my budget, if this is one I decide to go for. 

@vinylshadow I have. The Resolution and Sovereign models seem pretty nice, but I can only find one dealer in the US that sells them online and they are pretty barebones with no descriptions or data or info on what comes with them (if anything). I'm assuming these are sold without arms, which would put the Sovereign out of my price range, but the Resolution could be possible depending on arm choice. I just don't know much about them at all.

@mijostyn The Michell has been one of my favorites for a long time (I really like the orbe as well, but it approaches $8500 new with the TechnoArm, which is beyond what I'd be able to budget - however, it is one I'd also be considering used if at a good price). 

@dodgealum yes, definitely good points. I am slowly working through upgrading my entire system. Currently have a phonomena II+ but looking at a ModWright PH 9.0X as an upgrade (though I'm still debating a few options from the Gold note PH10, WhestTHREE, and the ModWright.

Definitely want to stick with MC carts - have used the Benz ACE in the past and now the Clearaudio Concept MC and they've both been considerably better than MM I've used in the past. I'd probably be looking at a Hana MC to pair with a new table - probably an M series ML to start, but depending on how my overall budget is looking, might go for an Umami Red, but that is considerably more expensive.

If anyone has any insight into the tables I listed originally, I'd love to hear some feedback on those.

@joey54 yeah, I've considered sticking with Clearaudio, but if I was going to do that, I'd want to at least go for the Innovation. I like the thicker platter on that one (and have heard on in person). Just comfortably outside my budget for now. 

@joenies The oracle mk VI is a real beauty. The hifi shop I used to go to a long time ago had a mk 1 in store and even that was really nice - though definitely showed its age. Love it, but they are way over my budget, especially once you factor in tonearm cost as well. Maybe one day!

As a quick note - I ended up picking up an Orbe with a Graham 2.2 arm on the used market - above my budget new, but under budget used! Too good to pass up, I thought. Should have it set up by this weekend. 

@rhg3 I picked up a Hana ML for it for now, since I'm upgrading from a Clearaudio Concept with Concept MC (which doesn't look like it would be a good pair with the arm on the orbe). I'd like to get an Umami red at some point, but one thing at a time.