Upgrade from VPI HW-19 Mark IV turntable

ROTF/LMAO!

I hope after two years he has made a decision! If not he must be very cautious consumer!

I concur - keep the MK IV and upgrade the arm, then get an SDS on there and you will have a rig you can hold on to for life.

I have the same MkIV table with the Eminent Technology linear track air bearing tonearm that I would recommend on any table. I am content that the table is a great value & you would be better off pursuing a tonearm upgrage rather than starting from scratch. My setup isn't going anywhere. For what it's worth, my best upgrade after this purchase was my ARC PH-5 tube phono stage. The veil has lifted!

Get rid of that MMT arm. I used that with a MK3 before I upgraded to a SME 309,apples and oranges!

The VPI H-19 MkIV is an excellent high value table. There still exist some additional updates that could further improve your table. 1) Sorbothane suspension 2) SDS motor controller, 3) Platter upgrades. As you have already pointed out, a tonearm upgrade would also yield sonic benefits.

Another option would be to sell the table and purchase a used VPI Classic. You have a good table.

If you like the overall sound upgrade the arm.

Keep the Mark IV, it's one of the best turntables VPI ever made. I think you would have to spend way above your budget to get better and any of the models you mention would IMHO, be a backward step.
The Mark IV warrants a much better arm. I once had a Mark III and going from a Rega arm to an SME V made a huge difference.
Maybe look for a used Graham 2.2 ..... even a Mk1 Phantom might be had within your budget as would an SME-V. I've seen Basis Vector arms for sale for about $1500 (I bought one!) and at that price you get a real bargain. Basis arms can be a bit tricky to set up on non Basis turntables however.

I think a turntable in the 2000 range with arm and cartridge would probably be a step down. I would definitely look into replacing the arm. The Audiomods is a steal for its performance. An SME 309 also works well on your table. Either can be purchased for less than $1500