Your choice - TT, Arm, Stage, Cartridge - $5000 budget

Alright, I'll play....for $5K

***VPI Prime table with 3D arm - used - $2500
(I've seen one sitting on USAM for over a month at $2800, so I figure you can get it shipped to you for $2500.)

*** Art Audio Vinyl Reference phono preamp - used $1600
(listed on USAM for $1895, probably can be yours for $1600)

*** Audio-Technica AT-ART9 phono cartridge - NEW from LP Gear $999.
I don't recommend buying used cartridges.


Yeah, I went over by $100, but maybe you can get another $100 off the VPI or AAVR.

Sit back and enjoy the tunes......

Cheers,
John

jmcgrogan2, could you describe the sound of the Allnic?

Natural, well balanced. Not overly warm and tubey sounding, but no sense of edginess or harshness. Not overly warm, or transparent, just relaxed, and natural sounding.

Do you still use VAC Sigma amp?

No. I am now running a ARC Ref 5 preamp with Pass Labs XA-100.5 monoblock amps with my Allnic H1201 phono stage.

Anyone have experience with the Allnic H-1201?

Yes, I own one. Very nice phono stage.
I would have recommended it had your budget been $6-7K.

I see that dealer just lowered his asking price on the VPI Prime from $2800 to $2500. I don't expect that to last long.

http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649369475-vpi-prime-turntable-like-new/

I own a VPI Prime, I also own a Ortofon Cadenza Bronze. Though the Bronze cartridge has very good reviews, it was not the best of combination with the VPI Prime, IMHO.
Not for technical reasons, VPI recommends cartridges with compliance > 10, and weight > 7 grams, the Bronze checks both of those boxes.

No, the reason I didn't think they were the best mates is the Bronze is a pretty warm sounding cartridge, and VPI tables are a bit on the warm side.
I found the combination too warm for my tastes.
That is why many who own VPI tables like Lyra and Dynavector cartridges, as they are more dynamic and revealing.
A Cadenza Black may be more suitable for the Prime.

Also, I'm not sure buying it to try it is a good idea either. You will be lucky to get $1200 on the used market for a Bronze. Which means you would still be out at least $400 if paying $1600.
The Bronze would make a good mate with another table, perhaps a Basis, which are more transparent than VPI tables.

That's just my $0.02.

So you weren't the biggest fan of the Cadenza bronze? Have you tried any other carts on your Prime?

I'm currently using a Transfiguration Phoenix S which I am pretty happy with, but out of your range at this time.

That being said,I still don't know how I feel about buying carts on the used market.

I've never recommended buying a used cartridge. You would have to know and trust the seller very much to do this.
I'm fine with used turntables, phono stages, etc., but if you read my first post, I recommended buying the cartridge new.

My first post on this thread:

Alright, I'll play....for $5K

***VPI Prime table with 3D arm - used - $2500
(I've seen one sitting on USAM for over a month at $2800, so I figure you can get it shipped to you for $2500.)

*** Art Audio Vinyl Reference phono preamp - used $1600
(listed on USAM for $1895, probably can be yours for $1600)

*** Audio-Technica AT-ART9 phono cartridge - NEW from LP Gear $999.
I don't recommend buying used cartridges.


Yeah, I went over by $100, but maybe you can get another $100 off the VPI or AAVR.

Sit back and enjoy the tunes......

Cheers,
John