Jay the gimbaled reference arm is going for $2800 from what I was told. Before July 1 it was $2300. It looks like all tonearms went up $500.
With my discount I paid $2k.
You would pay $2500 with your discount now I think.
I've never had them set my cartridges up. Im hands on and really get into what could be considered the "frustrating stuff". They are aces over there though. When you put your mat in place (unless your going to use the stock felt mat) you just need to adjust the VTA tower either up or down to suit your taste or dial out sibilance. And that's if they used the stock mat.
I'll DM you Kats direct phone# if you want it. She will respond to your text.
I like to start with the head shell perfectly parralell to the record surface using a VTA guage on the record, stylus in the groove, then try adjusting between 30 and 50 lines at a time in either direction.
I found dropping the rear of the tonearm will smooth out the top end and give a little more bass response.
Raising the rear of the arm does the opposite
Recheck the VTF after adjusting VTA. Also check it occasionally as it may change a little as the cartridge suspension breaks in.
As far as the anti skate I have mine set to just start to move the weight at about 2/3 in (toward the spindel) on the record.
That translates to the tonearm staying still in the dead wax, until a run out groove catches it of course.
