Upgrade My Turntable - How Much Do I Need to Spend?

I wouldn’t call myself an analog expert, but I did start on a Pro-ject debut carbon evo. I upgraded to a Sumiko moonstone cartridge, aluminum sub platter, and acrylic platter ; all plaster very minimal sonic improvement . I found a used entry level VPI Cliffwood turntable with an ATvm90ml cartridge for $700 locally and I immediately noticed the sonic difference. More definition, punch, alive… whatever you call it, so more engaging. The plinth, platter (heavier) and tonearm (longer) are also more substantial, so that made me a believer in mass and better tonearms. The cartridge also made a difference, but more so on the better turntable after trying switching it out. If I knew all this then, I would get a VPI prime 21, or better yet, to get more out of my budget, buy used VPI prime super scout or VPI primes that  I’ve seen on sale.

I see a used VPI super prime scout for $2600 and a used VPI prime for $3200

About isolation. Another opinion.

It depends on where you live and where your turntable will go. I live far from main roads, far from rail, my foundation is on granite, and my TT connects directly to the foundation. I don't need isolation - you may not need it either. Good luck !

@hikerneil 

Just out of curiosity, what is there to prevent you from listening to an entire album that you have ripped to your server?

at any rate, although a starter level table would not be commensurate with the quality of the rest of your system, I would recommend going the entry level route as you are relatively new to analog.  It’s possible that once the reality of short playing times, surface noise, the necessity to clean records, etc, hits, the novelty of vinyl might wear thin and you might be stuck with an expensive piece of gear that is rarely used.  If on the other hand you really enjoy the experience and want to go further it is easier to upgrade 

Unfortunately Energy as endlessly being transferred, the notion that a TT can be placed on typical support structure and not be impacted on by energy transferral is notion that is for myself very hard to take on board.

A TT can be placed upon many surfaces and deliver a sound that many will be impressed by.

A TT can be placed on a surface/surfaces that are being used as part of a specific design to enhance the interface of the Styli in the Groove. It is when the correct combination/permutation of materials are discovered, that work as a betterment for the support method within unique environments, that a TT can present in a manner that creates the perception improvements to the Sound Quality are being generated.  

There has been much discussion on this in various threads, where simplistic and affordable to advanced and very expensive methods to improve a TT in use are made known. 

@hikerneil I suggest that the TT in use at present is kept in use for an extended period and is set up on a support structure that has the design in place to assist with Isolation. The learning is not a one shot experience, the learning comes through trialling and training oneself to discover where the improvements are noticeable.

There may be plenty of discoveries that are influential and may encourage the present TT to be kept on in use.

Alternatively, a New TT, will be a TT mounted on a support that will have the potential to enable it to punch above its weight.