bobbydd,
Last year, I wrestled with the same dilemma. I considered the Clearaudio Performance w/arm, the EAT C-Sharp (w/carbon fiber arm), The Dr Feickert Volare w/arm and commensurate cartridges. I had settled on a budget of around $5K. I read everything I could find on all three, and visited local audio shops to view the tables and seek their advice. I could easily have lived with any of the three tables.
I can’t tell you which one to choose, but I can tell you what I did. Finally, I found a nice vintage audiophile turntable being showcased by a local audio shop. It included a Benz Micro Reference MC cartridge (that alone would be half of my budget). Obviously, both had some miles but both were set up and ready for audition. I was pleased with the sound and, together with with a new step-up transformer, came in right at my budget. At my age, this is likely to be my last turntable.
Last year, I wrestled with the same dilemma. I considered the Clearaudio Performance w/arm, the EAT C-Sharp (w/carbon fiber arm), The Dr Feickert Volare w/arm and commensurate cartridges. I had settled on a budget of around $5K. I read everything I could find on all three, and visited local audio shops to view the tables and seek their advice. I could easily have lived with any of the three tables.
I can’t tell you which one to choose, but I can tell you what I did. Finally, I found a nice vintage audiophile turntable being showcased by a local audio shop. It included a Benz Micro Reference MC cartridge (that alone would be half of my budget). Obviously, both had some miles but both were set up and ready for audition. I was pleased with the sound and, together with with a new step-up transformer, came in right at my budget. At my age, this is likely to be my last turntable.