Feickert Volare + Shick 9 + Hana Umami Red

Definitely upgrading the IsoAcoustics ZaZen platform that I currently use. Looking at the Delos. But I'm wide open to suggestions on the best iso platform. Comments welcome.

As for upgrading the phonostage, I'm looking into a Manley, but not rushing it. The Sutherland sounds amazing for a $900 phonostage. Punches way above its price. But I agree it's not an endgame phonostage and is the weakest link in the chain at this point. 

Great choice. I had two Volares with different arms then moved to the Woodpecker. The Volare is a really good table. I did have some problems with isolation on my table, it would pickup from a nearby sub and I spent a lot of time figuring out how best to isolate it. Yeah, I could have moved the sub, but my previous table worked just fine in the same spot.

In the end some basic rubber shims helped, along with my SRA iso platform. I'd a dialogue with Chris Feickert and he recommended the shims. More info here if anyone needs it: https://www.audioresurgence.com/2019/07/dr-feickert-volare-turntable-review.html

@jkirsch 

I found Herbie Soft Fat Dot equally effective in isolating Turntable’s. I used them under my SME15. 

https://herbiesaudiolab.com/collections/component-isolation

I’ve decided to swap the Shick tonearm for the Kuzma Stogi 9 in. gimbaled tonearm. I figure why not. If I ever upgrade the Volare, I’ll keep the Hana Red cart and Kuzma tonearm and use them for the new table. Next on the list is upgrading the phonostage. My Sutherland is fantastic but this rig probably needs a phonostage in the $3k range.

Cost is not necessarily a guideline to sound quality in any aspect of this hobby. Try to audition a couple of different phono stages before making your decision.