Where is the significant point of diminishing returns on hi-end turntable?

The question was "What's the point of diminishing returns"? And then he mentions 25K; well it's long before you get to 25K for people with the bucks, who can see down the road. If the question had been what's the ultimate rig, that would have been a horse of a different color.

I think there are a lot of good responses as far as a top flight simple rig is concerned; the SME-20 was a good example.

When the OP went from his original question to 25K, that changed everything, because that's way past "diminishing returns" and that is what everybody is telling him, but if he's got 25K to blow, let the good times roll.

Orpheus: When the OP went from his original question to 25K, that changed everything, because that’s way past "diminishing returns"

This is a fine point, orpheus. You presented your perspective on the question he raised. For you, $25k is already past the point of diminishing returns. Okay, that’s one experience and value proposition. It wouldn’t be mine; it’s clearly not the OP’s.

More importantly, though, is the BASIS on which we each evaluate and determine the point of diminishing return.

There clearly is no absolute monetary figure. As in so much of the investment we each make in our audio systems, we are dealing with: 1) what differences do we hear, 2) do we consider the differences material GIVEN OUR LISTENING PRIORITIES (which are different for each of us), 3) how much enjoyment do we anticipate from that difference we’ve identified, 4) what discretionary budget do we have available, and 5) to what alternate use would we put that discretionary budget and how do we value that alternate use?

To simply state a monetary figure just means that FOR US this is the figure at or beyond which we’ve answered items 1-5. In the OP’s situation, he answered these items with a pretty clear determination that he was okay with this discretionary budget figure at 25k - all 5 questions were answered to his satisfaction.

The implicit question was "Will I find a similar compelling rational to move to an even higher expenditure if I had the opportunity to hear something even better than I’ve heard thus far?" Seems to me that this answer is different for different people; there are only factors to be weighed not proscriptions.

Great posts and I missed the fact that he has 5K of LPs so shame on me for my post.  With this updated information, my best suggestion would be for him to contact my pal A. J. Conti at Basis and get his recommendations.  Whether he will need to sell one or more of his Porsches to acquire his ultimate analogue rig is a decision he will have to wrestle with as there is no set point when we are considering the law of diminishing returns.   On the other hand, the Orbit Basic TT might be all he needs.   Just my take as a guy who has moved on from vinyl.    

Whitestix, I regret to have to tell you but AJ Conti passed away recently. See:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1188155424599920&id=179180802164059

Basis will continue but we have lost a terrific audio designer. I agree that he developed some excellent turntables and tonearms.

For me It's simple.
When the system disappears, And all your left with is a band playing 
You have arrived.

All you need is the right combination. The room itself needs to be soft. Clap and if you hear an echo it's not a good thing. I have an Audire Crescendo which which cost me $500 which I would recommend. They usually run around a grand.
   It's like owning a super car. If you buy a super car because you don't know what to do with all of your money. Then buy a super car. On the other hand if you take out a loan to buy a super car you are a fool.
   If I was to put a cap on it. I'd say you could reach the minimum requirements for a audiophile system for as little as $4000-$5000 bucks. But at that range it has to be a passion where your constantly buying and selling older used stuff to compare.

Happy listening