$5k Upgrade

I own a WT Versalex/ DV XV1s and rate it highly. I went from a fully rigged up Linn LP12 and wouldn't want to go back to it. The new WT 400 Royale is fantastic. The best turntable I've heard by a street...

I did end up getting a well tempered amadeus II, a EMT TSD15 which is being run through an Auditorium SUT (DL103 version) into MM phono on Shindo Auriges Pre-Amp.  It is definitely a different presentation, much quieter background, more dynamic than the clearaudio.  The ZYX Airy 3 (which I also ran on this table) seems to have better detail but the EMT is better in mids and bass and more enjoyable overall.  I would love to try the higher ZYX carts but I think that this price point is as high as I go on the cartridge side.  

I hadn't kept up with the new WT Royale, looks very intriguing.  The likely upgrades that I will consider is going up in the shindo chain, massetto, and likely get the new Auditorium SUT built specifically for the EMT TSD15.  

The Royale looks interesting for sure. I listened to a few turntables this year, but eventually put the money in to a different system upgrade. I will continue to listen, but Mr. Firebaugh really has designed a special product. To my ears, some of the tables I heard lost the tonality of the WTL.

OP-

start w/ a pre-amp.

You might want to consider cleaning your records with an ultrasonic record cleaner. I built my own, for less than $5k, around an 80KHz German commercial unit (Elmasonic). Cleaning records at 50C and multiple rinses get me as much more music as a major component upgrade. And it's not exactly bad for the stylus, either (pay for itself? perhaps). Look up the ultrasonic thread on DIYAUDIO.