I have what I call a 3.5 model. Heavy platter, squash balls from bladders from springs, SME-V, no flywheel and a SDS. I keep the tripod set-up as I believe it evens out bearing wear. The sound is weighty and full but not ponderous as some report. This is the only TNT I’ve heard so I can’t compare it to anything. I do have a Trans-FI air bearing linear tonearm on a different VPI and it competes easily with some of the best at a fraction of the cost. You might look into that is you feel the need to replace whatever comes on the table. It is about $1,000 last time I checked and the designer, Vic, is really great in his customer support.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y57/WntrMute2/photo-11a_zpsjvdghrdy.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y57/WntrMute2/photo-11a_zpsjvdghrdy.jpg