Your choice - TT, Arm, Stage, Cartridge - $5000 budget

So you weren't the biggest fan of the Cadenza bronze? Have you tried any other carts on your Prime?

I'm currently using a Transfiguration Phoenix S which I am pretty happy with, but out of your range at this time.

That being said,I still don't know how I feel about buying carts on the used market.

I've never recommended buying a used cartridge. You would have to know and trust the seller very much to do this.
I'm fine with used turntables, phono stages, etc., but if you read my first post, I recommended buying the cartridge new.

My first post on this thread:

Alright, I'll play....for $5K

***VPI Prime table with 3D arm - used - $2500
(I've seen one sitting on USAM for over a month at $2800, so I figure you can get it shipped to you for $2500.)

*** Art Audio Vinyl Reference phono preamp - used $1600
(listed on USAM for $1895, probably can be yours for $1600)

*** Audio-Technica AT-ART9 phono cartridge - NEW from LP Gear $999.
I don't recommend buying used cartridges.


Yeah, I went over by $100, but maybe you can get another $100 off the VPI or AAVR.

Sit back and enjoy the tunes......

Cheers,
John

"That being said,I still dont know how I feel about buying carts on the used market. Seems like a great way to save some cash if the situation is reasonable. Dealers, low use, well maintained, etc."

whacky-
In most cases, I've read positive outcome regarding used carts. Whatever phono stage you end up using, the Cadenza seems to be popular regardless of paper specs indicating otherwise.

Being out of major acquisition mode, it appears there are great deals out there. More quality choices  than when I did the  jump to "proper"  gear.

Yes it is somewhat dicey buying used. My suggestions are. 

1. Buy from someone with many sales and excellent feedback. 
2. I would not buy an MC over $700 used. Its just too big of a risk. You have to figure out what your risk level amount 
3. If the say it has 600 hours or more pass
3. I think soundsmith would work well with your system I know it will work well with the prime/arm combo. 

I bought a SS Aida for under half of retail. I can get it re-tippped for $350.00. Its a $1900 cart retail. Even if it needs to be rebuilt after say a year you still got an amazing deal. They don't really go bad...... I guess unless you take it apart or smash it.

who knows if you would like the sound. Its very dynamic, smooth and musical. Not as detailed as some MC carts like the Lyra but it has a more full sound  The SS highs might not pop as much as MC but its a very balanced sound. 

Dynavector's work very well with VPI. I like their house sound. I find Soundsmith more neutral, Slightly more detail and a fuller sound. Dyanvector is a musical cart but I find Sound smith more musical 

The Lyra that I heard was very detailed. Leaner than Dyanvector and way more so than SS. More detail and resolution with a more analytical type sound IMO. 

Used does increase your performance ratio per dollar but comes with risk. SS Carts take some of that away. But carts are very personnel. Someone could come along and totally disagree with my thoughts on these carts and they would not be wrong. Just their ears vs mine. 

Ok, my bad.....I thought he was including the cartridge for a total of 1600, not adding 1600 to the cost. I think this cartridge is just over 2000 new. I would not lay that down unless I heard it personally, which I haven't. 

I'm running an zyx r100h on a tweaked out hw19 mkiii and it is killing me on how good it sounds.

I'm not sure how a Denon 103 sounds on a VPI arm but you might try a hot rod 103 out during the time you are looking for a higher end cartridge. You never know, you may find that the Denon delivers what you are looking for. Don't let the low price fool you. Magic happened when Denon made this cartridge and none of their others meet the same level of sonic satisfaction imo. Although, I've never heard the S1.

Go new with the whole thing set up including MC cartridge. If you have not set up a table before, you will have to buy additional gear for that. This way you got a plug and play guarantee.


                https://hifibuys.com/store/rega-rp8-turntable/dp/6701

This leaves a few dollars, but not enough for phono pre; you will have to add a few for that, but this is no hassle.