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.
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.