Help me pick a phono, pre and cart

Yes, thats Nick. He can give you a good idea of the differences in sound between the VPI's and the Clearaudio's.

Clearaudio makes a number of good turntable depending upon your budget. Given your budget I would suggest the Clearaudio Performance DC turntable. Audio Connection can give you a discount on a cartridge as well if you buy it with your table and choose any cartridge that Musical Surrounding sells. If you go with the AT that probably won't apply.

The one thing I have learned is that you'll want a phono stage that is highly adjustable if you want to use a moving coil cartridge. Loading can make the difference in SQ. I was interested in the Ayre phono stage as well but it did not have the correct loading available for my AMG cartridge and I ended up with a Musical Surrounding Nova II. I would like to upgrade to the Aesthetix Rhea, eventually.

I have done a comparison between a VPI Prime, not the signature version, and the Clearaudio Performance DC in my home system and I preferred the Clearaudio. YMMV and I urge you to hear them both. Your listening priorities and mine may be different. For me the Clearaudio sounded much more natural however, they did not have the same cartridge on them so it really wasn't apples to apples. 

@jetson this is where I believe it is very necessary to have a trusting relationship with your dealer. Johnny R is IMO that kind of dealer - they disply the 7 and Richard who is a hyper fan of Vinyl stops by there and listens and they get great sound...
my Basis came thru him to @ctsooner ( Pete ) but you are on right track listening to it as a system there trying to discern one phono pre from another when most if not all the other gear changes is madness...

 

i can say the Delos into a NOVA II is quite sweet.....

@joey54 The adjustability is one of the main reasons I’m currently planning on the Herron VTPH-2A. When I spoke with Keith he said I probably wouldn’t need any loading plugs with the AT9. I’ll talk with Nick first and see what other carts he might recommend and be sure to talk with Keith Herron again. From what I have researched online any Basis is way outside my budget. 
@tomic601 I have spoken with @ctsooner(Pete) before. He was real helpful when I was looking at speakers (Vandy) and amps (Ayre). I’m unfamiliar with Delos and NOVA. I will give him a call. Thanks 

@jetson talk w Johnny R also
pretty sure he has the Etna Delos ( and way North of that ) and tge NOVA as it is in Musical Surroundings group - as is a table you are considering
i was advocating a used Basis, who knows Johnny is so plugged in he may have a line on one......
anyway
good hunting