Brand new VPI Prime 21 or used Clearaudio Innovation compact


Newbie to vinyl here but want to buy last or near last turntable first. Which would you experts prefer if you were in my shoes: brand new unit or used higher original priced unit?  My first cartridge would be in the 700 to 1000.00 range to test out.  Will upgrade to pricier ones in future. Look fwd to ur responses.

Will be running this through:
Audio Research PH7
Audio Research Ref 5SE
Pass Labs XA200 monoblocks

chenglo1
Both of these companies are very different, and both have had various issues/complaints with some of their tonearm designs. VPI seems to finally be going towards gimbal arms (Prime 21 has a gimbal), which I think is good, and seems to be getting good feedback. I kept away from VPI Scoutmaster/Classic as a beginner because I hated the wobble of their undamped (back then) unipivots. Honestly their new gimbals look really nice, and I think they will do better with a wider range of cartridges where the unipivot can struggle (e.g. Koetsu stone bodies).

What is the arm on the Innovation? If it’s that awful magnetic-bearing Clarify, then pass. You must have a concrete slab floor for that arm to work OK. The semi-magnetic Magnify is a lot better, but you’ll still need to be aware of isolation. The linear tracking TT-5 can be (so I hear) be a bear to setup. The Satisfy is perhaps too lowly for a table of this level. You would be better off with a Tracer or Universal. But a Graham Phantom (Musical Surroundings used to bundle these with Innovations) would be fantastic! The Graham is a perfect match to Innovation; the only problem was getting consistent supply & service from Graham.

Get a listen to one or both if at all possible. If you can only hear one, but you love it -- well, get it and don’t worry about the other! Several years ago I heard a Innovation Compact with Magnify and Ortofon Cadenza Red. The Cadenza is a little below this table’s level, but it all impressed me enough that I bought my own Innovation. It sounded wonderful.

One more though to consider -- another area where these companies are polar opposites is the product evolution. I can’t count how many new arms & tables VPI has released (and discontinued) in the last 10 years. It’s hard to call their process an evolution; more akin to throwing everything on the wall to see what sticks - then rinse, repeat. The Clearaudio Innovation line has been the SAME for 10 years now, with minor additions and refinements worked in over time (no Mk # versions, though).

Final thought: if you are a newbie and looking at turntables of THIS excellent level of quality, then I applaud you! You're doing it right. I think I'm a lifelong vinyl junkie because I went for a great table to start with (SOTA Star) and loved it from the 1st groove, rather than trudging though the budget-tiers first. Don't listen to anyone who tells you to try a Pro-Ject first ;) 
At that price point I'd also add the Feikert Volare to your list. Purchased with the equipped Origin Live Silver tonearm you will have funds remaining for a very nice cartridge with enough output for the PH 7. I've heard the Volare with this arm and it was impressive--well designed, built and handsome. 
Will agree uni pivot designs are odd. I have a vpi classic 3. It’s awesome. If you like tinkering, a high end tt is great. The on the fly vta is genius. You have a nice system. Have fun on your analog journey. 
This is a timely thread as I just decided to leave my LP-12 after a long love affair and move over to a Clearaudio Innovation Wood/Universal 9 Arm/Kiseki Purple Heart, although the cartridge I heard the table with was the Stradavari.  I've auditioned a lot of rigs and this is the first time I played my system and did not like it anymore!

 I have a similar system, ARC Ref 5se, Ref Phono 2se and Ref 110 amp. My table is a ClearAudio Innovation compact wood with Universal Arm and Benz Zebra Wood cart. I love the Innovation compact. It is not fiddly like some tables and the Universal is a great arm. The platter floats on a magnetic bearing that helps isolate it from vibration.

I bought my table used as a newbie and have never felt the urge to upgrade. Though I have thought about adding a second arm. I did have a Fosgate Signature phono preamp when I started and later upgraded to the Ref Phono 2se. The Ref 5se and Ref Phono 2se is a killer combo.