recommendation for a high end analog system

@chungjh  👍🏼 Good to see you are going ‘all in’ on the SOTA. With the changes you are looking to make, you are well on your way to having a much better performing rig, and better sounding music. Then, a big decision on a new cart. And might want to reconsider your existing phono pre as well.

Origin Live Illustrious II or higher would give you the more live sound with plenty of detail. After owning several different arms, I was able to find a used OLI II for under $900. It is a simple to setup arm and I’ve owned a couple different OL Silver II arms with good TT’s, along with a couple even better sounding arms than the Silver II. I used to have a Maplenoll Ariadne TT/arm which was excellent sounding. The Illustrious is a very good sounding arm that is a significant upgrade in all ways from what I had before. This new combo is the first one to dethrone the Maplenoll in SQ--much more dynamic and better clarity. I own a highly modified Lenco TT with much of Jean Nantais’ upgrades and mods. This is now a potent combination of superior dynamics, deep bass with definition, and beautiful, clear mids and highs--that is easy to use. I have a used Charisma Reference II cartridge that I bought for under $800 used slightly. I also have a Whest 3.0 RDT SE phono pre bought used for about $2350--dead quiet and very resolving without edge. I have a used TRL DUDE preamp which is absolutely awesome in all ways that I just got retuned with NOS tubes from Andy’s Vintage Tubes and the DUDE is now much livelier than it has ever been and the bass now has great texture--I bought it used and am the third owner. I now have a super DUDE with a couple mods I performed on it a couple years ago and the NOS tubes--much better sounding than the original.

Bob

I just recently upgraded my vinyl setup with a Technics SL-1200G with a Clearaudio Charisma MM cart, going into a Herron Audio VTPH2a phono stage and a Herron Audio VTSP-360 line stage; never knew vinyl could sound like that before!!! 

How is the tonearm that comes with 1200G?

As you see, for almost the price on the old used SME V you can get a 1200G.
However, if you want to go all in with the SOTA, get the SME V and have SOTA rebuilt the TT. Mostly, you will then have a rig that may sound more grounded then the Technics but not necessarily better.
And there are several recommended upgrades that should be done on the 1200G that will add about $1000 to the price.
Mostly, with the SOTA and SME, you will have a much more substantial rig and may have the most pride of ownership.