End Game Turntable suggestions

@mijostyn Your description of a Densified Wood and in your case the reference to Panzerholz is quite limited in description and does not demonstrate where it separates as a Production Method to a Typical Reference to a Plywood. 

The Process used to produce a Phenolic Resin Densified Wood is using extreme compression multiple layer of a Veneer. The Veneers are to receive a specified  volume @ g/m2 of Phenolic Resin between each layer of Veneer in the Ply Assembly.

This is then compressed as an assembly to reduce the original thickness by 50%, a 1.4 mm Veneer will compress to approx' 0.7mm. 

The entire assembly is then Vacuum Treated (removes all air pockets from imperfections and the Woods Cell Structure, which will be filled with the flow of the Phenolic Resin).

There is also a process to administer a Heat Treatment.

Densified Woods are now with a Patent in place for more than 100 Years and the Production Technology and extended use of application for the product due to this has been an evolving R&D.

The Dynawood Brand for Densified Wood is one that has a selection of Colours as the Option, but this suits a particular industry, such as Knife Handles.

The statement made about the use of Aluminium and P'holz for the same role and having same impact is pure conjecture, if one took the time to review the Measurements as a result of Damping and Frequency response they could not so flippantly make such a statement. 

There are obvious differences between the effect the two materials will have to be anticipated as occurring, there is data to explain differences when discovered.   

The Link is a portal that is found from the most basic of Web Searches.

Another case in relation to your remarks of the 'Old Guard' getting it quite wrong in relation to what is required for modern military manoeuvres.

Stick with the BEST. The Thorens TD 1601 is my End Game TT. I'm 72, it's the only way to play.

@mijostyn thanks for the good advice, I can see how the inferior cartridge will just gather dust. I don't play 78's. Much appreciated.

@pindac thanks for pointing me to the OL Sovereign, I need to check about service issues that seem to have been talked about here. But the Sovereign/Illustrious combo is appealing.

I own both a VPI 19-4 for 78s and a VPI TNT VI w/modified SME IV arm.   I would recommend a VPI turntable; however, the TNT has awful footers (now resting on a Townshend Seismic Sink-maybe a Townshend platform in the future).  Make certain that the VPI you buy has either good anti-vibration footers or be prepared to spend a little more for vibration isolation (like the reasonably priced Townshend platform). 

Several friends own the Scout+ and Aries+ using Dynavector cartridges and get great sound.  They also state that the 20X2 H is the best all-rounder because it plays all LPs well.  One has the latest karat D and another the XX2.  Neither are all rounders like the 20X2.  I decided not to spend $3-4K on a replacement for my Benz Ruby3 and purchased the Dynavector 20X2 L (better highs/resolution).  Wow, a bargain and fantastic into a standard 100 ohm loading.  It works into my EAR 864, EAR 324 and as stepped up into my Allesso SUT.  That's my recommendation (I've gone hi-end with those components at a low cost-the EAR 864 has great NOS tubes, Stillpoint UltraSS footers and a Synergistic Research blue fuse with superb cabling-all necessary to elevate the pre-amp to high end status).