Advice for a new analog system

I’m happy with my lesser VPI turntable and cartridge, but if I were to upgrade a component it would be the Fatboy arm.  I would probably go with a Triplanar arm.

@grislybutter I am on board with your observation, hence I have attempted to reinforce the OP's inquisitiveness about the broader range of options available to them.

Learning where the Presentation from a Vinyl Source and Supporting Ancillaries is in relation to producing a Sound is off great importance. The uphill trudge is the discovering the Sound that is extremely satisfying to ones unique preference.         For an inexperienced user of a Vinyl Source, and having the Budget available as discussed, a decent amount of footwork and gathering experiences with assist with homing on a Goal.

I do not see it being achieved through descriptions offered on a Forum, but a description will arm an individual with a info' that might become identifiable when having a first hand of experiencing the device being described.   

@vonhelmholtz Would it be possible to supply to the OP/ Thread a description of how the  Fatboy Tonearm performs and what is the stimulus to feel an exchange arm would be a better device for your purposes.

@pindac

Juan of @blisshifi put together my analog after I made some false starts. He even made suggestions regarding gear that he didn’t sell. Anyway the MSL Signature Platinum and Audionet phono preamp transformed my system. It has the musicality of a tube preamp, but the detail and speed of solid state.  He had suggested the Triplanar and if I had deeper pockets I would have done the upgrade. The MSL cartridge is highly resolving and I believe that the arm reinforced this characteristic…I’m hoping that Juan can reply. Currently, I’m quite happy with my system.

@vonhelmholtz I have my radar out to get an audition of a MSL Gold or Platinum, with design and Parts used to build the Platinum having the most appeal.

It does seem this will most likely be achieved through a HiFi show, so the Demo' environment will be carefully assessed to work out how the Sound is being effected.

Your description is food for thought for anybody expressing an interest in a acquisition with a sizeable budget, the Phon' > Cart' coming in at close $20K, with  a Phon' Upgrade Power Supply as an option as well. 

Your choices for supporting ancillaries, when combined with a Modern Alternative Model of a DD TT >Tonearm can still be achieved as a complete set up for the OP's proposed budget for the DD TT > Tonearm only.