@audphile1 - you do bring up a good point that I have recognized and worked with in the past. I don't recall how the actual dimensions compared when I had the Aphelion 2 but I did buy the spacer set and adjusted the arm from the base. I did not hear any differences with my previous Benz or the current Kiseki. I know many hear major changes in sound while adjusting the VTA so not sure if mine was already close enough to be good or if this is something too subtle for me to hear. Looking at my table now the arm is almost perfectly parallel to the record. The cartridge may be up 1 or 2 deg from the base.
@pindac - My limited experiences with demos has left me disappointed. When you are auditioning these cartridges at a dealer do they have a setup with a headshell where they are allowing you to hear a known cartridge which you are currently use or know well and then swapping out the contender(s)? I have no dealers near me so my experiences are limited to business trips and trying to coordinate an hour or two in to go visit someone....I don't have a rapport with anyone. I will focus on the used market and often times as the retail climbs the expected resale value percentage drops so hoping $3000 will present opportunities for a $6000-$8000 cartridge. I was not familiar with Hayabusa so will read up on that brand...thanks!