Turntables better than a Wadia 861SE w/ Statement

I'm in the quest for a new analogue rig myself. My finances only permit the moderately priced options: Nottingham Space Deck/Ace Space Arm, The VPI Scout Master/JMW-9 (Signature?), and the Teres 160/Origin Live Silver Mk II (or perhaps the Morch). I find all these options to be viable choices, if slightly different "flavors", as is the basic Scout. I'm not an admirer of the stock JMW-9 arm and I think the Signature version appears to be a worthwhile upgrade although I haven't heard it yet. None of the arms in question are exactly world class but all are decent. If you want to plunge into the deep end I recommend that you definitely add the Galibier Design tables and possibly the Avid Actus to your list. You should also consider the Lyra cartridges (all are approx. .5mV output). The Schroeders and the lastest iteration of the Triplanar seem to be the current pinnacles of tonearm design. Definitive judgements in analogue gear are very hard to come by as comparisons where only one variable is altered are not easy to arrange. Good luck in your search.

One of the simmering controveries in record reproduction is the issue of the alleged sonic signature of acrylic. VPI, Basis, Clearaudio, Scheu/Eurolab and Amazon seem to make up the pro acrylic camp while Nottingham Analogue, Galibier, Redpoint, Simon Yorke (I think), SME, Avid and Acoustic Signature have chosen to avoid the use of acrylic. Verdier, I believe, uses it in the plinth but not the platter. The lower echelon Teres use it in the platter (formerly their entire entry level table) while the upper echelon Teres do not use any acrylic. I'm not in a position to conjecture on how significant this issue is - perhaps someone with more expertise will chime in - but it is worth considering. At the level of $2K - $4K table and arm combinations it may not be an overriding issue but when one gets into the realm of $10K and up table/arm combinations the equation may change.
Personally, I would opt for the roughly $3K table/arm realm coupled with a $600 - $1.5K cartridge. That is certainly a good enough system to give you a very good idea of what vinyl offers. I suggest you also invest in a record cleaning machine and a good dedicated stand or wall shelf for the table. If you opt for the Space Deck I've heard very positive comments about the Boston audio mat.

I have never heard a top-notch CD player but I have no desrie to. My vinyl satisfies all the sonic needs I have for a fraction of the price.

For your price, you have the sky as your limit! Here's some ideas:

1. VPI Black Knight/JMW 10.5/Loricraft RCM/ZYX Airy 3
2. Teres 320/Morch UP-3/VPI Hw 16.5/Denon 103R
3. VPI Scoutmaster/JMW-9 Signature/DynaVector 17D2/SDS/Loricraft RCM
4. VPI Hw19-Mk IV/SDS/SAMA/TNT-5 Bearing and Platter/Wheaton Tri-Planar/Shelter 901/Loricraft RCM

...the sky is the limit.

Marty

Thank you for your suggestions Marty.

I have been hearing great things about the ZYX Airy 3. Does anyone know what the price and output are.

Also, based on the feedback in this thread, I plan to spend more in the 5K range for TT/Arm/Cart.

I believe there are four variants of the ZYX Airy 3: low (.24mV) output, high (.48mv) output, and your choice of silver ("S") or copper ("X") coils. The US distributor is Sorasound, search ZYX here on Audiogon. The current price seems to be $2,300.00. I have no experience with these cartridges but personally I'd be dubious about the wisdom of mounting any $2K+ cartridge on a $3K table & arm combination.