I guess the question I'd have to ask is why spend so much on the TT in the first place especially if your new to analog as you say. That means that your LP collection is zero? How many CD's do you own? You say that most of your listening is Classical. Unfortunately, Classical is what there are the least of in new LP's. Oh, you can get new pressings but really why get into analog simply to be limited by what you can get. If your into string esemble it's even worse. Now if you plan on going the used LP route you can get plenty of classical. If you are still determined then I would go for a less expensive TT and use the left over $ for new LP's. If you plan on going forward I would get the VPI if you plan on buying used LP's as well as new. Have you heard the VPI Classic? I heard one the other day and thought it sounded really musical. If that deck was vailable 10 years ago I may have gone for it. I have heard the SME 20/2A twice on a limited basis and have not heard the HRX. The SME is very neutral even overly neutral in my book. I think it really comes down to what you like, one is on the warmer side the other is cooler.
