Hi Wartz, I reckon opinions are like you know what, and everybody's got one! (lol)
None the less, when you factor in everything associated with the Table, such as Arm, Cartridge, A great Phono Stage to compliment it, it sure isn't hard to come to the $10K mark, in fact, given the money in hand, I could easily exceed that price tag by three times in 20 seconds! (And I consider myself an analog dummy)
Yes, the Graham arm would probably be on my own personal short list (If I had the money!). Truly beautiful stuff indeed!
I think you'll agree though, there comes a point in price in the ultra high-end where one starts cutting hairs, and the bottom line I guess is "How deep are your pockets"?
Then once you somewhat achieve Analog nirvana to a given point, I would then think one would start carefully examining, and questioning whether the rest of the system (Speakers-Amps-Pre-Amps) was up to snuff?
Yes, the VPI's are nice, and I probably wouldn't discount the HRX so quickly until you hear it.
Compliment it with an Arm, a Cartridge, and a Phono Stage if you don't already have these, and you're easily looking at $25K combined cost.
I've always liked the VPI Aries myself, and you'll agree that there are numerous tables in this price range.
Tough to say what I'd ultimately buy given the bucks? Maybe an offering from Clearaudio? Manley Steelhead?
Top of the Line Lyra Cart, or Koestsu? Tough choices, even for a dreamer like myself.
Me, I settled on more meager equipment, a VPI HW-19 with MK-IV Platter, Sutherland PhD, Glider Cart, AQ Arm.
Not bad stuff, and enjoyable, but certainly not the last word in Analog. (Maybe 20 years ago it would be)
I reckon the best advice would be to do more homework, sleep on it, and given time, try making what you think is the wisest decision. Mark
None the less, when you factor in everything associated with the Table, such as Arm, Cartridge, A great Phono Stage to compliment it, it sure isn't hard to come to the $10K mark, in fact, given the money in hand, I could easily exceed that price tag by three times in 20 seconds! (And I consider myself an analog dummy)
Yes, the Graham arm would probably be on my own personal short list (If I had the money!). Truly beautiful stuff indeed!
I think you'll agree though, there comes a point in price in the ultra high-end where one starts cutting hairs, and the bottom line I guess is "How deep are your pockets"?
Then once you somewhat achieve Analog nirvana to a given point, I would then think one would start carefully examining, and questioning whether the rest of the system (Speakers-Amps-Pre-Amps) was up to snuff?
Yes, the VPI's are nice, and I probably wouldn't discount the HRX so quickly until you hear it.
Compliment it with an Arm, a Cartridge, and a Phono Stage if you don't already have these, and you're easily looking at $25K combined cost.
I've always liked the VPI Aries myself, and you'll agree that there are numerous tables in this price range.
Tough to say what I'd ultimately buy given the bucks? Maybe an offering from Clearaudio? Manley Steelhead?
Top of the Line Lyra Cart, or Koestsu? Tough choices, even for a dreamer like myself.
Me, I settled on more meager equipment, a VPI HW-19 with MK-IV Platter, Sutherland PhD, Glider Cart, AQ Arm.
Not bad stuff, and enjoyable, but certainly not the last word in Analog. (Maybe 20 years ago it would be)
I reckon the best advice would be to do more homework, sleep on it, and given time, try making what you think is the wisest decision. Mark