Seeking Opinions on Clearaudio and VPI Turntables

Hello, I will not attempt to add to the audio knowledge on this forum, as I have very little compared to many here. But from a practical point, I like to be able to pickup a phone and talk to the guys who build and design stuff. I have a VPI HW-19, and it is nice to talk to some of the main people who design and troubleshoot the product, which I have done several times. Clearaudio, you have to deal with the Distributor, whom I have seen mixed reactions on getting much help from them. I suppose you could call or email Germany(I believe). My point being practical(this is probably a stupid point, as what is practical in audio) is VPI builds a quality product, obviously Audiophile accepted, right in New Jersey, and you can pickup the phone or email and talk to the owner and main design guys for help, and they are very nice about it, and helpful.
Oddly, I have a Clearaudio cartridge on my VPI, that I eneded up with in a odd way. But none of what I wrote above is meant to indicate anything wrong with the Clearaudio TT.

Here's the biased viewpoint from a VPI TNT6-HR owner, who has numerous friends with VPI tables ranging from HW-19s to ScoutMasters.
I agree w/most of Sdcampbell's remarks. To my ear, the VPIs are solid as rock, with a black background, weighty presentation, with good detail, but perhaps a tad more emphasis on mid-bass than reality. To use another analogy, more of an "American sound" vs. "European sound".
I've heard the Champion Level 2 at a dealer with Audio Research electronics and Martin Logan speakers. None of these pieces are close to being favorites of mine, and the sound was bright & thin to my ears. When I heard the top of the line Clearaudio table at CES, there was tons of detail, but balance of the system was also a touch on the polite side. More emphasis on highs vs bottom end and midrange. Many in the room loved the sound, which was dynamic and threw a very wide soundstage, two areas in which both brands seem to excel.
Best thing to me about VPI is the proven upgrade path. Lots of value preservation IMHO. The people at VPI are indeed accesible if you have any questions. Harry is often on audioasylum's vinyl board under moniker, "HW". Cheers,
Spencer

To be specific, anyone here have heard of the Aries 3 or the scoutmasters ? for $3000-$4000 for arm and table, which of the vpi series presents a good bang for buck value?

thanks for inputs.

dont count a SOTA out in that range you can get an amazing table.

Can someone help me. I can't decide on the following decks- Pro-Ject Xpression MK11; Goldring GR-2, Rega P3 and the Clearaudio Emotion. I'm not happy with the Sumiko Oyster cart. that comes with the Pro-Ject. With the P3 and the Emotion I would need to select a cart. Lastly, what do you think of the Marantz TT-15S1 that Clearaudio makes for Marantz? Is it essentialy the Emotion with the fancier Virtuoso Wood cart? Emotion=$1k; Marantz 15S1=$1.8K

Many thanks.
Len