Turntables from 1-10: Personality 8.5 Beauty 12


This thread could be interesting for any components, but I write as I am thinking of adding a turntable to my system.

In the end, I might not use it very often, but I love the beauty of turntables, if only as a conversation piece for my missionary work with non audiophiles.

Obviously, I want it to sound very good too but I might get more pleasure per dollar per hour of usage with an unusually gorgeous turntable. I need to keep the budget to < $10,000 retail.

Could anyone recommend a particular VPI model? The HRX is obviously gorgeous, but I imagine the less expensive ones look great too and much of the same performance as their top of the line?

How about the Michell Gyrodec SE? Is it as gorgeous as it looks in pictures? Oracle?

Obviously the dowdy LP12 is out, as are the mdf Regas and others.....

Thanks for any ideas.
cwlondon
I love the looks of my VPI Aires 2 extended TT with the JMW 12.5 arm. The table is very sleek looking and the arm, although not much longer than the 10.5 I used to have, looks like it is a mile long!
Well I don't mean to contradict you but, I went from an Aries to an HRX and there is no comparison. The HRX out performs the Aries hands down. I do happen to think the Avid Acutus is gorgeous. I hear it is quite a performer too. After I win the lottery, the Walker Procenium Gold will make my short list.