New TT or old

Although the best and most expensive tt's available today are superior to anything available 25 or more years ago, I would argue that at the low- and even the mid-price level you can get better quality reproduction for less money with a vintage turntable. Many of the modern "lower end" (if you think $2500 is low end) belt drives are nothing but me-too products. If you don't want to DIY, then buy a restored and upgraded product you can just plug in and use; you'll still pay less. Dual, Garrard, Lenco, Thorens, Technics, Kenwood, Sony, etc, direct drives and idler drives come to mind. Just my $.02.

What cartridge is on the B&O? Maybe just a new stylus?

Elevick,

B&O TTs only take B&O carts and replacment styli are very rare and now expensive. There is another thread discussing this issue at length.

Lewm,

good point and obviously and extenstion of mine, but debatable with some of the latest improvements such as Clearaudio's magnetic bearings, for instance, that are available even on their cheaper tables. It's a fine balance at this juncture I think, with no definitive call. Personal aesthetic will feature prominently in such a choice.

Marty,

good question. I don't pretend to know what theoretical advantages will, in the end, represent an improvement. just sharing the lay of the land as I see it. Perhaps a sufficiently coupled and inert platter/record interface needs no mechanical ground. My guess is there all lots o roads to Rome.