TT suggestion in the $7 - 10K range?

Just a thought about the VPI uni-pivot turntables. If you pull my posts, you will see that I own the VPI Classic 1 (w/Classic 3 arm wand). My bottom line opinion: if you can find a carty that matches well with the JMW unstabilized uni-pivot set up, the VPI sounds great and is a contender. OTOH, IME, many great carties that I tried just didn't work very well. I believe that many other Forum members echoed similar experiences. Check the threads.

I think the next time around, if there is a next time, I would opt for a different tone arm set up. Not sure which type, but something more stable than the JMW set up.

Re Sota Star Sapphire w/vacuum: I owned one for many years. It is a very nice turntable. After that, I have owned a Notts Hyperspace, upgraded Lenco, Denon DP80, Kenwood L07D, Technics SP10 Mk2 and Mk3. ALL of these turntables were and are superior to the Star Sapphire in my system, in my opinion. There are issues with pitch stability and bass response, as regards the Star. However the Star Sapphire costs less, but that's irrelevant to the OP. If Sota is a choice then one should stick to the Cosmos or Millenium. If the OP should luck out and find a Kenwood L07D, which usually can be had for about $4000 or less, that would be my choice on a cost-effective basis.

"…just buy a used Micro Seiki and don’t worry about turntables anymore; built like a tank and sounds better than TTs costing over 30K USD.”

Mr. Ikeda, of Ikeda / Fidelity Research

I agree, if you want my opinion, Avoid SME 20/V turntables,very expensive not justify the price, any Micro Seiki RX-1500G is superior in all aspects.

A VPI JMW 12.7, Graham Phantom B-44, or a Tri-Planar VII ultimate outperforms any SME tonearm.

TW ACUSTIC wonderful sound and world class service.

Bifwynne Are you now happy with the cartridge you have in your Classic? I have a 10.5i VPI arm, and if set up properly (not hard..just do it properly) I haven't come across too many cartridges that won't work. Some like Shelters need additional weight on the front end, some like the Benz LPS, need additional weight on the back end, some like Clearaudio/Grado can use damping, but I found that there are many cartridges an owner can use with this arm.