Turntable Upgrade Suggestions

Mordante makes a good point--the phono preamp is vital. As is synergy between the arm and cartridge and proper cartridge alignment. I believe that a sound investment of time and money in getting these right is the proper starting point for good analogue sound and should be addressed prior to spending significant dollars on a table/arm upgrade.

I made a comparison between the classic 1 and classic 3 as soon as I upgraded,everything else was exactly the same,only turntable changed on this thread.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1263789072&openusid&zzCaptain_winters&4&5#Captain_winters

I didn't compare to the Scout,but if you read comparisons with the Classic 1 and the Scout,my comparison gets you to the Classic 3.

I have had great satisfaction from mySOTA turntables. Sound engineering, quality construction, great service, American made and superior performance and upgradable. I don't have much experience with VPI, so I can't compare. My oracles are also at the same level.
ANy of those would be a good choice

@Sbrownnw

The Jasmine is a good phono amp. But if I were you I would replace the Jasmine before buying a new turntable. For that kind of money I would look at something by Pass or Aesthetix. New or secondhand.

Mordante, I agree on the phono upgrade. However, don't dismiss the Jasmine without first upgrading the output capacitors. This elevates the Jasmine to another level.

The proof of good equipment down the sound-reproduction chain is whether you can easily detect subtle changes in the first or preceding links (in this case the TT, cartridge, VTA, azimuth, clamps, tonearm). With my modified Jasmine, I can detect modifications in all of these things.

"Subtle changes" include hearing the plucking of strings of violins, the timber of the voice, the more precise placement of musicians on the stage, the sonic aura of the performance room, the leading strike of the piano key, the pre-echo-bleed from the magnetic mastering tape that precedes the actual note (this is like reverse echo).