Hey B_limo, re-read my post and you will see why I went with the 1.3. I have not had any vibration problems. I have had zero problems. My wife has problems with me playing all my records!
As far as keeping it around $500 then my advise would be to get the carbon and maybe you will like the Ortofon that comes with it.
I dont know your system but you could get the Cambridge pre-amp or even the Pro-Ject phono pre...or something cheaper and keep it all at $500 easy.
The Carbon sounded fine but not once I went to the Denon DL-110.... {See my post above}
Hope that helps a little....
db
As far as keeping it around $500 then my advise would be to get the carbon and maybe you will like the Ortofon that comes with it.
I dont know your system but you could get the Cambridge pre-amp or even the Pro-Ject phono pre...or something cheaper and keep it all at $500 easy.
The Carbon sounded fine but not once I went to the Denon DL-110.... {See my post above}
Hope that helps a little....
db