TT: Aries or Delphi V

I think the Oracle is avery good table with 'drop-dead' good looks. If I can ever get my wife to view one in person, I think it will sell itself. Peformance b/t the two let's call it a draw. As a piece of artwork, no comparison.

i've never heard the aries/jmw. but, from comments, & having heard a vpi mk-iv, i can't imagine ewe woodn't like the sound. i have an old oracle, updated to all mk-v specs, except the mootor/power supply. i felt a much more cost-effective upgrade here would be the origin-live motor/power-suply upgrade, so i went that route. same w/the tonearm - the o-l modified rega rb-250 is even better than their modified rb900 - this is according to o-l. and, even a stock rb900 is a great arm.

i love the sound of my oracle - it sounded great even before all the upgrades, now i can't imagine ever being able to afford to better it in any meaningful way. budget *is* important to me - my 'table, w/all the updates & o-l mods, has set me back ~$1800...

doug s.

I just bought the Aries/JMW 10 combo 2 weeks ago. I absolutely love it. I've also wanted the Oracle in the past but decided to go for the Aries after reading several reviews - it was close. Live and in person, the Aries is drop dead gorgeous. The platter alone is 22+ lb. The sound is stunning with my Grado. Deeeeep, powerful and articulate bass. Fantastic mids, and oh so delicate highs. It's a breeze to set up, and with the optional dustcover (more like a museum case), it looks like a work of art. It's also available as an Aries Extended with the JMW 12, but I went with the reg table and arm for the smaller footprint.

VPI is also very friendly and helpful on the phone. I also like to know that part of my purchase contributes to a memorial scholarship fund for Sheila and Harry's son, for which the JMW Memorial was named.

The new SME arm/turntable would be one I would look at as well and looking at about the same money as the other two.......I have heard good reports on this combo from a dealer that sells VPI as well as SME.....