Doug,
Budget, you're kidding, right? If you remeber when I started to go higher end vinyl about 8 months ago, I wanted to do it all for 2k. Man, that was some good single malt that night!!!!
That said, I must say that I have been able to find some very good deals, like the one on the Microgroove, then the Supratek. Also being able to build stuff saved me a ton. But as we all know this hobby can get out of hand. Besides, do I remember correctly something about a Lorricraft?
I guess I just figured there was no point in doing it half-assed. I looked at all kind of goofy arms & tables & other stuff that the fine people here talked me out of. Once it was explained why one thing works well and is "better" than another, I tended to follow the advice. So, as I get the extra cash, I upgrade.
Plus, I have just as much fun tweaking. Your VTF mod works great, even without the HiFi mod, which I may put on tonight. Can't wait to finally hear it for myself. Also, there is a new VTA adjuster out there. Look here:
VTAFI think I'll give it a shot too. I can't stand that skinny little blue VTA adjuster. That's one of the reasons I went with cones under my armboard. Believe it or not, they are less of a pain in the ass to use!
As for cartridges, I also saw someone we know has a 501II listed here. Since I kick myself every time I think about not buying the arm he had for sale before, I probably need to get this. David, are you listening? But, I will end up with a 901 sooner or later. The only other cartridge I am really even considering is a Rosewood Plarinum Signature, and it is my second choice.
So, I really wanted to know what arms not to look for, so if I come across a good deal I can just go ahead and but it. I really like the looks of the SME V, want the performance of the Kuzma, the adjustability of the Triplanar, and if there was EVER a deal on an Illustrious....
Like I've said before, the main impediment is too much going on. Trying to figure out how much lead my new design wood clamp needs, graing matching red coconut palm, and trying to find a machine shop to help me prototype a bearing all help keep me busy, on top of running a business. One of the guys on the Teres forum has a great bearing design, similar to the Teres but inverted. The last 2 shops I talked to want $2500 to prototype it for me. Jeez, I need to buy a lathe!
What I really need to do is get the two-armed plinth done, so I can make all of these comparisons side-by-side. Until that's done, I'll just keep looking, and buy stuff when the right deal comes along, and I have some spare cash.
Once again, David, am I too late?
Joe