New turntable help

If you are hitting the $1-2k budget, you might want to try to hear a Well Tempered Simplex.

Hi, hope you dont mind if I add another wrinkle to the discussion. If you like the clearaudio cart consider the marantz tt-15s. It's basically the clearaudio emotion turntable rebranded and packaged with a virtuoso cart. Now, I realize that you're looking one model up on the cart, but I'd suggest that you read a few reviews that compare the two carts. You might find the differences minimal and cost of the marantz kit ($1500.00) compelling. After all, you can trade the cart in on the maestro if you hate the virtuoso, which I doubt you will.

Good luck

Also look at the Basis 1400 and the Sota Satelitte, or even a refurbished Sota Sapphire.

Zenblaster.. Why did you use the traveler over the scout?

It sounded more musical in my system. And it is a simple yet very well thought out design that is built like a tank. Listen to the both and you will see that there is a difference, the choice is subjective.
The beauty of the Maestro is the solid boron cantilever and Trygon P2 stylus, both from the $13,000 Clearaudio Insider. The Virtuoso connot keep up with this kind of engineering.

I have a similar set up as you. Parasound JC2/A21, PSB Synchrony's , Fosgate signature phono. I replaced a Rega P5 with a VPI classic one / Dynavector 20x2 and have been very pleased. It's a little over your budget but I don't think there would be a big dropoff between the Classic and the Scout. For me anyway the ability to fine tune the azimuth on the Classic made a huge difference over the Rega.