Another VPI or something else for under $2k

I recently got an Acoustic Signature after a few years of owning a Scout. I found an original Final Tool and just ordered the new motor, pulley, and belt for it from Germany. Total came in right at $2k. I'm very impressed with the Final Tool, but the basic sound of this table is different than the VPI "house sound." I'd say VPI's sound very organically integrated and are designed to let you focus on the music first and think about audiophile concerns secondarily. The FInal Tool is a bit more analytical sounding, noticeably more revealing, and requires more effort in partnering with preamps and cartridges to fine tune the sound to your preference. Different approaches, both rewarding.

I got a butter pecan! picked up a Nottingham Hyperspace with Anna arm, thought I would only be able to get a 294 at that price point. Will see how this one pan out, I have always want to try a Nottingham after owning Oracle Delphi V, Clearaudio Champion L2, and Sota Star Sapphire before.

Now which cartridge to mount on this 12" arm?

A class "C" Rega can be tweaked to deliver class "B" sound.

Since the Anna is unipivot arm, many of the good choices for the JMW tonearms (med. to high compliance) will also be good matches. The Anna arm has a higher effective mass, though, so a lighter cartridge than those you use on your VPI may be better. A Grado Sonata would be an excellent choice, I would think, as would a Lyra Dorian or an Audio Technica AT-0C9.

Cheers.