Calling all analog experts


Currently I'm using the entry level MMF 5 with stock goldring cartridge. Recently listened to some high end Avid and Basis tables and now feel analogically impotent. VPI, Linn, Teres, Clearaudio and Basis are all products that I'd consider. Cartridges and tonearms I don't really know much about. Like anyone I'd like to get the biggest bang for the buck and have no problem buying used . Please suggest a strategy. Other components include:

ARC LS16 MK2 preamp
Cary 306 cdp
ayre v5-x amp
Revel ultima studios
phonomenon phonostage.

Thanks,

J.
jsonic
"Other $1,500 tables might come closer of course, but I don't know any that would match it."

I understand, very few people have a KAB modded Technics SL-1200MKII. The day before I took my 1200 to Kevin for installing the outboard power supply I was at an antique steam & gas engine show in Blue Mountain, PA. There were all these single piston engines with massive flywheels and I started thinking about TTs. Hmmm, to get the belt drive TT spinning right one needs one--preferrably two flywheeels, just like VPI does. That's a good, albeit primitive solution. Just like modern, lighter and powerful gasoline engines which have inboard sensing/correction computers, the linear quartz lock drive can do an effective job w/out relying on massive amounts of lead and/or a flywheel. It just uses a flared platter to lower the center of gravity and add rotational velocity. There are two issues at stake here:

1) How do you take care of speed control issues as the stylus tracks transients (stylus drag).

2) How is speed kept constant while modulating a groove?

One lesson I've learned since having the outboard power supply is that in my TT I can get OUTSTANDING performance with the modded Stanton Groovemaster II. It is a moving magnet design and sounds better than my Ortofon X5 moving coil! Aren't moving coils supposed to be faster, more natural, etc? The answer is simple: the platter can drive the magnets & cantilever assembly rather effortlessly.

The more I look at the Teres the more I see it as a direct drive wannabe!
Psychicanimal, does stylus drag refer to your Stanton in a party dress and panty hose, or did I misunderstand?
DougDeacon, my comment on TT's related to the original Aries and not the Scout. I have no comment on the Scout as I have not seen or heard one play music.

I am confident that VPI TNT HR belts are not rubber, synthetic rubber likely, thermoplastic likely also, although most likely a combination of synrubber and thermoplastics.

Mylar belts is that for real if so what is the benefit...I think that mylar is a thermoplastic, so are mylar belts really different and once again what is the benefit to mylar belts over thermoplastic or synthetic rubber drive belts?

I have seen mylar build a static charge and then discharge, how does Teres eliminate this occurance.

Curious comments on some stuff in this thread...