basis 1400 belt & cartridge

Thanks everybody for the valuable feedback. I think I narrowed it down to the Grado Gold and LP Gear replacement belt for now. With two kids in the house there is always a chance that the stylus gets broken so easy replacement is definitely a plus. I would love to get the basis belt but feel that at this point my money is better spent elsewhere which brings me to my next question: what would you recommend as a phono pre-amp in the $ 200 - $ 300 range to go with this turntable/cartridge combo. So far I've been running my other TT through the integrated MM phono stage of my Onkyo amp. I like the bellaria VP 130 (with the added bonus of having a headphone jack) and the Musical Fidelity V-LPS but have not heard either one. 'Am also open to other suggestions. Cheers.

I have not heard the Bottlehead tube unit, but, it has a good reputation. It is a little outside of your price range ($369) and it is a kit that requires assembly, but, I saw and heard a Bottlehead amplifier that came from a kit and it should not be that hard to build even if you don't have experience. Go to:

http://www.bottlehead.com/store.php?crn=220&rn=429&action=show_detail

Pro-ject also makes some low cost phono stages, such as their Phono Box II ($159) and Phono Box SEII ($329). Two friends actually heard the Phono Box II in comparison with Pro-ject's much more expensive tube phonostage and both much preferred the cheaper, solid state unit. I believe Music Hall makes a low cost unit as well. I haven't heard any of these units myself.

Hi Flo- just wondering if you got the basis belt from lpgear?   The 1400 belt I received from them would not stay on the pulley (it was too wide).  I ordered a basis belt and things are working as they should.  (I realize this post is old- more of a warning about non original equipment belts)