[pgastone]

Ok got the table- so now I plan to bring it in to one of the hifi stores in NYC to have a cartidge mounted since I do not think I have the experience just yet to do this myself and also to buy a phono stage to go with it.
Could use some help.

The table actually has a Benz Micro Glider mounted on it but the needle was snapped off so I could either just get a new cartridge or have the gloder retipped ($600).
So my question is whether to:
get something new- and I was thinking of a Grado Sonata ($500) + the GRado phono ($500- I hear that the 2 have very good synergy
OR
get the retip and an as of yet underdermined phono stage.

One of the new NY Hifi dealers I spoke to (was only one that actually offered real advice/service out of 3 I spoke to- I was very unimpressed with others and particularly one of which was just featured in a well known hifi mag as one of the true stereo purists out there- could have fooled me- or at least the store's staff could have!) thinks I should shoot for latter solution and couple this with a Trigon phono- thinks this will yield better results that what I was thinking of for only slightly more.

I can see the logic as I would benefit from getting some use form that cartidridge- only issue however is that my system is a little bright due to the room acoustics and I hear the Benz tends towards a leaner sound.

Any thoughts welcome as I am hoping to have all of this sorted out this week and start enjoying this thing!

[TheChairGuy]

Re-tips for any cartridge range $250-350 at sound-smith.com just north of you in New York state (Peekskill, I think).

Their backlog means you'll be without a cartridge for several weeks, however.  A better priced option to get your Benz Glider working again for less than $600.

You can always make do with a $100 moving magnet until it makes it's way back to you.....you're still spending significant coin less for 2 working cartridges than you'd be than getting one new Benz Glider.

Food for thought...enjoy your new vinyl front end (somehow )

John

[Listens2tubes]

The Aries is a supreme offering from VPI. If your close to NY you may also want to check out Audio Connection in Verona , NJ. You'll want to talk to Nick, he'll  get you set up. Just my 2 cents, these guys have treated me right on numerous occasions.