My RM10 is well isolated already, in a two-hundred+ pound armoire, on a two-inch thick solid shelf with the Pro-ject isolation base on top of that. Hence, I think my TT is performing pretty near its potential. I play it with the doors to the armoire shut, which makes a huge difference, particularly at 100dB and above. Still, the HRS platform should be a further, but small incremental step.
Yes, I think you're right, analogue is a great bargain in source equipment, BUT good source software is more expensive by a large degree with LP. I like good surfaces on my LPs and that seldom happens in bargain bins. Also, new artists are hard to find on LP, which is about 80% of my listening.
If I could have only one source, then it'd be the MPS-5. Really, when you consider the quality of it's DAC and the ability to use it with a computer and/or server, then it's incredibly flexible. Source material costs way less in digital and it's improving in huge steps.
If I owned 2000 LPs then I might have a different view, but right now I've got about 800 LPs and 1200 CD/SACDs. Still, until I bought the MPS-5, my new purchases were 2-to-1 analog over digital. I think that gives you some idea how good the MPS-5 is. I think think that I could spend $10,000 on a TT and not have anaolog leap ahead of this system. Read Mike Lavigne's review of the MPS-5, if you haven't. His analog system is mega-bucks and the MPS-5 hangs in there in that tall cotton.
Oh, I just went with the reviews on the HRS. I like the technology and cramed reviews for a few days to see what else caught my eye. I've got a local dealer, but no loaner program. Still, the support of the dealer has been good ( www.audiofederation.com ) so far. They ARE expensive.
You know, no doubt, money's a huge factor. You can get a lot of this at half the cost and it's way, way better than half as good. I spent big bucks on digital because I'd tried several lower cost solutions and just wasn't happy listening to CDs. The MPS-5 totally got rid of listener fatigue and re-opened a huge portion of my library to me.
I went for $10,000 to $30,000 in my system in the last 12-months. I've been very blessed that I can do that with no impact on my budget. (Business has been very, very good). I still want big bang for the buck, but I can now afford what I really want. I wish that all audiophiles had that freedom and I realize that most don't. I didn't for several decades and still immensely enjoyed my various systems over the years.
Dave