If I may make a suggestion unasked for. That Empire is a really good table. Why do anything else? There are replacement parts for the bearing if I am not mistaken. The Grado; Alittle high compliance in my humble opinion for that arm. I know this is a radical suggestion but in the DJ shops they sell Stanton carts. for about 50$. I use one on my Technics. They; at least the one I have, sound pretty damn good, but best of all they work really well in massive arms. You need to track a little high 2.5g's, but as long as the alignment is right that should'nt be a problem as to record wear. And talk about bass response, this is what those people are all about. Glue the stylus to the cart. body and that should do it. Just a little suggestion. J.R.( The first time I played the Stanton I had my old Pioneer SX 1250 driving the Pi4's. Totally oblivious I put on The Who's Won't Get Fooled Again, thats an experience everyone should have.)J.R.