Hey,I don't doubt the Fisher is a great option on a budget for a speaker set up or akg-k1000 cans. A friend has this set up for the k1000s and/or Epos ESL-3. It sounds quite good, albeit it runs with a digital and not an analog source. However, if the poster plans to use standard cans, the Fisher is a good, but not an excellent headphone amp. SO here we fall on a situation in which he may not get to hear the full potential of a VPI table because the rest of the system does not allow for it. I believe this is the underlying reason why so many people that go into vinyl are dissappointed, after they hear how wonderful analog is from others, however it is not in their system. Vinyl to sound it's full potential has to be correctly set up (not necessarily expensive).
Ultimately, this is something that the poster will have to decide, whether he should go deep into vinyl or not, and how much to spend. Whether to listen to speakers first. The most difficult issue for an inexperienced user is to know what to expect from a system at different budget levels. I sincerely think he can do better for a headphone system without expending extreme ammounts of money. By having a MC/MM phono that can accomodate different loads, one can have a bit more flexibility with cartridges. The Musical Fidelity X-LPS is a great option on a budget, for instance. IF he indeed wants to set up a speaker system, then, as I said before, it is a different ball game with the Fisher.
The way I see it, and the way I try to think about an analog headphone system is: Set up a budget, selected a table based on audition or conversation with peer listeners, and if either of these is not a possibility, read, read, read, internet forums can help get the gist. Then think about a cartridge that would work with the arm, then get a phono amp that matches that cartridge. In my case, table was approximatedly 65% of the budget, phono was about 20% and cartridge was around 15%. My table could be running a much better cartridge than the one it has right now, but I sacrificed a bit on it, to get a better table and phono stage. Cartridge is a lot easier to upgrade. It is not a foolproof procedure, but better than just picking a system based on price or looks.
Just as a final remark, my advice is not geared towards demeaning a true classic receiver as the Fisher. Yet, if I was asked for comments as to how to go about setting up a dedicated headphone vinyl rig, this is my opinion.
"Amicalement"