At £999, this is right in line with the Phono-1’s launch-era pricing of about £1,000, so on used terms it reads as fair rather than cheap. For a current Vertere stage, that’s sensible money if the unit is complete and healthy; it is not an obvious bargain, but it also isn’t ambitious for the brand and spec.
The appeal is real: Vertere’s phono stages are widely praised for clarity, air, timing, and fine detail, with strong cartridge matching thanks to the generous gain/loading options. If this is a clean, original-owner piece with the proper PSU, packaging, and no fiddly issues, it should be a very worthwhile buy for someone who values a lively, highly resolved presentation. At this level, I’d just confirm cartridge compatibility settings and that all sockets, switches, and the power supply are behaving properly.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.